Welcome to Puli 8.1

Puli 8.1 is a member of the Puppy Linux family: a high security, "kiosk" flavor of Puppy forum members' FossaPup64, intended to boot from a USB pendrive and run safely even if the boot device is unplugged.

Puli supports booting various software combinations by multiple users on many hardware using the same boot device.

The preferred kernel version for this 64-bit Puli is 6.1.6 or higher. Links to other 64-bit kernel packages (vmlinuz, zdrv_pulix.x, and fdrv_pulix.x files) can be found at SourceForge.net, and in Section "V. Useful links" below.

This is a static Help file. If you need more details, feel free to browse the Puli forum.
Vielen Dank, oui, für die deutsche Roh-Übersetzung.
Earlier barks of Puli have been discussed at http://murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=96964 and at http://murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=88691

The Puppy Linux Project was established by Barry Kauler in 2003. See legal notice at the bottom of this page.

Special thanks to John Murga, 666philb, smokey01, pemasu, S-kami, Kros54, Ticoo, Sylvander, ozsouth, members of Puppy Linux forums, and to my colleagues, including ethical hackers who helped me with their feedback about Puli.
Kudos to my friend László Fekete for the "brown puli" background pictures. They are under copyright protection and can be used exclusively with reference to/within the Puli software.

Have fun!

Regards,
gjuhasz

 

I. How to install Puli on a USB pendrive:

If you are an experienced Linux user, consider installing Puli by following the steps written in Appendix A.

However, as many users (still) have Windows XP/7/8/10 only, here I describe a "one-finger-one-minute" method to create a working Puli pendrive in Windows:
 

1. Download Puli and LiLi

  a. Puli and its updates are available at SourceForge.net in form of compressed files in Puli-(version) subfolders. Download the Puli_install.zip file from the Puli-64bit/Puli-8.1 subfolder.

  b. Download the latest version of LinuxLive USB Creator from http://www.linuxliveusb.com. Alternatively, you can find an earlier but well working version from smokey01.com/gjuhasz/LiLi. 

2. Create the Puli pendrive.

Plug in the pendrive (recommended capacity: 4 GB or bigger). Warning! It will be wiped during the install process! Run LiLi. Complete the install steps from top to down as follows:

  Step 1: Choose your pendrive in the selection box (be careful - do not select another drive accidentally)

  Step 2: Choose a source - click on the ISO/IMG/ZIP icon and select the Puli_install.zip file

  Step 3: Select Live Mode in the Persistence pane

  Step 4: Tick only the second (Format the key in FAT32) box

  Step 5: Click the lightning icon. The installation takes about 25-30 seconds. In the below picture, you see the LiLi interface before the installation starts and after it has finished.

  Step 6: You can download some useful software, e.g., browser(s), Java runtime (jre) environment, Office packages, wine, etc. (See the proposed 64-bit packages linked from the packages folder of the SourceForge repo. Take a look at the proposed closed source packages referenced in the +externals.txt file). Download the selected ones and put them into the /packages folder of your boot pendrive. The "i" icons in the SourceForge repo display validation files, too (sha and/or md5), so you may check the downloaded stuff if you want. Note that you may find newer versions on the download page of their distributor but they have not been tested with Puli. See the Useful links section below.

3. Unmount the pendrive. You are ready, Puli is installed.

4. Before rebooting your machine from the Puli pendrive

   a. I recommend to read the following sections, too.
   b. If you know what to do, you may configure some startup parameters in syslinux.cfg and /env-0/puli.cfg  right now.
   c. Give Puli a go!


If Puli does not boot

Ensure that the BIOS/UEFI allows booting from USB device. Some newer machines need reconfiguring the boot order every time when they are switched on.

 

II. Puli in a nutshell:

1. Boot-up the PC from the USB pendrive pre-installed with Puli.

   a. When asked, log in as root.

   b. At the first login, type root as password. (Later you can change it and save it for next logins).

2. The Session Setup dialog pops up.

   a. Check whether timezone, numlock, timesync, hwclock, firewall, locale, and keyboard, etc., are suitable for this session and change them if needed. Your changes in this dialog affect the current session but you can preserve them for the future sessions, too.

   b. You may right-click the Volume tray icon, select Full window and check/adjust Capture, Mic boost, etc.

