MX Linux

Introduction to MX Linux

MX Linux is a distribution of Linux, which is Debian Stable-based and uses the components of core antiX, with other software packaged and created by the MX community. The MX Linux development is a combined effort between the former MEPIS and antiX communities. In MX's title, M stands for MEPIS, and X stands for antiX, which is an acceptance of their roots.

The stated goal of the community is to generate "a family of OSes that are developed to collaborate efficient and elegant desktops with solid performance and high stability".

MX Linux utilizes Xfce as the primary desktop environment, and it includes a free-standing version of KDE Plasma and Fluxbox implementation in 2021. Other environments can be included or are existed as "spin-off" ISO images.

Version History of MX Linux

Initially, MX Linux was represented as the antiX version. It got its DistroWatch page and the release of the initial public MX-16 beta on 2 November 2016.

The MX-14 series was Debian Stable-based "Wheezy" with Xfce 4.0. The MX-14 versions were designed to fit on a CD, which restricted the total applications that could be added.
The MX-15 series moved to the Debian Stable-based "Jessie" with systemd-shim. It means that systemd is already installed, but sysvinit is the default init. The size restriction was lifted, allowing the developers to represent a complete turnkey product. Substantial development of MX tools took place.
Still, the MX-16 series was Debian Stable-based "Jessie" but with several applications added from additional sources. Further, there were improvements in the MX tools.
The MX-16.1 series collected every improvement and bug fixe since MX-16, including new streamlined and upgraded MX tools, kingfisher theme, new translations, and revised documentation.
The MX-17 series modified its base to Stretch (Debian 9) and brought new MX tools, upgraded artwork, developed Lice operation by antiX, and some other changes.
The MX-18 series continued the MX tool development, introduced a kernel, allowed full disk encryption, and included GRUB themes.
The MX-19 series upgraded its base to Buster (Debian 10) and Xfce 4.14 as its default desktop. It's characterized by revised and new tools, documentation, artwork, technical features, and localization.
The MX-21 series was published on 21 October 2021. It is Bullseye-based (Debian 11.0) and available as Fluxbox, KDE, or Xfce versions.
The MX-21.1 series was published on 9 April 2022. It is also Bullseye-based (Debian 11.3) and available as Fluxbox, KDE, Xfce AHS, or Xfce versions.
The MX-21.2 series was published on 28 August 2022. It is Bullseye-based (Debian 11.4) and available as Fluxbox, KDE, Xfce AHS, or Xfce versions.
The MX-21.2.1 series was published on 18 September 2022. It is Bullseye-based (Debian 11.5) and available as Fluxbox, KDE, Xfce AHS, or Xfce versions. It adds the recent Grub-PC updates of Debian.
The MX-21.3 third series was a refreshed version of the MX-21. It was published on 14 January 2023. It is Debian 11.6-based with new kernels, bug fixes, and various application updates. It is available as Fluxbox, KDE, Xfce AHS, or Xfce (4.18) versions.

Desktop environments of MX Linux

MX Linux includes four desktop versions, which are listed and explained below:

Xfce is the default medium-low and fast resource desktop environment. The 64-bit and 32-bit versions are also available. Revision 4.18 was published on 15 December 2022. This update through 4.16 will be transferred to the users of MX-21.x mid-January 2023.
Fluxbox is a very low-resource usage version. First, this edition was published on 21 October 2021. The 64-bit and 32-bit versions are also available.
KDE is a 64-bit version. It is the AHS (Advanced Hardware Support) MX version providing the KDE/Plasma desktop. Currently, it offers an LTS Linux 5.10.x kernel. First, this edition was published on 16 August 2020.
AHS is a 64-bit version. It provides the 5.18 or newer kernel, newer graphics drivers, and firmware for recent hardware.

Features of MX Linux

MX Linux contains some basic tools, such as a graphic installer that manages UEFI systems, a GUI-based technique to modify the Linux kernel, and some other core programs.

It contains MX tools, a set of user-oriented utilities, several of which were specifically developed for MX, while a few were forked through old antiX applications. Also, these tools are present in many Linux distributions that are based on Debian Stable. A few primary tools are listed below: