Got Mate 1.20 running in a VM now. Booted from ASCII DVD and just installed the base packages so I got a CLI, modified the sources.list and updated. Then installed kernel 4.18 from backports, xorg and lightdm (that brings consolekit). Then installed Mate with the command:

apt -t ascii-backports install mate-desktop-environment-extra

That pulls Mate 1.20 from backports, new learning for me.

Had to install elogind by:

apt install libpolkit-backend-elogind-1-0 libpolkit-gobject-elogind-1-0

That removes the consolekit stuff and removes issues with synaptic etc.

Regards, rolfie

Question: how do you install Mate 1.20 from backports? Does a simple apt update/upgrade do the job? My PC still is running 1.16, despite I have the backports in my sources and used it for e.g. updating to kernel 4.18.

I haven't seen a package like mate-desktop-environment-extra or similar in the backports which allows to install the whole bunch of applications.

Thanks, rolfie

Update: after working a while with the PC, I have learned that when you move a window towards the panel, as long as the mouse is not leaving the window, the size remains. When the mouse leaves the window and enters the area of the top panel, the window is maximized.

Can this behaviour/option/feature be stopped/disabled somehow?

Thanks, rolfie

Another alternative is to install just the basic system without any desktop, either Jessie and upgrade to ASCII which I had to do before I found an ASCII install media some months ago, or nowadays directly use ASCII, then manually install xorg, lightdm and the mate. On top I manually installed Firefox ESR, Libreoffice and other stuff I need. Got 3 PCs working now in this setup, and no hasle with removing unwanted stuff. 

Regards, rolfie

Works. Requires the headers for the kernel and the make utilities build-essentials.

Good luck, rolfie

I had some problems directly past the installation. In the moment, the PC is working fine. No lockups.

rolfie

Thank you for the hint. Unfortunately, I have exactly your setting.

Regards, rolfie

I am running a fresh installed ASCII with backports kernel 4.16 installed. What is your sources.list looking alike? Mine is clearly pointing to ascii. I get:

root@xxx:/# uname -a
Linux xxx 4.16.0-0.bpo.2-amd64 #1 SMP Debian 4.16.16-2~bpo9+1 (2018-06-26) x86_64 GNU/Linux
root@xxx:/# apt search linux-image-amd64
Sortierung... Fertig
Volltextsuche... Fertig
linux-image-amd64/stable,stable-security,now 4.9+80+deb9u4 amd64  [installiert]
  Linux for 64-bit PCs (meta-package)

linux-image-amd64-dbg/stable,stable-security 4.9+80+deb9u4 amd64
  Debugging symbols for Linux amd64 configuration (meta-package)

root@xxx:/# cat /etc/os-release
PRETTY_NAME="Devuan GNU/Linux ascii"
NAME="Devuan GNU/Linux"
ID=devuan
ID_LIKE=debian
HOME_URL="https://www.devuan.org/"
SUPPORT_URL="https://devuan.org/os/community"
BUG_REPORT_URL="https://bugs.devuan.org/"

Regards, rolfie

I have used the default ASCII installer to install a LVM into an encrpyted volume, works fine. Was done with the RC version.

I have added an existing encrypted volume (/home on a different drive) after first boot.

Regards, rolfie

Got my own fight ongoing with this issue: https://dev1galaxy.org/viewtopic.php?id=2023

I just did a manual built graphical system based on ASCII RC in VBox. First installed xorg, the lightdm and finally mate. The console kit stuff was pulled by xorg already.

Regards, rolfie

You may name the file the way you like. it has nothing to do with the function. I guess *.pkla is mandatory, the internal format too, the rest is to your disposition. I took  your solution, split it up in two files called disable-suspend.pkla and disable-hibernate.pkla. Works fine. No more suspend/hibernate in the shutdown dialogue. Choose a name that makes some sense for you.

Good luck, rolfie