I used some time off between my jobs to install and configure arch linux on my work laptop.
It was a lot of work, it took me 2 weeks to get a 100% fully functional system, but I learnt tremendously in the process, so it was definitely worth it.
Now I have a system that was built from the ground up by myself for myself. My workflow productivity increased tremendously. I have the joy of working every day on an amazing and beautiful operating system that I optimized for my needs and which I know everything about.
Granted, there were headaches along the way, and not everyone can give 2 weeks of their life for this. But if I had to I would do it all again.
And since arch is a rolling release, I don't need to perform any major upgrades. Btw, I use arch.
Can't agree more, I also love how easy it is to create identical environments, even across different distros. on top of that the privacy and the open source as default is huge.
I just read about arch linux and rolling release(didn't knew much before).
It seems that arch linux gets latest updates very fast (which makes it less stable) and you have to configure it to make a complete OS like Ubuntu. I would definitely want to go through the same process as you to configure everything on arch linux from start in future, but would definitely go with Manjaro for now if want to use arch based linux.
This is where you should probably make full use of Docker container. I have different container for different project, where rolling release nature of Arch wont be a problem for me. My containers will always in stable state.
Yes, it will take some times to setup Linux, but it will worth it.
Btw, I use Arch.
you need to tweak your mindset.
yes, at first arch might scare you away because it's rolling release.. but..
if you understand how pacman works, what pacnew files are and that you should always check the news before updating, you will get a insanely stable experience on it.
some projects have a few bugs.. kde on wayland for example.. but using that is really bleeding edge.
in general you are the one making the decisions when it comes to your installations.
apart from that, the archlinux irc on freenode is filled with people willing to help.
I agree on the last point, however the rolling release system is actually pretty stable if you know what you're doing - which can be hard for a beginner.
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Someone told me once that the best Debian based distro is Debian, haven't you tried it? 😁
I recommend you to use Elementary OS and Snap.
Setting up a new laptop for work lasts only an hour like this and the software is more containerized.
If you have time, mounting all parts by your own (a.k.a. creating your own distro in some manner) is the way to learn how it works pretty well as Samuel pointed out.
Depends, best for what?
If you're looking for a non gui thing, perhaps, yes, but the last debian I played around with, looked like a 2005 Redhat clone. Like, between a windows 95, NT, and a 3.11.
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It was only something like a joke, but you can add your preferred GUI into it and.. tada! a debian with nice GUI on it.
The other way to go is the same as Elementary OS does. It's based on Ubuntu (which is based on Debian). Then decouples packages from it and repack all into a lighter distro for being more efficient (with a prettier and easy to use GUI).
Feren OS was nice at the beginning, now it's more like a nonsense Frankenstein monster.
I would recommend you not use snaps. They're buggy, and slow. Which is exactly what the poster was complaining about (bugs and speed). In fact, it's possible that the poster would have a better time if snap was completely purged from the system and the existing snap packages were appropriately replaced by the equivalent Debian packages.
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I've had issues with Discord only on snap, then i installed it as deb package and it was still buggy so i assumed it was version bugs and used it on web version.
I'm using docker, php storm, spotify, gitkraken, slack, dbeaver and more everyday without issues TBH.
I'll need to check your speed concerns between deb and snap packages to see if it makes an observable difference. If it does I'll simply move phpstorm and gitkraken out of the snap as on big projects these two are the most resource-consuming packages (both indexes the entire project). Thanks for the info
There are plenty of people that have tested things such as startup speeds, some snaps taking almost a minute to load vs their Deb versions taking a couple seconds:
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Thanks I'll take a look, at the first sight it seems the article talks about load times only which is something i haven't to concern about. I open all software at the beginning of the day while taking a coffee and i didn't close it till I'm about to go home.
I'll look this article further and make some tests with the apps i use and will see.
If for you it is a matter of customization go ahead and use whatever you want.
I am speaking about the rock solid base (first of all the package manager) over which Arch and other serious distributions (Gentoo, Slackware, Alpine...) are built. Also their communities are made by compentent people. Manjaro is born to make easy something which has its own complexity: in my opinion this is exactly the opposite of the Arch KISS philosophy.
