tux with toolbox

🔐 LnOS a Customized Arch Distro tailored to UTA Students

GPG Signed Security Verified Integrity Guaranteed Build Status Latest Release

🔒 All releases are cryptographically signed for authenticity and integrity

"A UTA flavored distro with all the applications and tools the different engineering majors use" - Professor Bakker

Overview

The-LN-Project is a custom Linux distribution based on Arch Linux, designed specifically for University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) students. It aims to provide a lightweight, flexible, and powerful environment tailored to the needs of engineering students.The distro supports both x86_64 and ARM architectures (e.g., Raspberry Pi), ensuring compatibility with a wide range of student hardware.

  • First focused discipline is Computer Science (CS).

Goals

  • Lightweight and minimal base, built from Arch Linux.
  • Pre-configured tools for CS students, with plans to expand to other engineering disciplines (e.g., EE).
  • Easy installation process for students new to Linux.
  • Rolling updates to keep software current. (tool to update easily TUI)
  • Easy to read Documentation source not only for LnOS but for any configurable tool thats on Arch Linux

Want to request a feature or report a bug, open an Issue!

How to Contribute

We welcome contributions from UTA students, faculty and the FOSS Community!

Report Issues: Use GitHub Issues to report bugs or suggest features.

Testing / Developers Guide

Click here to see guide on testing: Testing (helpful when contributing)

Features

  • Target Architectures: x86_64 and (aarch64 / aarch32)
    • Arm we're still researching (v7 or v8)
  • Base System: Minimal Arch Linux with a rolling release model.
  • Major Themed presets: Engineers will have preset options to choose
  • Desktop Environment: Gnome(similar to macos) KDE(similar to windows) and Tiling Window Managers like Hyprland, and DWM.
    • To learn more about Tiling Window Managers click here
  • Documentation: Guides and support for UTA students on installation and customization of tools.

Installation Instructions

Custom ISO Installation

Pre-built LnOS ISOs are available with the installer included.

Option 1: Download Pre-built ISO

⚠️ SECURITY NOTICE: Always verify file signatures before use! All LnOS releases are digitally signed.

  1. Download the latest release from GitHub Releases

    • lnos-x86_64-*.iso for Intel/AMD 64-bit systems
    • lnos-aarch64-*.iso for ARM 64-bit systems (Raspberry Pi 4+)
    • *.asc signature files for verification

  2. Verify digital signature (recommended):

    # Quick verification (auto-imports key)
curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/bakkertj/LnOS/main/scripts/verify-signature.sh | bash -s -- lnos-*.iso

# Manual verification
curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/bakkertj/LnOS/main/keys/lnos-public-key.asc | gpg --import
gpg --verify lnos-*.iso.asc lnos-*.iso

  3. Create bootable USB:

    # Linux/macOS
sudo dd if=lnos-x86_64-*.iso of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress

# Windows: Use Rufus or Balena Etcher

  4. Boot and install:

    • Boot from USB (automatic login as root)
    • Run the installer: cd /root/LnOS/scripts && ./LnOS-installer.sh --target=x86_64
    • Follow the interactive prompts to select packages and desktop environment

Option 2: Build Custom ISO

Using VS Code Dev Container
  1. Install VS Code with "Dev Containers" extension
  2. Clone and open: 
    git clone https://github.com/uta-lug-nuts/LnOS.git
cd LnOS
code .
  3. Open in container: Ctrl+Shift+P → "Dev Containers: Reopen in Container"
  4. Build ISO: 
    ./build-iso.sh x86_64     # Build x86_64 ISO
./build-iso.sh aarch64    # Build ARM64 ISO
Using Local Arch Linux
# Install archiso
sudo pacman -S archiso

# Clone and build
git clone https://github.com/uta-lug-nuts/LnOS.git
cd LnOS
./build-iso.sh x86_64
Using Docker
git clone https://github.com/uta-lug-nuts/LnOS.git
cd LnOS

# Build in Arch container
docker run --rm --privileged \
  -v $(pwd):/workspace \
  -w /workspace \
  archlinux:latest \
  bash -c "
    pacman -Syu --noconfirm
    pacman -S --noconfirm archiso
    ./build-iso.sh x86_64
  "

Development Environment

To contribute to LnOS, use the VS Code dev container:

  1. Install VS Code with "Dev Containers" extension
  2. Clone repository: git clone https://github.com/uta-lug-nuts/LnOS.git
  3. Open in VS Code: code LnOS
  4. Reopen in container: Ctrl+Shift+P → "Dev Containers: Reopen in Container"

The dev container includes:

  • Arch Linux environment
  • Pre-installed archiso and build tools
  • Build aliases: build-x86, build-arm, clean-build
  • Shell script linting and formatting
  • Cross-platform compatibility (Windows, macOS, Linux)

Manual Installation

  1. Download Arch Linux ISO from archlinux.org/download

  2. Create bootable media using Rufus or Balena Etcher

  3. Boot and install:

    git clone https://github.com/uta-lug-nuts/LnOS.git
./LnOS/scripts/LnOS-installer.sh --target=x86_64

Included Packages (CS Focus)

Here’s a preliminary list of tools for CS students:

  • Editors: VSCode (vscode), Vim
  • Version Control: Git
  • Compilers/Debuggers: GCC, GDB
  • Languages: Python, C/C++
  • Utilities: Bash, Make, OpenSSH
  • Optional: Docker (for containerization), Valgrind (for memory debugging)

More tools will be added based on student feedback.

Resources We’ve Looked At

Arch Linux Official Site Linux From Scratch Arch Linux ARM Arch linux install guide GUM

  • this has seriously been amazing

🛡️ Security & Digital Signatures

All LnOS releases are digitally signed with GPG to ensure authenticity and integrity.

GPG Key Information:

  • Key ID: 9486759312876AD7
  • Fingerprint: FF3B 2203 9FA1 CBC0 72E5 8967 9486 7593 1287 6AD7
  • Owner: LnOS Development Team

Why verify signatures?

  • Ensures files haven't been corrupted during download
  • Protects against malicious file tampering
  • Confirms files are from the official LnOS team
  • Prevents man-in-the-middle attacks

Public Key Location: keys/lnos-public-key.asc

Known Issues

  • Not fully reliable yet (still not even a 1.0.0 release)
  • ARM64 support is work in progress (basic support implemented)
  • Limited testing on various hardware configurations
  • Some desktop environments may require additional configuration

Credits

Inspired by Professor Bakker’s and UTA LUGNUTS Community of a vision for a UTA-specific distro.

Built on the amazing work of the Arch Linux community. Install Files look beautiful from the wonderful tool: GUM

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