3. The USB pendrive gets unmounted. Consider pulling it out when the popup message reminds you.

4. Before you finish, be sure that you left no data on the PC.

5. There are different methods to save your work on the (replugged) USB pendrive:

   a. You can preserve the main settings (including passwords, too) by clicking the Save: smart button on the Shutdown dialog or, within the session, in the dialog of the backup desktop icon.. See the next sections for details of this Smart save feature.

   b. Clicking the "puli-headed" backup icon on the right of the Desktop immediately creates a compressed Puli_backup_YYYY_MM_DD_HH_MM.tar.gz backup file in the /backup folder of the USB pendrive. Backups include Backup description. 

   c. You can decide to create backup at the end of the session, too, by selecting Save: backup on the Shutdown dialog.

 * Note that the password files, the smartloaded packages (installed into /initrd/pup_rw) and the on-the-fly added .sfs files (arrived into the /initr/pup_ro4... ro8 folders) are excluded from the backups.

6. You can restore a previous status from a backup if you open the /backups folder on the pendrive then drag-and-drop a backup file onto the Restore icon next to it. Of course, the selection of the smartloaded packages should be the same as it was previously. You will receive notification about the packages omitted during backup.

7. Puli provides you with a secure environment. It helps you fight against malicious attackers.

  * Be wary of hardware keyloggers. From the tray, open the virtual keyboard and use it any time to enter passwords or other sensitive text. This way your data will not be disclosed.

  * You may start some features, such as Office programs, evince, etc., in offline mode for your security.

  * See more details about the available security profiles in the next sections.

  * It is recommended to change your session password as follows:
     a. Open console
     b. Issue the passwd command and follow the instructions.
     c. At shutdown time, save your environment with smart save. The new password shall be used for future logins. See the next sections for details.

  * If you right-click on a folder, you can encrypt / decrypt its content. See more details in the next section.

III. For advanced users:

1. To have additional packages, browse the content linked from the packages folder of the SourceForge repo and download the selected ones into the /packages folder of your USB pendrive. Among those packages, you can find advanced Office programs, a Java runtime module and other useful software - each of them tested in Puli. 

 2. You probably don't use all downloaded packages in a given session. Puli offers easy selection among them in boot time, with the help of the smartload feature:

  * Together with the built-in Puli packages, you can boot any number of extra .sfs, .pet, .AppImage, .tar.7z, .deb and/or .rpm files simply by referencing their file name in separate lines of the /profiles/Common/smartload file of the USB boot device. See the default smartload file included in the release. Puli seeks those referenced packages in the /packages folder of the boot device and auto-loads them during bootup (in the order of their appearence in the smartload file), before the graphic environment (X) starts. Note that the .tar.7z packages can be encrypted - Puli asks for password at boot time.

  * For example, to smartload SoftMaker FreeOffice, put a softmaker line in smartload file on your USB boot device. (This is a kind of free but licensed software thus you need to register and obtain your personal license at Softmaker Software GmbH. Alternatively, you can use LibreOffice (without registration) by putting a LibreOffice line in smartload file. See the Useful links section below.

  * The AppImage files will be smartloaded to the /opt/AppImages folder. (Puli recognizes the .AppImage, .appImage, .Appimage, and .appimage file extensions in the same way.) The AppImages folder appears as desktop icon (with ",,," label) if populated.

  * AppImages (and other executable files) can be run directly by left-clicking on the filename, or in secure (sandboxed) mode if you right-click their name and select Run in Sandbox in the menu - providing that the firejail package is (smart)loaded.

  * You may have more smartload type files prepared, i.e., smartload, smartloada, smartloadb, etc. Then, you may select one from them during bootup by hitting a character (e.g., a, or b, or c) when asked. If you don't act, the default smartload file will be used. If your selection refers to a non-existing file or you hit space, then the smartload feature is omitted.

3. Other settings:

* You may add boot parameters, e.g., pkeys=hu, to syslinux.cfg on the pendrive (see among the install files with nvidia examples) that will be applied in all cases for all machines you want boot with Puli. 