Still, printing the Arch Installation and Beginner's guide and following it for a couple times will give you a completely new perspective on how your system works. I suggest everyone that works with computers includes doing that on their to-do list, even if just as study/practice. When things break, no matter how badly, and you know you can fix it without formatting, it's awesome.
Plus, by using the terminal so much, you start to write code that works like that. Many friends think it's funny how I use the terminal to check stuff, be it searching for packages or reading documentation, but this actually feels very liberating, and I can say for sure I make better stuff, and faster, because of this understanding.
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I've no time nor want to spend 2 weeks on it (for now) so i usually use Elementary OS that works fine. Better optimitzed than ubuntu, prettier interface. Moreover I usually go for Snap as package manager (some people blame it for working different) but I think the productivity is much better.
No upgrades from APT to the software I'm using for work, if something breaks up I just snap remove and snap install again and I'm working again on a minute.
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I'm using the same layout I get on windows or ubuntu or... Simply selected keyboard layout on installation process like almost any Debian based linux installation.
What a beautiful post, I feel like you summed it up really well. It's really a learning experience that only makes you better. I feel like anything else I say is just reiterating what you said.
Btw, I use arch.
I think back to issues that would take me hours to figure out some years ago, and how now similar ones take 5 min or less. It's all about learning. Granted that most learning comes, at least in my case, from screwing things up and ending up reading a ton of docs (there is no wiki like the arch wiki!) to fix things up.
As long as you're not shy to look at that wiki, it's literally the best documentation I've seen when it comes down to configuration as well as just general knowledge around a lot of tools and libs. I'm so happy that I use arch.
I used some time off between my jobs to install and configure arch linux on my work laptop.
It was a lot of work, it took me 2 weeks to get a 100% fully functional system, but I learnt tremendously in the process, so it was definitely worth it.
Now I have a system that was built from the ground up by myself for myself. My workflow productivity increased tremendously. I have the joy of working every day on an amazing and beautiful operating system that I optimized for my needs and which I know everything about.
Granted, there were headaches along the way, and not everyone can give 2 weeks of their life for this. But if I had to I would do it all again.
And since arch is a rolling release, I don't need to perform any major upgrades. Btw, I use arch.
Can't agree more, I also love how easy it is to create identical environments, even across different distros. on top of that the privacy and the open source as default is huge.
I use arch BTW
I just read about arch linux and rolling release(didn't knew much before).
It seems that arch linux gets latest updates very fast (which makes it less stable) and you have to configure it to make a complete OS like Ubuntu. I would definitely want to go through the same process as you to configure everything on arch linux from start in future, but would definitely go with Manjaro for now if want to use arch based linux.
This is where you should probably make full use of Docker container. I have different container for different project, where rolling release nature of Arch wont be a problem for me. My containers will always in stable state.
Yes, it will take some times to setup Linux, but it will worth it.
Btw, I use Arch.
For lesser worries regarding Arch Installation, I suggest using the archfi script by MatMoul.
One more quick tip, while installing use IITK mirror if you are currently residing in India. Its blazing fast.
Btw, I use Arch
you need to tweak your mindset.
yes, at first arch might scare you away because it's rolling release.. but..
if you understand how pacman works, what pacnew files are and that you should always check the news before updating, you will get a insanely stable experience on it.
some projects have a few bugs.. kde on wayland for example.. but using that is really bleeding edge.
in general you are the one making the decisions when it comes to your installations.
apart from that, the archlinux irc on freenode is filled with people willing to help.
side note: i even use arch on servers
I agree on the last point, however the rolling release system is actually pretty stable if you know what you're doing - which can be hard for a beginner.
Someone told me once that the best Debian based distro is Debian, haven't you tried it? 😁
I recommend you to use Elementary OS and Snap.
Setting up a new laptop for work lasts only an hour like this and the software is more containerized.
If you have time, mounting all parts by your own (a.k.a. creating your own distro in some manner) is the way to learn how it works pretty well as Samuel pointed out.
Depends, best for what?
If you're looking for a non gui thing, perhaps, yes, but the last debian I played around with, looked like a 2005 Redhat clone. Like, between a windows 95, NT, and a 3.11.
It was only something like a joke, but you can add your preferred GUI into it and.. tada! a debian with nice GUI on it.
