I am a baby to Linux. But Arch is calling me

Posted by EmbarrassedPipe4957@reddit | linux | View on Reddit | 45 comments

I have always used windows. My school computers have been on Windows 10 for as long as I can remember, my daily driver runs on windows 11 (not for long) even my mum uses it. (My dad uses MacOS.) So I obviously chose Linux Mint as baby’s first distro. Wrong. For some odd reason, my brain went “Linux mint will be far easier to understand. but arch tho” . Should I go with my heart? Or go with common sense

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primalbluewolf@reddit

If its calling to you, install it on a spare PC and play with it. You'll learn a lot. Mostly by breaking things and trying to figure out how you broke it, and what you need to do to fix it.

I would recommend having a more stable PC or device as well. Mint is an option, although personally Id use Manjaro ahead of Mint. Arch installs these days is mostly a test of reading comprehension. Troubleshooting it once installed... well if nothing else you'll learn more about the bits and pieces of an OS.

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bearstormstout@reddit

I would recommend baseline Arch long before using Manjaro. The distro has a history of issues that have affected other distros by virtue of causing issues with the AUR.

If you're going to use Arch-based but don't want Arch itself, I would recommend EndeavourOS instead.

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primalbluewolf@reddit

Ho hum, another day, another bot linking back to a hate page.

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SmegHead86@reddit

Better yet, install VirtualBox on Mint, then install Arch on the VM. The perfect sandbox.

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primalbluewolf@reddit

Surely qemu instead, no?

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SmegHead86@reddit

That works too. A bit more of a learning curve there, but an awesome hypervisor.

While we're at it, OP can also look into LXC.

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Proud_Raspberry_7997@reddit

Steam OS and Garuda have been my last dustros where I finally stopped distro-hopping.

Are Arch-based distros perfect? No. But they provide everything I expect out-of-the-box in a computer and nothing more.

Everything I want!

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mina86ng@reddit

If you’re motivated to start with Arch, then go for Arch. My first distribution was Slackware.

However, you need to honestly evaluate the reasons. Is it really your heart, or do you just think Arch is a meme and it would be funny to use it? If it’s the latter, go with Mint.

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Murilo-Art@reddit

I really think the best way to start at linux is by using a Windows Subsystem for Linux. Lern the shell basics, and later listen your heart. Of course, just my opinion.

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Shikadi297@reddit

Go for it, could also use endeavouros if you want an easy install. It's not 2015, arch isn't hard

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visualglitch91@reddit

Do whatever it isn't a life changing decision it's just a 10 min install tops

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Glittering_Joke_8589@reddit

Arch really isn't that difficult if you have pretty basic knowledge on how computers work. The installer is pretty straight forward, and there's plenty of docs and videos to help wherever you may get stuck

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thephotoman@reddit

No. Get used to Linux before distro hopping. It’s relatively similar everywhere.

Also, your heart isn’t telling you to switch to Arch. The social pressure of “I use Arch btw” is telling you to switch to Arch.

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Wrong_Beginning_1499@reddit

Yes! Just yes Arch is something else entirely, you'll get frustrated before you learn the basics

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Wrong_Beginning_1499@reddit

Sorry, don't get me wrong! Arch is amazing, truly but you need some knowledge of how to get some things done by hand first, Linux mint, fedora etc are great start, you may even want to stick with those and there is no problem with that

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kaplanfx@reddit

All the cool kids are doing it. (And by cool kids, I mean gigantic nerds)

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reddit-user1010101@reddit

This.

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Ambyjkl@reddit

A distro is just a distribution of linux software, the actual software you use can be obtained on any distro. I'd suggest sticking to Linux Mint and only trying out Arch on your main PC once you really understand how a Linux system operates, all the way from bootloader and initramfs and kernel to package updates. Until then, virtual machines are your friiend :)

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azstaryss@reddit

My first distro was arch, it aint impossible but it sure as shit was both painful and probably not worth it.

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Blue_Aces@reddit

Ignore everyone else here.

