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So you want to try Arch Linux but don't know where to start... *****

Apr 24 2011 09:52 AM | DJD in Linux
Views: 228

So you want to try Arch Linux but don't know where to start..
Well fear no more i have a few useful pages to share with you.

The first thing you need to know is that Arch Linux isn't for everyone, it follows the K.I.S.S(Keep It Simple Stupid) principal.
This means that you basically need to configure and install a whole lot of things that come pre- configured/installed in distributions like Ubuntu, Fedora, Mint, etc.
And no this isn't through a nice GUI(Graphical User Interface) its through the CLI(Command Line Interface), so if you are scared of the CLI you should stop reading and stick to the easier distributions.

The nice thing about K.I.S.S is, that it allows you to install what you need and nothing more, so your system won't be cluttered with a shit load of packages you don't need or want.
Also once you're done installing Arch to your liking you feel like you have accomplished something, instead of that empty feeling you get when you install a distribution that comes preconfigured.
And if something breaks it can be easily fixed, because you know where to look. If you can't figure out the problem yourself, Arch has a huge community that is happy to help you out.

Lets get to the point, here are a few useful pages you need:

Arch Linux Homepage
Hardware compatibility list (To check if all your hardware is supported)
Download page (I suggest you use the Net install if you have a fast connection)
Arch Linux Wiki
Official Arch Linux Install Guide
Arch Linux Forums

Make sure you read these pages before diving in!!

VenomFX
Apr 24 2011 03:43 PM
I have always wanted to try more linux flavors. So far i've only tried the old versions of Mandrake, Lindows, RedHat and up to recently Fedora, Ubuntu and Kubuntu. I think i'm going to add Arch to my list :)

DJD
Apr 24 2011 03:56 PM

View PostVenomFX, on 24 April 2011 - 03:43 PM, said:

I have always wanted to try more linux flavors. So far i've only tried the old versions of Mandrake, Lindows, RedHat and up to recently Fedora, Ubuntu and Kubuntu. I think i'm going to add Arch to my list :)

Make sure when you do it, you have loads of time on your hands. It took me six hours to get it the way i wanted it the first time i installed it.
Now i can setup a full install in 2 and a half hours. that includes installing X, Gnome and all the apps i need.

VenomFX
Apr 24 2011 04:24 PM
I shall bare that in mind :)

Rogueentree
Apr 24 2011 05:03 PM
6hrs you say? sounds like just what I need to help kill a night of night shift.

DJD
Apr 24 2011 05:17 PM

View PostRogueentree, on 24 April 2011 - 05:03 PM, said:

6hrs you say? sounds like just what I need to help kill a night of night shift.

Hahha, yeah. I mainly had to adapt to using pacman and aur instead of apt and ppa.
So it took a while to find everything i needed. But overall, if you are willing to learn and put in some time, its not that hard to install.
Its actually a lot of fun!

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