* In addition, you can define machine specific parameters (timezone, numlock, timesync, hwclock, firewall, plang, pkeys, etc) in the env-<macaddress> folders of the (root of the) boot device. The default folder is env-0, that can be accompanied by various env-001ee4532a23 etc., folders after running Puli on different machines. Those folders will be prepared and filled up in /root/tmp folder by Puli that saves them on the boot device if you select the smart save option at the exit or click on the save "Puli-head" any time.

* For booting Puli on the same machine next time, you don't need to deal with the settings. For example, the default timezone (GMT) will be overwritten with the timezone data of puli.cfg found in the machine specific folder. The applicable timezone codes can be read from /usr/share/zoneinfo, such as Australia/Perth.

* You can place one smartload file in the (root of the) env-<macaddress> folder if you need to load one or more machine specific modules (e.g., nvidia driver) before X starts. For help, an empty smartload file is included in env-0, you only need to (find and) populate its copy in the env-<macaddress> folder. 

* It can happen that some modules need to be / can only be auto-loaded later, within the X environment. Put a plus sign + as the first character in such lines of the selected smartload file (do NOT rename or reassemble the package itself).

* Just after boot-up, the advert-blocker feature updates the /etc/hosts file to block annoying commercials.

* By clicking on different Office files, the appropriate program opens based on MIME type, i.e., abiword gets the .docx files while textmaker handles the .doc; clicking an .xls opens planmaker while .xlsx may invoke gnumeric, etc.

* If the USB boot device includes folders named /patch and/or /profiles/Common folder, then Puli merges their content and copies them in the filesystem (Common: before starting X; patch: after closing the Quicksetup dialog). Therefore, the content of the patch folder may overwrite files that come from Common.

* In the Puli package, you can find tricky security profile examples realized by different file structures. They can be selected/activated by clicking their fantasy-named security profile selector icon (the profile name will be copied into the /patch folder on the pendrive). Those profiles are mainly used during browsing the net:

   Mild-tempered
   a. This is the default security profile, the only profile in which multiple browser windows or even multiple browsers can run simultaneously.

   b. Chrome, Iron, Slimjet, and Vivaldi browsers open here in Incognito mode. I propose to not change this setting.

   c. The network_tray icon becomes red while suspicious connections are active. They are logged in /var/log/suspicious_connections file.

   Rigorous
   a. In this profile, Puli disables all disk drives. Only the boot device remains enabled (it could be plugged out later, when Puli recommends).

   b. Puli barks as soon as suspicious connections are detected (only during browsing). Then, to prevent hacker attacks, updates the firewall's blacklist with the suspicious hosts.

   c. Puli does not release the suspicious host but occupies its available ports in SYN_SENT or similar mode. For details, see profile-specific scripts such as /usr/local/bin/defaultbrowser and /usr/bin/netchecker.

   d. If you accidentally get false alarm(s), move those friendly IP addresses from /etc/suspicious_hosts to /etc/friends file (and update your patch structure accordingly).

   Crazy
   a. According to the profile name, Puli makes hackers crazy. It disables the network periodically to prevent their session become effective. See the details in /usr/bin/netkiller.

   b. Chrome, Iron, Slimjet, and Vivaldi browsers open here in Incognito mode, and you cannot run multiple browsers/browser windows simultaneously. I propose to not change this setting.

   c. Opera browser may fail in this profile if the communication with the selected server is wery slow.

   Lazy
   a. Similar to the mild profile with one tricky exception. While browsing in this unique profile, your lovely Puli becomes lazy and goes asleep. More precisely, the Linux utilities (those in the /bin folder) become inexecutable, preventing a hacker or even a trojan malware to initiate shell scripts or issue commands. In the script behind the lazy profile selector icon on your USB boot device, you can define the full path where you want to run the "disappeared" Linux utilities in lazy mode. You may leave the default /ban/ setting as is, or write a path like lazybin="/usr/share/foo/" (with slash at the end). Of course, you need to re-activate the lazy profile by clicking its profile selector icon, then reboot. Be careful! If you put an existing folder name above, its original content may be overwritten! Warning! Do NOT select a folder from those in the search path!