Start by dual-booting CachyOS.

You'll love it. Come back if you need help but I don't see why the average user would.

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EmberQuill@reddit

If it's calling to you, then just try it. Arch isn't nearly as complicated as people like to claim it is.

Back up everything important and then it won't matter. If you end up not liking Arch, just switch to something else.

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jeffrey_f@reddit

Linux Mint and Ubuntu are born from Debian. The reality is that once you start, you can't go back.

As for Linux: You will crawl, walk then run. Enjoy the ride.

But why not get virtual machine software and run Linux as a VM.

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shogun77777777@reddit

Arch is overrated

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GarbledEntrails@reddit

Honestly, just use arch if you're ok with your system not working sometimes because you broke something and are trying to figure out how to fix it. Provided that you find that fun (like i did), then you should just yolo into arch

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Fantastic-Resist-545@reddit

Arch isn't as bad as people make it out to be. The documentation is spot on https://archlinux.org/ And the install medium is pretty good to make sure you're not installing things in the wrong order. I know I had to reinstall several times over to dial it in the way I wanted it but I have snapshots and backups to an external hard drive going now, and it talks to all the devices I want it to talk to, and nothing is on it that I didn't put there myself, so it has that going for it.

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HandWashing2020@reddit

The best way to get used to Arch is to go for it and not look back. The first time I installed Arch I didn’t know better and wasn’t intimidated. I took everything as it came. Now I am and I find it more difficult than that first time.

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earthman34@reddit

Arch is NOT an end all/be all. Ignore the hype.

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unfurlingraspberry@reddit

I spent a while distro hopping when I first started using Linux and it sucked. Not a good time. I'd say if you're just starting out, make a big old table where you lay out your requirements for Linux. Really take some time to work out what it is you actually want, and then pick the distro which best aligns with those requirements.

I will say though that Arch is what taught me Linux. But it also burnt up an awful lot of hours and meant a whole lot of late nights. I probably wouldn't have the understanding I have now without Arch, but also I don't look back on that period of time fondly... There's nothing heroic about using Arch. Use what suits you best.

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DerekB52@reddit

I used Arch for the first time after a few weeks of using Linux Mint. This was in early 2015. Arch really isn't that hard. If you're curious about it, give it a go. Don't use any of the Arch derivatives. Use Arch or stick to Mint.

Or, try OpenSuse Tumbleweed. It's a little easier to install, and gives you a great rolling release distro.

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shegonneedatumzzz@reddit

what exactly draws you to arch?

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PositronicBrainlet@reddit

Honestly, just use whatever keeps you interested enough to keep it as your daily driver. If you have limited time for tinkering, though, definitely stick with Mint for a while.

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datsmamail12@reddit

Another femboy waiting to be born

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silenceimpaired@reddit

Just because you get a drunk dial from an Ex doesn't mean you have to answer... same for Arch. That said... popular Linux YouTuber started with Arch so who knows... maybe you'll survive the ordeal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4riY3RG_bw

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lainelect@reddit

Do you have, like, 100+ hours to set up your system exactly how you want, step by step? If so, go with Arch. Otherwise, what’s the point.

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Thonatron@reddit

Ran Arch for over a decade and it absolutely isn't worth the meme unless you know what you're doing or you have the time/desire to learn how Linux works.

Moved to Fedora and I wish I had years before that.

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chemistryGull@reddit

Follow your heart. The setup is the hardest part anyways.

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Zealousideal-Day-118@reddit

Arch is really not as hard as people make it out to be. Archinstall is a pleasant experience, and pacman -Syu never wronged me before.

Added advantage: the rolling release model means everyone roughly hits the same problems around the same time, and documentation is always up to date (no searching for outdated docs because you stuck with Ubuntu 20.04 a bit too long).

I'd argue these features make it easier to troubleshoot than Ubuntu, but that'd be provocative.

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Captain_Spicard@reddit

You could subscribe to both philosophies by giving CachyOS a shot.