Arch Linux Review

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Introduction​

Arch Linux is a bleeding fast distribution optimized for i686 (32bit) and x86_64 (64bit) architectures. The term bleeding fast is usually associated with distributions that are based on compiling (think Gentoo), however this is not the case with Arch. Think of Arch as a "Modern Slackware"

Arch builds a system to match your hardware and your needs. This question should clarify what I mean, "Why install tons of graphic card drivers when you're going to be using only one?" In essence this is why Arch is so fast. This also means you will need some time on your hand which is necessary to get the system running as you will be required to manually do some of the configuration.

Arch installs a base system, which means there is no KDE, GNOME or any other desktop environment (DM). You will choose during the installation and by reading the WIKI which DM to install.

Setup​

• Zepto 6625WD Laptop
• Intel Core 2 Duo @ 2.00 GHZ
• 2.00 GB RAM
• 160 GB 7200 RPM Samsung Hard-drive
• Nvidia 8600M GT 512 MB DDR2 Graphics Card
• Synaptics Touchpad and an external Logitech USB Mouse
• Cannon Pixma IP 3000 Printer attached physically to a Windows XP machine
• 5.1 Surround Sound Realtek HDA ALC 268 Sound Card
• Intel 4965AGN Wireless Card, and internet connection WEP protected.​

Installation​

Most users have become very familiar with the term "Live CD" and as a result the term is now used to describe the installation procedure of a vast majority of distributions. Unfortunately the term can not be applied to Arch, as it uses a text based installer, that's right those bastards that will reverse your digestive system(i.e make you poop out of your mouth).

Anyhow the installation isn't nearly as bad as described. The process is fairly easy, you learn a lot in the process you learn a lot and thus you wont be spending your time in IRC chats asking how to rickroll or get your native resolution working.

There are two installation methods; over the internet and trough a CD. Respectively you can download two ISO files; FTP and Core for each type processor as well 32bit and 64bit (when going Linux 32bit is the way to go regardless of your processor's architecture). I used the Core ISO and if you like getting **** slapped or proving your l337 skills, then the FTP ISO is for you. Once you have the Core ISO burned on to a CD, pop it into your optical drive and boot from it as you would do for installing any Linux distribution (for the smart asses, wubi doesn't count so go with my statement).

Once you've booted from it please follow the beginners installation article of the WIKI. All of my hardware is supported, hardware compatibility should not provide any trouble. The installation procedure varies from system to system and person to person, thus for the sake of sanity its best if the WIKI does the talking

Got carried away and didn't even mention where to get the files, anyway the ISOs can be navigated to through the homepage and the WIKI is found here.

Initial Impressions​

WOW and FAST, as the installation does the configuring the end result is fantastic. Everything works and if there are slight issues you will already have the knowledge by now to fix them. Speed is amazing, the response time is the best I've experienced in any distribution so far.

Aesthetically don't expect much as you have just installed a fresh and clean version of the DM you chose. However this is easily fixed, and judging by the "Show off Your Linux Desktop" thread I see a lot of creativeness and some disturbances, so I don't think I need to intervene.

My sound card did not work, till now It has only worked in distributions that utilize PulseAudio. I knew from the get go that my sound card would not work but during the installation I configured the sound as the WIKI explained, even If I couldn't hear. Its important that those with similar issues do the same.

Arch uses ALSA but after updating to the latest kernel which is in testing (2.6.25), the sound card worked and the quality was very clear and crisp.

The essential laptop features such as suspend, hibernate and CPU frequency scaling were configured during installation by following the WIKI and all work perfectly.

The base software you would get with a fresh install of any DM is there, but please read this part of the WIKI to get more essential software.

Visuals​

Again its hard for me to explain as each of you will have chosen a different DM. I choose gnome and had to do some modifications to get it perfect. As people liked my desktop I took the liberty (aka brutally beaten by some) to post the procedure here.

Eye Candy​

Seriously Calvin, why base the template on my review ? Its so hard to describe Eye Candy in Arch as none is there in the beginning and each user adds it based on their preference and YES compiz works beautifully for those suffering from ADD.

Just have a look at the screen shots in the end to get an idea of the aesthetics.

Package Management
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Arch uses "Pacman" as its package manager. Its similar to Synaptics and other known managers as it handles dependencies and what not. Its different to Synaptics as its command line based, however there are numerous user interfaces for it, a good one is gtk-pacman. Pacman is easy to use and much more powerful for those advanced users.

Once you have a system up and running I and every other Arch user will recommend that you install yaourt.

It's worth mentioning that Arch is a rolling release distribution. This means that by a simple command "pacman -Syu" your system gets updated to the latest version. In simpler terms the newest ISO's are not like say Gutsy Gibbon or Hardy Heron, they are just snapshots of the latest software in the repositories. The rolling release keeps systems from breaking in rare cases and is more practical.