   b. Chrome, Iron, Slimjet, and Vivaldi browsers open here in Incognito mode, and you cannot run multiple browsers/browser windows simultaneously. I propose to leave this setting "as is".

   c. During an active Lazy session, only a limited feature set, behind icons file, info, edit, write, calc, phone is accessible.

   d. You can temporarily suspend the Lazy status if necessary. Clicking on the rightmost dog icon toggles between the lazy and the mild profiles. While you see a "glowing" mild icon, you can click on the rest of desktop icons, and the menu items.

   e. The drive icons are replaced by an inactive drives icon during browsing in lazy mode. While toggled to glowing mild mode, clicking on the drives icon invokes Pmount.

   f. Warning! Do not unplug any mounted drive while browsing in lazy mode!

   g. It is recommended to (smart)load Firejail. It safely controls Firefox in a sandbox. However, by right-clicking on the desktop and selecting Firefox-spot from the Internet menu, you can run Firefox without activating the lazy features.

   h. If you close the browser in this profile, the Lazy mode is safely terminated. Be patient for a few seconds until the default features are restored (i.e., the drive icon(s) appear again and the dog icon is re-configured for initiating backup).

* It is preferred to browse with the latest version of a properly sandboxed Chromium flavor, or use a modern Mozilla based version.

* Puli supports the following 64-bit browsers (in order of preference, which is NOT the order of quality): Chrome, Iron; SlimJet; Vivaldi; Firefox; Opera; Links2 and runs them by spot user. It is recommended to use the smartload feature for booting them by selecting one of them in the smartload file. (Note that you if you install more than one browsers, they may interact or even block each other). 

* By default, the Chrome, Iron, Slimjet and Vivaldi browsers run in Incognito mode, using common bookmarks and settings. It can happen that later versions (which are recommended anyway) cannot keep this compatibility.

* Due to licensing issues, some Chromium based browsers cannot play mpeg4 videos. In those cases, installing or smartloading extra ffmpeg codecs can be a cure. Links of some extra ffmpeg packages are available in the packages folder.

* In all profiles except Lazy, clicking the info icon invokes the preferenced browser (in case of the Chromium-based browsers, in non-accelerated, Normal mode). If nothing selected, the Links browser appears. It is configured for smart media recognition capabilities.

* You can find a relatively new Firefox version from my packages folder. Puli supports updating it to the latest version. If Firefox notifies you about an official update, simply download the new .tar.bz2 package and click on it. The /opt/firefox folder will contain the latest version. If you like it, you can replace the previous Firefox (also .tar.bz2) package with the just downloaded one in the /packages folder of your USB boot device.

* The Chromium based bowsers are configured to run within their own sandbox. If Firefox is the default browser and Firejail is installed, then clicking the "web" and "chat" desktop icons always open Firefox in sandboxed mode. Note that the "help" icon forces sandboxed Firefox only in the lazy profile. As written above, you can always select the mode you need for Firefox from the desktop's right-click menu.

* Parental control: Append IP addresses or even domain names (e.g., 1.2.3.4 and/or somename.com) as separate lines to the /etc/suspicious_hosts file (of course, copy it into your favorite patch structure on the UBS pendrive, together with /etc/friends). Puli interprets them and feeds the blacklist automatically.

* If you right-click on a folder, you can encrypt / decrypt its content with the menu items. I propose storing your sensitive files in /root/my-documents/Secret/ folder which is encrypted (with AES 256 and password "root") by default. Of course, it is strongly recommended to change the default password to your one at your earliest convenience. The encryption-related options can be found in the dialogs behind the right-click menu items. Note that the Secret folder will be automatically unmounted (i.e., its content toggled to encrypted status) if you create a backup or select smartsave.

* If you connected an MTP (Media Transfer Protocol)-capable device (e.g. a mobile phone) via USB cable but the device is not recognized automatically, open a terminal window and issue mtp+. Now, you can access the device thru the /root/MTP folder. If you finished, issue mtp- before disconnecting the USB cable.

 

 IV. For enthusiasts:

You may need to customize Puli if you want to use the (copy of the) same boot device for multiple computers. Puli supports this in many ways as follows. But keep in mind that different computers' settings can be incompatible with each other thus their settings should be stored separately, i.e., in different environment folders on the boot device.

