Linux Life Episode 65
Hello ladies and gentlemen to my ongoing quest in the world of Linux. Well since we last were here I have changed the i7 potato from Manjaro to Archman Linux. Reason being I was trying to get Manjaro to build Vectr as I used to regularly use Xara Studio on Windows so I thought I would look at it.
However it was having an issue with Pango. So I went to use the git version. Which was more in line with the requirements but when it removed the main Pango program it then removed half of the main programs of the OS and broke itself rather than making me aware of such it just removed like half of the programs it uses.
So word of warning do not play about with Pango on Manjaro or you will totally wreck your system without any immediate warning of what damage it can do.
I have installed Archman Linux Mate for now on the i7 potato and for now decided against installing Vectr from the AUR. The i7 desktop still has Manjaro running on it but to be honest I don't know how long that will last.
I'm sure people are thinking I should just find a distro and stick to it rather than playing around and breaking stuff. Well nine times out of ten I end up breaking something on the account of trying to find new items to look at. If I didn't find things of interest then this blog would be very short.
So it's swings and roundabouts I guess. In order to try new software sometimes you risk buggering up your entire system. However what's the fun in having a big standard setup with no risks. It's all part of the game.
I'm sure I should set up something like Time Machine or whatever the equivalent is called. I know Mint created one for the Linux community but I have yet to use it. I really should so I have a backup of a working system in case things keel over but sadly I don't have enough hard drives with large capacity available to me to do such.
However that would mean I have a long term plan which nine times out of ten I don't. Most of the time I just see something of interest, attempt to install it, break something, then have to spend time sorting out my system to put it right.
Well that's when things go wrong but most times things install without issue. I guess I'm not as organised as I probably should be. Anyway I'm waffling so moving onto the next item.
So this time I have decided to look at two platformer type of games for some amusement. The first is Secret Maryo Chronicles.
As you can see from the screenshot is a Mario type clone but it has its own little character instead of the titular plumber. If you have played a 2D Mario game then there is no real surprises here.
It's a good little time waster and includes plenty of levels to keep you amused. It's available at secretmaryo.org or maybe it will be in your software repository.
I had to download the git version from the AUR which is a Version 2 build as I could not get the original 1.9 to build due to source issues. But you may have more luck with that one than I did but worth a look in any case.
Next up is Retux...
Have you ever played SuperTux? Want more levels and new challenges then Retux is the game for you.
Basically you play Tux and the Snow King has imposed a Fish Tax on the world. This is also a 2D Mario style platformer just with lots of ice and snow.
Retux has taken the existing SGE Engine used by SuperTux and with added python scripts has managed to add in a variety of extra features such as hazards and power-ups.
If you have played SuperTux it is nice to see someone extending it adding 41 new levels. If you haven't not a huge issue as it's more than playable without knowing the previous story.
You now have a health bar as opposed to the usual one or two hit kill of the previous one. There are a few new power-ups and more things to probably either intrigue you or drive you insane. Also secret areas are more prevalent so be on the look out
Also I'd you are feeling creative you can create new levels using the Tiled map editor. So Retux breathes a new life into the SuperTux world.
If you want to check it out you can download it from retux.nongnu.org
Well that's it for this episode, short and sweet for a change. So until next time...take care.
