Navigatrix.net - The First Linux Distribution for Cruisers

[wadda]

Out of the rain soaked jungles of Panama emerges Navigatrix - the first Linux distribution for cruisers

This is the pre-release release. The mastermind behind the project wanted to tame it even more because it still might kill the novice......but it fall into my hands. More info at : http://www.wadda.org/navigatrix

Placed on a bootable 4 gig USB stick or flash card it gives the cruiser the common electronic tools normally used offshore in a fast, efficient package.

Tides, moving chart navigation/planning, weather fax, and email via HF radio.

With a minor modification to your VHF radio you can plug'n'play AIS with Opencpn.

If you think you can handle it; download the installer, the iso, and make a boot disk. (It should work....no really it should.)

If you want to wait for a better version. You can wait....but I don't know why you would.

http://www.wadda.org/navigatrix

[wadda]

The Windows Navigatrix installer has been updated.

You should just be able to to download the installer and follow the 1-2-3 easy dance steps.

http://www.wadda.org/navigatrix

[witzgall]

Have you looked into porting Winmor over at some point?

Chris

[wadda]

That is an excellent idea.

Just a few days ago two boats left for hither and beyond. They would have benefited from this.

It's on the to do list. When I get access to the program I'll check Wine compatibility and hunt for some linux code.

Thanks for your input.

[wadda]

Some people have experienced DNS Errors when trying to download the Navigatrix Installer, The Navigatrix iso, or use the installer to fetch the iso.

On http://www.wadda.org/navigatrix the URLs have been changed to minimize the chance something will go wrong.

If you've experience DNS Errors;

For the Windows Navigatrix Installer try:

http://91.189.89.204/p/B4t/
http://91.189.89.205/p/B4t/

...and chances are the very rectangular "Download" button on the installer won't be able to find the iso either.

You can manually download it at either:

http://91.189.89.204/p/Ayr/
http://91.189.89.205/p/Ayr/

For facility, place it in the same directory that the installer is located; insert the USB stick, and click away.

Feedback is appreciated.

[imagine2frolic]

One just never who they will run into here at CF....HI wadda.......i2f

[wadda]

Originally Posted by imagine2frolic

One just never who they will run into here at CF....HI wadda.......i2f

This is why you should be nice to the bum on the street...you never know who you're talking to. Surprise-surprise.

Since you're back in the area, if you're still interested in modifying your VHF to overlay AIS data in Opencpn. That can be done while you're here.

You'll need a patch cord long enough for your needs. There are a few 10K ohm resistors floating around the anchorage. And if not too much beer is drunk it's a a half hour project.

With this latest version of Navigatrix you tune your radio to 87/8 and plug it in to the mic jack on the computer....and it works.

Next time you're at the Shopette I'll talk to your tech support about creating a Navigatrix USB stick, or you can go to http://www.wadda.org/navigatrix and follow the links; do it, and tell me later.

Good luck with your medical tests.

[wadda]

Originally Posted by wadda

It's on the to do list. When I get access to the program I'll check Wine compatibility and hunt for some linux code.

So far the Winmor windows program doesn't like Wine. I might not have been holding my tongue in the right spot, but I couldn't get it to work...yet.

The Winmor protocol being implemented in an open-source and cross platform implimentation is being worked on by a few people who are definitely smarter than I am so I'll just have to wait and cheer them on from the side.

However, the word I hear is that in early stages but they are optimistic.

In the meantime we are looking into other forms 'pskmail' and the like. But they present another set of problems. We'll hope to be doing some testing in the next few weeks.

[zeglarz]

New version of Navigatrix is on the website:
Navigatrix.net • The First Linux Distribution for Cruisers

[HotRod]

What is navigatrix based on?

[wadda]

Originally Posted by HotRod

What is navigatrix based on?

It's based on a wish and a dream.

I had the opportunity to meet one of the developers when I was in Panama.

He wanted a system that he would use and that he could give to his friends who didn't know how to configure everything or didn't want to spend the time configuring everything...just plug it in and it works.

It is suppose to be a linux distribution that just works for cruisers and folks who float using as much open source software as possible. A notable exception is Airmail, as you know it's free (as in beer), but not open source. If there were an open source alternative I suspect the distribution would change.

...but to answer you question.

It appears to be mostly a modified Ubuntu-Debian with a hint of Mint with openbox WM and LXDE for lightness and speed.

The last I checked it was tied to 10.4LTS. Some .deb packages were blocked from upgrades to keep stuff from breaking.

[HotRod]

After doing some testing I found it a bit unstable on a few of my computers, but ran pretty stable on another computer.
I cannot recommend people to run this system from USB as it require some work on expanding system partition to make room for e.g. additional language packs and system programs...

It really feels good, but feels like a stripped/lighter Ubuntu...
I will however give it some more time, and also do some testing while installed on a harddrive.

[wadda]

Originally Posted by HotRod

After doing some testing I found it a bit unstable on a few of my computers, but ran pretty stable on another computer.
I cannot recommend people to run this system from USB as it require some work on expanding system partition to make room for e.g. additional language packs and system programs...

It really feels good, but feels like a stripped/lighter Ubuntu...
I will however give it some more time, and also do some testing while installed on a harddrive.

Navigatrix is designed to run off a 4GB external memory, or via a hard drive installation.

While it can be adapted to larger external media (8GB in your case; some 32GB), additional language packs, and alteration of system programs such as you have...I wouldn't recommend doing that for the faint of heart either.

...but for 4GB, stock language, no mods, it's as stable as any Linux distribution using LXDE, Openbox in a LiveCD format.

[Surveyor]

Is there an ETA on an update incorporating OpenCPN 2.5?

[HotRod]

Originally Posted by wadda

...but for 4GB, stock language, no mods, it's as stable as any Linux distribution using LXDE, Openbox in a LiveCD format.

Well, I have started trying to modify this package to better suit users like me - I do not like restrictions...
I wan't to be able to add or remove stuff...

I would like to change this product to the better for the community...

The biggest issue I have with Navigatrix USB is that the "drives" root and home are way to small. Root does not have room for any additions like additional language packs...
I have tried a few suggestions to enlarge these "drives", but with no luck.

For a 4GB memory stick this is probably ok, but more and more people use bigger sticks...

I would like these "drives" to be "fill to maximum available space" instead of persistent size...

The abillity to run a whole system from the memstick is super, but come in mind that it has to be versatile to grab many users attention.

I run the Norwegian OpenCPN website and have had a few wishes thrown on the table... I really wish to fullfill these wishes, and the faster the better...

Navigatrix has done a good job so far, but I think it has bigger boots to fill... (without becomming fat and slow)...
Don't put to much stuff on it - let the users do that...

Originally Posted by wadda

While it can be adapted to larger external media (8GB in your case; some 32GB)

If you have managed to do this, I really want to know how you did this...
- No problem getting it onto such a big stick, but to utillize it with both /root and /home... That have been my issue...
Tried many recipes, but no luck so far...