* The naming convention for the environment folders is: env-<macaddress> where macaddress is a 12-position hexadecimal number, for example, env-0123456789ab. Puli recognizes whether the name of one environment folder matches with the given machine at boot time. If no matching folder found, it will be created in /root/tmp using the content of the env-0 folder and your actual settings (and will be saved at shutdown time if you select Save:smart)

*  You can select a smartload file during the boot process, earliest after the purple "copying to ram" text appears, but latest in 5 seconds after you see the "Press a key to smartload a package set..." message. You can hit "a" if you want to apply the content of smartloada, or hit "b" to apply smartloadb, etc. If you don't hit any key, then the smartload file (without any postfix) will be applied.

* The auto-loaded files are merged into the /initrd/pup_rw folder in the following order: first, the content of the Common folder, then the content of the environment<macaddress> folder, then the content of the smartloaded files (starting with those in the environment-specific smartload then the rest in the order of their appearence), then the content of the security profile, then the content of the postXload stuff, and finally the content of the patch folder. That is, you can overwrite a just-loaded file with another one, e.g., files loaded from /Common folder with files loaded from /patch folder, etc., but each overwrite their counterpart in /initrd/pup_ro2. Puli uses the rsync -a command for this.

* Note that although Puli can accept .rpm files, they may need additional libraries to run properly.

* The selectable firewall can be either strong or lite. If you need to create a different firewall, you may set up the firewall rules manually then put them in (the /etc/rc.d folder of) your patch structure. Later, you can easily recognize the active one based on the color of the tray icon (green = strong-Puli version, yellow = lite-Puli version, blue = user-configured, red or no icon = no firewall). Click on the firewall icon to select the firewall runtime.

* In the Session Setup dialog, you can decide whether the current session settings are valid for the future sessions, too.

* After login (more specifically, after you click OK on the QuickSetup window in the X environment), files in the /root/Startup folder are executed (notice the autostart link there). Intentionally, the Puli-specific zsupp script is the last one amongst them. Of course, you can amend it and put in the boot device's /patch folder to replace its default version.

* As in other Puppies, you may install five additional .sfs files on-the-fly later (into /initrd/pup_ro4 ... /initrd/pup_ro8). However, Puli offers a workaround if you need to load more than five .sfs files on-the-fly. Menu item Setup > Merge SFS files gets (based on their alphabetical order) the *.sfs files found in /root folder, then merges them into /root/puli.sfs. Move it to the pendrive and reference it as a single item to load/unload it using the Settings > SFS-Load menu item from the desktop.

* In contrast to other puppies, you cannot save your session as puli.2fs on the USB pendrive or elsewhere. Instead, use the backup desktop icon or the Save: backup option at the Shutdown dialog. Note that the auto-loaded extra packages are not included in the backup file thus you may need to use the same smartload file next time to restore the same environment.

* As already mentioned, you can save some session settings to auto-load them next time by clicking the Save: smart button either in the Shutdown dialog or, within the session, in the dialog of the backup desktop icon. If clicked, then the control files within the /smartsave folder will be executed. Note that some Puli-specific .pet or .sfs packages may add their own control files to the /smartsave folder on the boot device as /profiles/Common/smartsave. See the built-in commands in the default.smartsave and preservesettings.smartsave files within the /smartsave/ folder.

* If you are experienced enough, you may activate the restore_latest.pet package by the appropriate row in your smartload file. With these settings the latest backup will be auto-restored at boot time. Note that cumulative backups are possible, i. e., you may restore more backup files after each other, even those created in different security setups on different machines. Puli tries to manage this, and sends warning messages if needed. You may see unforeseen behavior in extreme cases, however.

* Beyond the above mentioned dynamically changing "latest" backup, you can auto-restore another "fixed" backup, too. For this, activate the restore_fixed.pet package in your smartload file. With these settings, Puli will seek a backup file placed in the /backups/fixed folder of the boot device to auto-restore it at boot time. Note that this is independent from the restore_latest feature, so you can apply them even together if needed. Restoring backups begin after the security profile is in place. Note that no security profile will be restored from backups.

* From the Settings menu, you can overwrite the security profile (force mild; force rigorous; force crazy) to replace the preset security profile with another one.