The other way to go is the same as Elementary OS does. It's based on Ubuntu (which is based on Debian). Then decouples packages from it and repack all into a lighter distro for being more efficient (with a prettier and easy to use GUI).
Feren OS was nice at the beginning, now it's more like a nonsense Frankenstein monster.
I would recommend you not use snaps. They're buggy, and slow. Which is exactly what the poster was complaining about (bugs and speed). In fact, it's possible that the poster would have a better time if snap was completely purged from the system and the existing snap packages were appropriately replaced by the equivalent Debian packages.
I've had issues with Discord only on snap, then i installed it as deb package and it was still buggy so i assumed it was version bugs and used it on web version.
I'm using docker, php storm, spotify, gitkraken, slack, dbeaver and more everyday without issues TBH.
I'll need to check your speed concerns between deb and snap packages to see if it makes an observable difference. If it does I'll simply move phpstorm and gitkraken out of the snap as on big projects these two are the most resource-consuming packages (both indexes the entire project). Thanks for the info
There are plenty of people that have tested things such as startup speeds, some snaps taking almost a minute to load vs their Deb versions taking a couple seconds:
Here's a link, happy to help
discourse.ubuntu.com/t/testing-def...
Thanks I'll take a look, at the first sight it seems the article talks about load times only which is something i haven't to concern about. I open all software at the beginning of the day while taking a coffee and i didn't close it till I'm about to go home.
I'll look this article further and make some tests with the apps i use and will see.
Manjaro sucks and you won't learn much more than you already know.
Either you go back to windowz or try Arch.
Linux is customizable. so is there not a way to customize manjaro or ubuntu?
Answer is yes they can be customized. It's users choice, right? for eg we can remove gnome and add MATE in ubuntu.
I think there is need for better discussion than just dismissing everything and saying arch or nothing.
If for you it is a matter of customization go ahead and use whatever you want.
I am speaking about the rock solid base (first of all the package manager) over which Arch and other serious distributions (Gentoo, Slackware, Alpine...) are built. Also their communities are made by compentent people. Manjaro is born to make easy something which has its own complexity: in my opinion this is exactly the opposite of the Arch KISS philosophy.
I don't really want to try Arch on my main machine as It is my only machine.
So will persistent bootable USB with arch Linux a good start?
Still, printing the Arch Installation and Beginner's guide and following it for a couple times will give you a completely new perspective on how your system works. I suggest everyone that works with computers includes doing that on their to-do list, even if just as study/practice. When things break, no matter how badly, and you know you can fix it without formatting, it's awesome.
Plus, by using the terminal so much, you start to write code that works like that. Many friends think it's funny how I use the terminal to check stuff, be it searching for packages or reading documentation, but this actually feels very liberating, and I can say for sure I make better stuff, and faster, because of this understanding.
I've no time nor want to spend 2 weeks on it (for now) so i usually use Elementary OS that works fine. Better optimitzed than ubuntu, prettier interface. Moreover I usually go for Snap as package manager (some people blame it for working different) but I think the productivity is much better.
No upgrades from APT to the software I'm using for work, if something breaks up I just snap remove and snap install again and I'm working again on a minute.
Can you get a normal keyboard layout in Elementary? I loaded it and I could only seem to get a Mac layout. Is that bolted down and essential?
I'm using the same layout I get on windows or ubuntu or... Simply selected keyboard layout on installation process like almost any Debian based linux installation.
What a beautiful post, I feel like you summed it up really well. It's really a learning experience that only makes you better. I feel like anything else I say is just reiterating what you said.
Btw, I use arch.
I think back to issues that would take me hours to figure out some years ago, and how now similar ones take 5 min or less. It's all about learning. Granted that most learning comes, at least in my case, from screwing things up and ending up reading a ton of docs (there is no wiki like the arch wiki!) to fix things up.
Btw, I use Arch.
Arch wiki😎
Btw, I use Arch
As long as you're not shy to look at that wiki, it's literally the best documentation I've seen when it comes down to configuration as well as just general knowledge around a lot of tools and libs. I'm so happy that I use arch.
I have heard great things about the Arch Wiki, AUR.
Maybe I will switch to manjaro in future.
Btw, I use Debian
I think even users of other distros end up using the Arch wiki from time to time