Good Morning from my Robotics Lab! This is Shadow_8472, and today, I am scoping out Arch Linux for install on a daily driver. Let’s get started.
Majaro done did it this time. With every bad update I get, I’m more keen to listen to the people calling out its mistakes. Recently, an update broke around three pieces of software I use – including one I need for an upcoming project. Let’s spend a week or few installing Arch!
Arch Linux: Pre-Install Impressions
Arch is a major Linux distribution heading a branch of other distributions, similar to Debian or Fedora (of the Red Hat branch). Its userbase has an elitist reputation like the ability to install Arch makes them smarter or something, but I’m sure it’s just for the memes. My understanding going into this project is that Arch Linux is less a “Here is an operating system to install” and more “Here are the components, install what you need. If you don’t know what you need, check the wiki [1]. It’s one of the best.” Thus: people who use arch [by the way] have only proved they know how to follow instructions.
Arch Linux has two primary resources: archlinux.org [2] and wiki.archlinux.org [1]. Additionally, I’m following a tutorial by Learn Linux TV on Arch installation [3]. One afternoon on the Arch Wiki, and I can tell this is looking like a longer project. I’ll be lucky to have my installation media and basic install.
The Arch community is smaller than other distributions, and therefore places a heavier emphasis on users contributing back. Given the more technically inclined user base Arch caters to, it’s a more reasonable of an expectation than it sounds like at first glance.
Choices Before Install
As noted above, Arch is a distribution that highly values customizability. Browsing the wiki turns up a slew of names I’ve seen while troubleshooting. Every little part that can go into an operating system one never thinks of until it’s not working properly is on display here. While I intend to go for a complete desktop environment at this time, I could totally spend months building something truly unique if I had the patience to learn each piece – perhaps starting with a window manager as different from what you typically find on phones and desktops as they are from each other, maybe something that doesn’t use the mouse outside a program. I’m not ready for that though.
One major choice made before even download is if you want to install for a BIOS vs UEFI (or on an encrypted drive). BIOS almost needs no introduction – almost. Some version of the Basic Input Output System can be found on most desktop computers made since around 1980 and on into the new millennium. BIOS runs directly on a computer’s motherboard the moment power turns on. Its job is to start the boot loader, and manage system I/O until shutdown. It has become so ubiquitous that even having grown up around computers, I only recently realized the word is a proper name like “Linux” as opposed to describing its purpose per the term “operating system.”
It’s taken fifty-some-odd years, but BIOS replacement UEFI is the de-facto successor that addresses these limitations. UEFI boots drives beyond 2.2 terabytes, with its limitations on the 2022 scale of the Internet in exabytes. Unconfined to 16 bit operations, UEFI can afford things like a nicer interface with mouse support. Like it for its additional utilities or hate it for being closed source and Internet capable, it’s what most people are stuck with going forward.
Takeaway
Installing Arch is a much larger task than I originally gave it credit for. From what I have seen, it is the distribution I would recommend for people looking to learn how to assemble a Linux system once they are familiar with the command line. I expect this project to take my Linux problem solving skills to the next level.
Final Question
What is the deepest you have gone into your favorite operating system?
Works Cited
[1] wiki.archlinux.org, [Online]. Available: https://wiki.archlinux.org/. [Accessed Oct. 17, 2022].
[2] J. Vinet, A. Griffin, and L. Polyák. archlinux.org, 2002-2022. [Online]. Available: https://archlinux.org/. [Accessed Oct. 17, 2022].
[3] Learn Linux TV, “Arch Linux: Full Installation Guide – A complete tutorial/walkthrough in one video!,” youtube.com,March 31, 2021. [Online]. Available: https://youtu.be/DPLnBPM4DhI. [Accessed Oct. 17, 2022].