* You may refresh the puli_8.1.sfs file, e.g., to update it with the content of the actual patch structure:

   a. Ensure that the pendrive is plugged in (either mounted or unmounted).

   b. Open a terminal and issue refresh

   c. The temporary files are in the /root/squashfs-root folder. When the script asks for this, you can manually edit the content of /root/squashfs-root, update it with patch files, etc. Be careful with adding new links: relative links should not point out of the /ro ot/squashfs-root folder.

   d. Wait until all operations are finished.

* The shrink script does the same as refresh except that it calls the Remove Builtin Files utility before writing back to the USB pendrive. The temporary files are in the /root/squashfs-root folder. You can manually edit the content there when the script asks for this.

* Clicking some icons open built-in or smartloaded programs based on their preference order. You can change the preferences in the /usr/local/bin/defaultxxx files of the given profile(s). For example, the write desktop icon may have this preference order to open: LibreOffice, SoftMaker FreeOffice, Abiword - depending on which one is installed; the paint desktop icon may havepreference order as: Gimp, Mypaint, LazPaint, nomacs, mtpaint. The draw desktop icon may have this preference order to open: Inkscape, AzDrawing, Inklite; the record desktop icon has this preference order to open: SimpleScreenRecorder, XvidCap - the latter is the default. The phone desktop icon has this preference order to open: Skype, https://appear.in, xchat, etc. Note that usage of https://appear.in is limited in some browser versions because they do not allow camera/mic in WebRTC API.

* There are powerful web applications that work for most desktop browsers and replace the standard MS Teams, Zoom, Skype, Teamviewer, etc packages. See the collection of their links (together with other useful web services) in the Puli tab of Chrome and Firefox

* The zip desktop icon opens PackIt. Xarchive remains available via the menus.

* Notice that some common Puppy utilities, e.g., default applications chooser, have been removed in favor of the Puli specific features.

* Notice also that the .DirIcon of the selected profile folder appears on the Desktop as backup icon.

* As mentioned above, Puli can disable all disk drives, except the boot device, by the /usr/bin/diskdrop script. This function is forced in the Rigorous profile during boot time but neutralized in the rest of profiles (by an empty diskdrop script in their /usr/bin folder). You can try to restore the disabled drives with the /usr/bin/diskrise script, which needs the boot device be plugged in.

* Warning! Puli detaches the pendrive at the end of the shutdown process to prevent the dirty bit set. Some machines remember this detached status until they are physically removed. In this case, unplug the pendrive after Shutdown. Never fix the dirty bit within Windows! Puli resets it next time during the bootup process.

* To accelerate the boot process, some Windows versions do not fully shut down by default. Instead, they actually hibernate. Thus, their NTFS filesystem appears as read-only in Puli (as in all Linux flavors). If you need to write to their NTFS partition from Puli, either permanently change the default power options of your Windows (alternatively, you may keep pressed the Shift button while selecting Shutdown in your Windows X.

* By default, the Windows-encrypted drives are inaccessible. You may download and try Linux-based decrypting programs such as dislocker.

* Some USB install tools, other than LiLi, do not accept .zip files. In this case, simply rename the Puli_install.zip file to Puli_install.iso. This renamed file will be accepted for installation.

* The Puli package includes the folders/files for booting in UEFI mode. 

* Some machines can contain a Linux swap partition. You can create a Linux swap on your hard disk (e.g., using gparted). The swap is preferably the same or twice the size of the memory. There is no reason to configure a swap bigger than 4 GB. The autoswp line in the /root/Startup/zsupp script automatically loads the swap partition. If you don't want swapping in some machines due to the sensitive data you work with, comment this line and put the modified zsupp file to the /env-<macaddress>/root/Startup/ folder(s) on your boot device, then reboot Puli.

* You can try to he 32-bit Puli 6.2.0 for older machines (kernels preferred: k3.14.79non-PAE or k3.14.56PAE).

* If you want to switch on/off the touchpad, exit to prompt (e.g., press CTRL-ALT-BACKSPACE) then type touchpad on or touchpad off then return to X with the startx command.

