I have just got my Beaglebone Black and (being a long time Linux user,
from the early 1990s) was looking for a sensible list of Angstrom
versions for the Beaglebone Black but I can't really find one.
Is there a repository where one can find the 'current' version of
Angstrom for the BBB? It happily tells you "It is highly recommended
that you always use the latest version of the Software." on elinux but
there doesn't seem to *be* a "latest version of the Software." The
link it gives to "Updating the software" tells you how to do the
update and how to see what version is installed but there's no clue as
to how to find stable, new versions.
Also, can one update/upgrade 'off the net' from the Angstrom command
line or does one always have to go through the loading to SD card and
flashing process? It would be much more user friendly to be able to
do it from the BBB command line.
I imagine you have found this site http://beagleboard.org/latest-images, that is where the official images are. I know that they haven’t been updated recently, but I hear that a Debian version is coming along nicely, should be out soon.
The kernel in the most recent official image might be outdated, I would check out Robert Nelson’s Github page, checkout the latest 3.8.x kernel, and put that onto the beaglebone. That should get you the most stable image to start working with.
I would also keep an eye out for the next official image, I’m hoping it is out soon :).
I have just got my Beaglebone Black and (being a long time Linux user,
from the early 1990s) was looking for a sensible list of Angstrom
versions for the Beaglebone Black but I can't really find one.
Is there a repository where one can find the 'current' version of
Angstrom for the BBB? It happily tells you "It is highly recommended
that you always use the latest version of the Software." on elinux but
there doesn't seem to *be* a "latest version of the Software." The
link it gives to "Updating the software" tells you how to do the
update and how to see what version is installed but there's no clue as
to how to find stable, new versions.
Also, can one update/upgrade 'off the net' from the Angstrom command
line or does one always have to go through the loading to SD card and
flashing process? It would be much more user friendly to be able to
do it from the BBB command line.
http://downloads.angstrom-distribution.org/demo/beaglebone/testing/
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I imagine you have found this site Latest Software Images - BeagleBoard,
Well I hadn't because the floating menu on the top level site drives
me completely crazy so I hadn't found it. 'Latest version' download
links are normally immediately obvious and they're not here.
that is where the official images are. I know that they haven't been
updated recently, but I hear that a Debian version is coming along nicely,
should be out soon.
The kernel in the most recent official image might be outdated, I would
check out Robert Nelson's Github page, checkout the latest 3.8.x kernel,
and put that onto the beaglebone. That should get you the most stable image
to start working with.
Hmm, sounds like a way to get into 'dependency hell' in one easy lesson.
That's *exactly* the problem! No clue as to what's what.
http://downloads.angstrom-distribution.org/demo/beaglebone/testing/
That's *exactly* the problem! No clue as to what's what.
Then download the Angstrom repo and build what you want. If this is too
complicated for you, then stay with Robert¹s Debian builds. Robert does an
amazing job of keeping everything current and he is the best at responding
to issues.
Regards,
John
I'm quite happy to build stuff myself. That's not the issue.
The problem is the lack of clarity about Angstrom releases, their
stability. etc.
>>
>>
>> http://downloads.angstrom-distribution.org/demo/beaglebone/testing/
>>
>That's *exactly* the problem! No clue as to what's what.
Then download the Angstrom repo and build what you want. If this is too
complicated for you, then stay with Robert¹s Debian builds. Robert does
an
amazing job of keeping everything current and he is the best at
responding
to issues.
I'm quite happy to build stuff myself. That's not the issue.
The problem is the lack of clarity about Angstrom releases, their
stability. etc.
Angstrom is stable, but it isn’t going anywhere. Given that the Beagle
group are migrating to Debian, I like many others have made that migration
also. Robert’s Debian image can do everything Angstrom can do and more.
Regards,
John
Sorry, I don’t really know what you mean with the highlighted comment above. I’m a linux noob, just getting started with the BBB :).
The latest Debian test build I can find is here https://groups.google.com/forum/#!msg/beagleboard/D1ioNrzzXfQ/eUcJAPtEi0wJ.
That comment suggests you haven't spent any quality time fighting angstroms quirks.
IMHO, angstrom itself is "'dependency hell' in one easy lesson".
However, if you want clarity, try reading this:
http://beagleboard.org/blog/2014-01-04-happy-new-year/
As you're a long time linux user, the first thing you're going to notice is that you
simply can't just grab another distro and expect everything to work the way you can
in the x86 world. The Arm/embedded world simply isn't there yet.
For the BBB what you end up doing is taking Robert Nelsons kernel build and layering
a mostly generic armv7 compiled distro on top.
Robert does a decent job with the kernel, so this mostly just works for now.
OK, sounds good to me, I'd be very happy with Debian.
It would be nice to see this stuff (proposed migration to Debian etc.)
more upfront though.
Well, if you don't read beagleboard.org/blog or the topics labeled "debian:
test images (date)" that just can't be helped. 
Regards,