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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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So I installed Arch Linux... Is this it? (lemmy.ml)

submitted 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) by SentientFishbowl@lemmy.ml to c/linux@lemmy.ml

242 comments fedilink hide all child comments

I'm a little bit underwhelmed, I thought that based off the fact so many people seem to make using this distro their personality I expected... well, more I guess?

Once the basic stuff is set-up, like wifi, a few basic packages, a desktop environment/window manager, and a bit of desktop environment and terminal customisation, then that's it. Nothing special, just a Linux distribution with less default programs and occasionally having to look up how to install a hardware driver or something if you need to use bluetooth for the first time or something like that.

Am I missing something? How can I make using Arch Linux my personality when once it's set up it's just like any other computer?

What exactly is it that people obsess over? The desktop environment and terminal customisation? Setting up NetworkManager with nmcli? Using Vim to edit a .conf file?

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[–] communism@lemmy.ml 25 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (3 children)

Do people really make Arch their personality? Ive been using Arch-based distros since forever and never really met someone like that. I thought it was just a meme.

I like the minimalism and ability to control more parts of your system as opposed to an automated install process doing everything for you. But you don't have to do that much manually. The main pacstrap step basically sets up your whole system anyway. It's not that different to other mainstream distros. I have always just used it like any other distro.

Edit: Forgot to mention that the bleeding-edge packages and AUR are nice features too. And being rolling release to a lesser extent, just my preference.

[–] Toribor@corndog.social 25 points 3 months ago (2 children)

I thought it was just a meme.

I see way more complaints about 'elitist Arch users' than I ever do comments from actual elitist Arch users.

[–] llii@discuss.tchncs.de 4 points 3 months ago (2 children)

Also, I never saw anyone saying anything about a "year of the Linux Desktop". It's just a meme.

[–] floofloof@lemmy.ca 7 points 3 months ago

It was certainly said seriously in the late 1990s and early 2000s. It was the kind of phrase you'd find in computer magazines that came with a Linux CD-ROM stuck to the cover.

This guy from Intel claims to have been the first to use it in 1999, but I think it was a more widely used hype phrase around that time, when desktop Linux was becoming just about usable.

[–] weststadtgesicht@discuss.tchncs.de 7 points 3 months ago

Both were a thing in discussions many years ago. That's why they became a meme.

But since then it's basically only used ironically because people quickly noticed they're a meme.

[–] bluewing@lemm.ee 2 points 3 months ago

It's become a meme now. And I certainly don't take it seriously myself. It's more in fun to me as anything serious. (I don't use Arch by the way).

If you can't joke about yourself about something you do, then you may have a problem and should perhaps consider some therapy perhaps.

[–] Thann@lemmy.ml 6 points 3 months ago (1 children)

FOSS is my personality and Arch is my distro

[–] communism@lemmy.ml 6 points 3 months ago

Funnily enough one of the points where Arch distinguishes themselves from other distros is that they're not strict about only including free software in their repos and are completely fine with including proprietary software alongside foss. There's Parabola if you want Arch but with a strong political line on free software

[–] arbitrary@lemmygrad.ml 3 points 3 months ago

I worked with a guy who had a flag with the Arch logo and his Arch forums username on it hanging above his desk.