* If your system freezes, e.g., you installed an incompatible package and some desktop icons are missing / work incorrectly, try to open a command window and type 911 (or 112) there. Even if this helps, save your work to a different pendrive and then shut down the machine.

V. Useful links

• Link to proposed additional packages for Puli. Select the 32-bit thread if you run a 32-bit Puli version.

• Link to 64-bit kernel versions including vmlinuz, zdrv_pulix.x, and fdrv_pulix.x files in separate subfolders. Newer hardware may need higher kernel versions and bigger fdrv files.

• Puppy forum (huge collection of HOWTOs, ideas, and installable packages)

• Old Puppy forum

• You can find 32 and 64 bit Puppy Linux packages (programs, drivers, etc) here

• How to edit Microsoft documents

• Multimedia (graphics, sound, video)

• Regular expressions (what are they, how to use them)

• Printing

• UI internationalization (Supporting non-English languages)

• Extra ffmpeg codecs for chromium flavors such as Slimjet or Vivaldi (Earlier extra ffmpeg codec versions may not work with the latest browser)

• Common CA certificates (You can browse this link for the latest ones - tha ca-certificates associated with the newest Ubuntu versions may be OK for browsers such as Netsurf or Links)

• USB install tools (Some of them are Linux based, others are created for Windows only)

Appendix A. How to install Puli in Linux environment

In the first section above, I described an easy method for installing Puli in Windows XP/7/8/10 environment. For an experienced Linux user having root privileges, the below solution is also easy and straightforward.

1. Create a bootable pendrive

   a. Put a 4 GB or higher capacity USB pendrive to a free USB slot. Warning! It will be wiped during the install process!

Before rebooting your machine from the pendrive

   a. You can download some useful packages, e.g., browser(s), Java runtime (jre) environment, Office packages, wine, etc. (See the proposed packages linked from my packages folder. Take a look at the proposed closed source packages referenced in the +externals.txt file). Put the downloaded ones into the /packages folder of your boot pendrive. Note that you may find newer versions at the download page of their distributor. See also the Useful links section above.
   b. I recommend to read the above sections, too.
   c. If you know what to do, you may configure some startup parameters in syslinux.cfg and in puli.cfg right now.
You are ready. Puli is installed. Give it a go!

If Puli does not boot

Ensure that the BIOS/UEFI allows booting from USB device. Some newer machines need reconfiguring the boot order every time when they are switched on.
 

Appendix B. Declarations

Note that although Puppy Linux has Busybox, which is a very small toolkit of utility applications, in some cases they do not have the required functionality and are replaced by the full versions. The main replacements include: modprobe, cat, cp, df, gzip, gunzip, losetup, ls, mkdir, mv, rm, sed, sort, tar, wget, date, find, grep, fgrep, egrep, etc.

It is hard to even list the trademarks and licenses owned by Microsoft (R), (TM) - related to their Windows (R), (TM) releases and to other software - please read their legal sections carefully and use only licensed instances.

Note that Puppy Linux applications are open source and under various GPL licences, however there are a few exceptions.

SoftMaker FreeOffice: The licence description is available at /opt/freeoffice/license.txt. Free Edition is just that, free, no embedded adverts, with restrictions decsribed in the license description. I would like to do the right thing by the developer, Softmaker Software GmbH, though, and recommend that you consider the full edition of SoftMaker FreeOffice.

Some releases of Puppy have the Opera web browser, which is closed source but free.

Legal notice:
I, Barry Kauler, established the 'Puppy Linux Project' in January 2003, first website and product release 18-June-2003, and I have trademark claim to the name and typed drawing of 'Puppy Linux', 'PuppyOS' and 'Puppy' as it relates to "computer operating system software to facilitate computer use and operation", under Federal and International Common Law and Trademark Laws as appropriate.
Programs in Puppy are open source (except where noted above), and licences of individual products are duly acknowledged. The name Puppy Linux", also known as "Puppy" and "PuppyOS", and all artistic creations thereof, are copyright (c) 2003,2004,2005,2006,2007,2008,2009 Barry Kauler -- further details in the online FAQ.

Disclaimer:
Very simple, use entirely at your own risk. Barry Kauler accepts no liability or responsibility whatsoever, and you use Puppy with this understanding.