Codecs​

No codecs are installed by default, you have to manually install them. This article of the WIKI explains how to do so, it's basically these commands.

pacman -Sy codecs `pacman -Ss gstreamer | grep -e '^extra/gstreamer0.10' | awk '{print $1}'`

pacman -S flashplugin

pacman -S codecs

pacman -S libdvdcss

Ease of Use​

Once you've installed the system this section becomes self explanatory. Let me just sum it up by saying that Reading WIKI = Able to install Arch = Able to use any Linux distribution with ease without becoming a nerd or geek.

Oh and if your hooked up to a network, be it windows or any other OS, Arch will detect it automatically.

Conclusion​

I used to suck at conclusions back in English class so bear with me. I have "distro hopped a lot" but some dude keeps throwing me back at Arch. Its the only distribution that I feel at home with.

Pros

• Very simple and easy to use (after having installed it)
• Hardware fully functional
• Fast, I mean Top Gun "need for speed" fast
• Knowledge (as lame of a pro that is, you will really feel comfortable with your installation or any other Linux distribution)
• Very customizable

Cons

• None really
• Installation requires time, effort and might give some people an erection (you know who you are)
• Can be a bit overwhelming at first for someone new to Linux

Screen Shots​

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Well hope you enjoyed the review and will try Arch somewhere down the line. For those who have succeeded and are happy with Arch, then you deserve this:

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* Logo and sticker taken from Arch website
*3rd screenshot features the desktop of purposeofreason, "reasons" of Arch forums.

 

Do you mind making those screenshots smaller? Like a thumbnail?

 

Yes, they are smaller now

 

Thanks, had to do a lot of scrolling.

 

Nice Review!

 

blackbird: Nice review. Have you installed Gentoo in the past?

 

I should try Gentoo....
I've only installed Arch in a VM and I loved it, but I'm gonna wait a bit. I'll do some more testing of it.

 

Gentoo is nice. I used to use it, but the time it takes to compile for any updates or installation was just getting to be too much. I'm currently in the process of trying Arch out on my desktop, and so far I like it. It kind of seems like the precompiled version of Gentoo and it's still blindingly fast. It probably won't be long before it's on my laptop.

 

zipx2k5: I've installed Gentoo many times before but I haven't tried Arch yet. Except the time required to compile, is Arch easier/harder/similar in term of installation (technical skills)?

 

I've tried Gentoo, it used to be good before on desktops but now on laptops its pretty bad. The latest releases are buggy and I hate their WIKI.

Compiling is a pain, however if you want Gentoo then Sabayon is the derivative to try.


Arch doesnt compile, well some packages have both versions binaries and sources for those who want to compile.

In terms of ease of use Arch wins hands down. All the configuration is done via pretty much one file and the WIKI makes sure you understand how to do the configuration. Its like learning how a new software works and where to edit its options, once you understand its just as easy as the noob friendly ones, if not easier.

 

Nice review. I think I'm gonna try out Arch soon.

 

Thanks, wish you luck.

 

Good luck Calvin, it's hard to install.....very.

 

How does Arch compare to Vector?

 

Damn, you guys are posting great reviews, and causing me to have to download and try out so many distros that I've lost count! LOL

Am using Dream Linux Live CD, now. Have Gentoo minimal install 2007 downloading on another machine as I type, and after reading this review, blackbird, I'm going to have to give Arch another shot, too . . .

Thanks for another excellent post, blackbird.

 

Ninjamod Likes the way it Looks.

 

Not really, just the first time is a bit challenging, then it gets better.

 

Thanks for the comments

@ Thomas,

Its hard to install if you don't follow the wiki and don't know your IP address and stuff like that, I don't see why text based = hard. If you go in with a mind preset that its going to be hard then yea its going to be hard. Of course for someone new to Linux its rather challenging as you have to do a lot of configuration but for people that have some time its not really a problem.

 

Very good review here, Mr. Blackbird....

 

Well, if you haven't used a text based installer, then it can be.
Hell I'll just install FreeBSD in a VM a couple times for practice
Now thats a confusing one.
Anyways, Arch is awesome, I had the it with Gnome for a little while.

 

I'll probably be getting rid of my current laptop when Asus releases the EEE 900 with a atom cpu, Arch looks like it'd be just the ticket.

 

Just out of curiosity.. I current have Ubuntu, and have a seperate /home partition. After I install Arch, will it 'bond' with the /home from my ubuntu? Or will I have to copy the files out, install Arch, and copy them back in?

Then again, is it recommended to to a format of /home for safety sake?

And, what file system did you use? Ext3?