Is the future of Linux to be found under an Arch?

[Manchunian]

I've been spending the past week installing Arch Linux (as well as house-renovating and, eh...working!) Well, I just wanted to say that I am very impressed; in fact, I am wowed by this distribution. Now, I've been using Debian stable for a year now, and during this time I have had nothing but the greatest of pleasure in using this distribution: it's fast, rock-solidly reliable and (once you've set it up) easy to administer. During this time nothing, absolutely nothing, has been able to tempt my loyalty away from Debian, not even Slackware; but Arch is seriously testing it! It's not the easiest of distros to install, that's true, but once it's up and running it's incredibly slick and fast! Besides, there's an amazing feeling of satisfaction with an Arch install. It's so nice to slowly build up your computer:installing the base system, the X server, the applications you actually want... And how nice to have up-to-date software! I wholeheartedly recommend this distribution to anyone who has a certain Linux experience and a few days to spare. So, could the future of Linux be under an Arch? Maybe not completely, it'll never replace Ubuntu as the newbie-distro of choice, but it sure might shake the ground under Debian, Gentoo and Slackware.

[netstrider]

I'm also a dual Debian/Arch user. Arch also shocked me when I first tried it and I think I might even switch to Arch permanently...

[Dapper Dan]

Believe it or not, I've never attempted an Arch install which is a little unusual considering I'm such a huge proponent of Arch's basis for inspiration, Crux.

So many members here have reported great experiences with Arch that I think I simply must try it out as soon as I get my new Crux 2.4 install tweaked and configured to my satisfaction.

If I have been sitting on the fence with installing Arch, I think this thread has pushed me on over. Thanks Manchunian!

[Thrillhouse]

If you don't mind me asking, Manchunian, what made you decide to try Arch? On the Arch forums recently, I've noticed a huge influx of new users who came from either Ubuntu or Debian and I haven't really been able to understand why.

Anyways, I'm glad you like it. I first started using Arch a little over a year ago and haven't really had the desire to try anything else. Once you get it built up, it just works. And the rolling release system keeps you from having to constantly upgrade to the latest version.

[techieMoe]

I've been spending the past week installing Arch Linux (as well as house-renovating and, eh...working!) Well, I just wanted to say that I am very impressed; in fact, I am wowed by this distribution.

...I wholeheartedly recommend this distribution to anyone who has a certain Linux experience and a few days to spare. So, could the future of Linux be under an Arch? Maybe not completely, it'll never replace Ubuntu as the newbie-distro of choice, but it sure might shake the ground under Debian, Gentoo and Slackware.

Just for that, you might be getting a rant on this.

[Thrillhouse]

Just for that, you might be getting a rant on this.

Haven't you ranted on Arch before, Moe?

[lucho]

Meh, I'm going to have to disagree. I've tried arch (Arch64 to be exact) and it gave a truckload of grief. I didn't find the installation difficult, but it's the only OS to have ever given me hardware issues. Past that, Arch has the nasty habit of not playing nice with static IPs. You're right about the speed but honestly it's only marginally faster than Debian Sid or Slackware, if that much. I spent more time with the site's documentation trying to get my connection off the ground than with any other distro, even Windows

[Thrillhouse]

Meh, I'm going to have to disagree. I've tried arch (Arch64 to be exact) and it gave a truckload of grief. I didn't find the installation difficult, but it's the only OS to have ever given me hardware issues. Past that, Arch has the nasty habit of not playing nice with static IPs. You're right about the speed but honestly it's only marginally faster than Debian Sid or Slackware, if that much. I spent more time with the site's documentation trying to get my connection off the ground than with any other distro, even Windows

I wouldn't judge Arch on its still-in-devlopment, 64-bit port. Almost everything in Arch64 is buggy but the Arch64 developers rely on those who are adventurous and use it to report those bugs. If you ever get the motivation to try it again, I would go with the more stable 32-bit version. I think you'll have better success.

[techieMoe]

Haven't you ranted on Arch before, Moe?

About 4 versions ago. I'll wait for the next major release.

[Thrillhouse]

About 4 versions ago. I'll wait for the next major release.

Well, the releases are a little misleading. They're basically just updated install CD's with newer versions of important packages like pacman. The distro, itself, doesn't change much from one release to another. Sort of the nature of rolling release distros, I guess. That's not to discourage you. I think it's worth another look.