Loving the fact that XLights is Easy on Linux!

[cybi257]

I just wanted to give a big thanks for the repository setup and version of XLights for Linux.

It has been a great thing to use my Preferred OS to do something to awesome. With the headaches of windows 10 rebooting whenever it decides to update and killing the scheduler (big problem trying to use last year), the show (last year) being run on my Linux Laptop was amazing, flawless, and no issues as I leave out of state and let my show run for days without interaction. Well, I can remote to it with my phone for edits, confirmation all is running fine, and those nice phone calls I get asking "Can you start this or that sequence so my friend can see it?"

I'm curious to know how many others use Linux as there OS for running/programming their show(s)?

And, because of this, I am planning to be providing a nice donation to the XLights team this year and possibly more. To have such great software for free, is awesome. Much better than the LOR $189 package for my first year before i learned about RGB, E1.31, and Xlights.

Thanks all, for the great work at such a great package that gets easier to use every update and better effects and bug fixes!

Thanks,
Tim (aka Cybie257)

[jnealand]

The Falcon Pi player also provides the stability that you like and it is linux under the covers.  It does not require a PC dedicated to the show and adds other functionality. You might look into using that as well.

[cybi257]

Thanks jnealand.

I did try PI Player last year. I don't know if I got a bad unit, but I had so much lag in the music and lights timing, that I stuck with my laptop. This year was the year I was going to try again, but as it is, I'm cramming in this last two weeks to do a bunch of setup, so hopefully I will get a chance before the year is out to give it another go. I did like the button feature and some other elements for remote controlling the show. I also have access to another PI to try, which is the same version I have, which I believe is the 3rd gen with WiFi and HDMI, etc.

[JonB256]

..... but I had so much lag in the music and lights timing, that I stuck with my laptop.

Were you by any chance using 25msec timing for your sequences? There was a recent posting where timings were slow and lagging and it turned out that they were using 25 msec instead of 50 msec. (they are using Pixelnet output and that was the main culprit, but I'm curious about your sequences)

[icky007]

I'm attempting to run xLights on Linux Mint 17.3 but no luck so far; likely due to user error as I have little Linux experience (other than I managed to load Linux on this old laptop to play with).

I'm stuck at the point in the instructions on installing xLights on Linux where all the files downloaded and show in the file system.  Now I'm suppose to run the executable "xlights" file but I cant find it or something didn't work right (user error).

I'm not finding much in the way of tutorials.  Perhaps someone can help but if not I guess I'll resort to my windows desktop.

[jnealand]

I'm not finding much in the way of tutorials.  Perhaps someone can help but if not I guess I'll resort to my windows desktop.

That sounds like your best option.  I know there are some Linux users but they seem to be few and far between.  Nothing against Linux, but like you I am too much of a novice and I do not have the time to figure all this out these days.

[cybi257]

..... but I had so much lag in the music and lights timing, that I stuck with my laptop.

Were you by any chance using 25msec timing for your sequences? There was a recent posting where timings were slow and lagging and it turned out that they were using 25 msec instead of 50 msec. (they are using Pixelnet output and that was the main culprit, but I'm curious about your sequences)

Honestly, it was last year, but something I will check into. Thanks for the feedback.

[cybi257]

I'm attempting to run xLights on Linux Mint 17.3 but no luck so far; likely due to user error as I have little Linux experience (other than I managed to load Linux on this old laptop to play with).

I'm stuck at the point in the instructions on installing xLights on Linux where all the files downloaded and show in the file system.  Now I'm suppose to run the executable "xlights" file but I cant find it or something didn't work right (user error).

I'm not finding much in the way of tutorials.  Perhaps someone can help but if not I guess I'll resort to my windows desktop.

If you don't plan to have text in your display (I'm digging deep for a fix on my end), then the best route is to add the repository or use the AppImage. The AppImage only requires you to Right-Click the icon, go to Properties then Permissions tab, and X the box for Allow executing file as a program. It's really simple with that. I prefer the repo version as it updates right along with updating my system.