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What to Run MX on that is low resource os?
Posted: Wed 17 Jun 2020 12:03 am
by David9723
Is there a point and click OS that is lighter than windows to run MX on? I do have a raspberry pi maybe i could install ubuntu or something or should i just stick with windows.

Re: What to Run MX on that is low resource os?
Posted: Wed 17 Jun 2020 5:20 am
by HansR
Well, if you are asking: get rid of Windows, install Raspbian and CMX on the RPi (yes any Linux will do but Raspbian has been tried and tested) and let it run 24 hrs/day. Some people say you need to reboot daily, but I reboot only every two weeks and even that looks as if it's not required. Of course you would need to use gnome (or similar) for the point and click but CMX is a commandline program so don't expect too much pointing and clicking with CMX. If it's only for CMX, just go for the commandline. But I think that would be the same as under Windows.
I am happy with it (without gnome that is)
Re: What to Run MX on that is low resource os?
Posted: Wed 17 Jun 2020 9:45 am
by mcrossley
I only reboot my rPi when I perform a big update - usually every 6 months, sometimes sooner, sometimes later. The longest I left it running was 11 months and there were no issues, I just thought it was time for an update. The same pi also runs two web sites and my MySQL database (well MariaDB to be precise).
People who have to reboot every day have something seriously wrong I think?
Like Hans I run without a GUI, to reduces the footprint, complexity, and update requirements.
Re: What to Run MX on that is low resource os?
Posted: Wed 17 Jun 2020 10:56 am
by sutne
I agree with HansR and mcrossley that a Raspberry running Raspbian is probably the best solution for CumulusMX, and there is no need for regular reboots.
My Raspberry 3+ is placed in a cabin up in the mountains, so I have the need for remote control. Therefore I have Raspbian with GUI. It has RealVNC included so I can access it from anywhere with desktop possibilities.
And I do not understand why some choose the Zero version. According to some instructions in this forum, the Zero’s low performance makes more trouble than you save in money.
Re: What to Run MX on that is low resource os?
Posted: Wed 17 Jun 2020 11:07 am
by David9723
I don't know anything about command line is why i was looking for point and click solution.
MX has been great on Win 10 Pro.
BTW what is CMX?

Re: What to Run MX on that is low resource os?
Posted: Wed 17 Jun 2020 11:22 am
by sfws
David9723 wrote: ↑Wed 17 Jun 2020 11:07 am
BTW what is CMX?
Some people abbreviate
Cumulus MX to MX, others abbreviate to CMX!
Re: What to Run MX on that is low resource os?
Posted: Wed 17 Jun 2020 11:44 am
by David9723
sfws wrote: ↑Wed 17 Jun 2020 11:22 am
David9723 wrote: ↑Wed 17 Jun 2020 11:07 am
BTW what is CMX?
Some people abbreviate
Cumulus MX to MX, others abbreviate to CMX!
oh okay i should have know that! Does it matter what version of Raspberry Pi OS i use? There are 3 to pick from. Lite, full desktop, etc
Re: What to Run MX on that is low resource os?
Posted: Wed 17 Jun 2020 1:01 pm
by sutne
Does it matter what version of Raspberry Pi OS i use? There are 3 to pick from. Lite, full desktop, etc
Not really.
I advise with desktop, but the others says lite, so it is up to you want you want.
Re: What to Run MX on that is low resource os?
Posted: Wed 17 Jun 2020 2:23 pm
by Herbaldew
If all you want is CumulusMX, you do NOT need the "Raspberry Pi OS (32-bit) with desktop and recommended software".
So that narrows the choice to "Raspberry Pi OS (32-bit) with desktop" or "Raspberry Pi OS (32-bit) Lite".
"Lite" does not have a GUI. The access to it that I am familiar with is via SSH using a program call PuTTY. All interactions are in a DOS like box using command line commands.
The "with desktop" is as the name implies, it has a Windows like desktop. It also has an included program called "VNC Server" - install "VNC Viewer" on your Windows machine and you can connect to your Raspberry Pi and see its desktop (the screenshot below is looking at my Raspberry Pi this way on my Windows machine).
For clarity, the term "Raspbian" is used in this thread - that was the term previously used for "Raspberry Pi OS" until the most recent release a couple weeks ago.

Re: What to Run MX on that is low resource os?
Posted: Wed 17 Jun 2020 2:29 pm
by mcrossley
The GUI is to be recommended if you are not comfortable with driving Linux from the command line.
As above - do not get the version "...with recommended bloatware software"
Re: What to Run MX on that is low resource os?
Posted: Wed 17 Jun 2020 2:45 pm
by HansR
Second that: my current machine has all installed. It works fine but 90% is unused ballast which only takes time during updating.
So next time I use lite or the intermediate config.
Re: What to Run MX on that is low resource os?
Posted: Thu 18 Jun 2020 12:26 am
by David9723
I got it up and going pretty simple. What is a easy way to share files between the pi and windows?
Thanks for the help.
Re: What to Run MX on that is low resource os?
Posted: Thu 18 Jun 2020 1:55 am
by galfert
Re: What to Run MX on that is low resource os?
Posted: Thu 18 Jun 2020 2:19 am
by Herbaldew
David9723 wrote: ↑Thu 18 Jun 2020 12:26 am
I got it up and going pretty simple. What is a easy way to share files between the pi and windows?
If you are using Real VNC...there are two places to access the file transfer dialog. To go from Windows to the Pi use the one in the center top with two arrows pointing in each direction (not visible in my screen shot) - to go from the Pi to Windows right clock on the VNC icon near the clock and choose file transfer (is visible in my screen shot).
Re: What to Run MX on that is low resource os?
Posted: Thu 18 Jun 2020 8:18 am
by mcrossley
Another option is to install Samba which allows you to create Windows compatible CIFS file shares. Lots of articles on that, first hit for me...
https://magpi.raspberrypi.org/articles/ ... ile-server