Installer framework Calamares at a glance
Processing Tabs
The nitty-gritty starts in the next tab: partitioning. In the top line, the software shows you whether the medium was booted via the BIOS or UEFI, and whether MBR or GPT was used. You also select the storage device.
In the simplest case, you use the Replace Partition option to take advantage of storage space for the installation without changing the size or the filesystem. You also have the option to erase the disk and install in the space this frees up.
The third path takes you to manual partitioning. This is where you can modify partitions in terms of size, filesystem, mount point and label, or write a new partition table. You can also determine where the bootloader – optionally systemd or GRUB – ends up.
Let Me In
The User tab proves less critical, but still comes with some minor pitfalls. Next to the input fields for names and passwords, there are two checkboxes on the page. One is for automatic login without a password. This is useful for machines that you use on your own, and where you always use the same session.
The second option is the Calamares default, and also the default for some distros, which envisages a password for the main user and root. Here you need to make a conscious decision about what you want to do. If you uncheck the box, this opens up another prompt for a separate administrator password (Figure 6). If you want to change this default value for a distribution to be composed, you will find the parameter in /etc/calamares/modules/users.conf
. You can configure the sudo mechanism there, if necessary.
At a Glance
Below Summary, you again see all the settings you configured and their impact (Figure 7). Before beginning, the Install tab prompts you one last time to make sure that you want to start the process. After confirmation, a bar visualizes the progress of the installation.
During the installation, you can display a kind of slideshow with details of the distribution and configuration. The procedure is usually completed in a couple of minutes. The last tab provides information about completing the installation and prompts you to reboot.
If you are interested in building Calamares itself, or understanding the configuration, the wiki on GitHub [5] will help. You can find the appropriate files below /etc/calamares/
on live media equipped with Calamares.
« Previous 1 2 3 Next »
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Endless OS 6 has Arrived
After more than a year since the last update, the latest release of Endless OS is now available for general usage.
-
Fedora Asahi 40 Remix Available for Macs with Apple Silicon
If you've been anticipating KDE's Plasma 6 for your Apple Silicon-powered Mac, then you're in luck.
-
Red Hat Adds New Deployment Option for Enterprise Linux Platforms
Red Hat has re-imagined enterprise Linux for an AI future with Image Mode.
-
OSJH and LPI Release 2024 Open Source Pros Job Survey Results
See what open source professionals look for in a new role.
-
Proton 9.0-1 Released to Improve Gaming with Steam
The latest release of Proton 9 adds several improvements and fixes an issue that has been problematic for Linux users.
-
So Long Neofetch and Thanks for the Info
Today is a day that every Linux user who enjoys bragging about their system(s) will mourn, as Neofetch has come to an end.
-
Ubuntu 24.04 Comes with a “Flaw"
If you're thinking you might want to upgrade from your current Ubuntu release to the latest, there's something you might want to consider before doing so.
-
Canonical Releases Ubuntu 24.04
After a brief pause because of the XZ vulnerability, Ubuntu 24.04 is now available for install.
-
Linux Servers Targeted by Akira Ransomware
A group of bad actors who have already extorted $42 million have their sights set on the Linux platform.
-
TUXEDO Computers Unveils Linux Laptop Featuring AMD Ryzen CPU
This latest release is the first laptop to include the new CPU from Ryzen and Linux preinstalled.