[SOLVED] resources for learning about arch

TheJaava · 2021-07-26 23:01:39

Hi.

Where I'm at now:
I'm an arch user (I'm currently posting this from an arch install on my laptop), but I feel like I don't understand my computer well enough.
Evidence? I usually have to google a lot to get anything to work and I feel like I'm just trying to get a temporary solution. My install feels like a patchwork of "this should do for now."
I have issues with startx occasionally, I cannot seem to get a display manager to work, and all of the side issues I'm having are distracting me from doing the things I would like
to set up on this computer - for work, study, learning, and entertainment. I recently installed arch on my main laptop which I use for school (it's newer than this one with better hardware mostly).
I am now running into network issues that are probably my fault, but I don't know how to solve or even ask how to solve. So, I've been trying to learn, so that I can clean install my broken system
having a better understanding of how arch actually works.

Background:
I am a student at university right now, studying physics and mathematics. I'm not necessarily computer savvy, but I can code. I have experience in C and especially C++, and that has helped me
feel more comfortable on computers. But I have used Windows my entire life and I got my start programming using visual studio. At some point, I learned about linux and got
interested in the open source initiative and I truly believe in that. I've tried out a lot of distros in vms and on my own machine, and that has led me to arch. I can use a terminal for a lot of things,
I understand the basics, and I know the linux file system for the most part. From here, I would like to make my own operating system aligning with the arch principles.

So... what's the problem?:
Well, the most reliable source I can find is the wiki. Which the wiki is great, but:
1. I follow links in the wiki that give me solutions to problems I have but that just makes my whole system confusing. At the end of the day, I don't know what's going on anymore, and I haven't
learned anything. And next time around I'm no better off because of it.
2. If I want to take the time to learn how I want my system set up before I install (which is what I want to do: I want to understand what I'm doing so I can start setting up my system for long term use)
the wiki is just overwhelming. I don't know where to start (besides the install guide but the point of that isn't to teach about how to set up linux).

I want to install arch linux so I can build my own system for longevity and ease of use. I want to personalize it, and have all the software I need and be able to easily add more like arch allows, but
I don't want that to be a full time job because I don't understand what I'm doing.

TL;DR/Summary
What I'm asking is this: if I want to learn the ins and outs of arch linux like how to use systemd and configuration and networking and all that starting from understanding very little. What wiki page(s)
and/or external resources would you power users recommend to me for research? The wiki is very informative, but overwhelming. I really need a place to start that won't leave me with 12 tabs that I don't know which one to read first.

PS: hope this wasn't too long for such a simple question. i just wanted to be very explicit about where I'm coming from with this.

Last edited by TheJaava (2021-07-31 05:37:54)

jasonwryan · 2021-07-26 23:04:58

If the wiki is not answering your questions, the man pages are your go-to.

TheJaava · 2021-07-26 23:14:22

jasonwryan wrote:

If the wiki is not answering your questions, the man pages are your go-to.

I've been learning to use man pages lately for different software I have installed, but that tells me how to use the software. A lot of times knowing how to use the software doesn't help me because I don't know how to set up what I need.
That's the case with systemd. I don't really understand how services work and I've tried reading through the man page. I feel like my issue is not knowing how I want something set up rather than how to set it up on the system using
systemd or netctl or .conf files.

I've been going down a wiki rabbit hole trying to understand why my internet isn't working properly on my other laptop, but the more I read the more confused I get. I think that is an issue completely separate from the man pages. So I guess it's not that the wiki isn't answering my questions, it probably does somewhere. I just can't find it anywhere and rather than searching for each specific issue because I don't know what I'm doing when I go to set it up: i'm looking for some place to start understanding everything holistically.

Last edited by TheJaava (2021-07-26 23:18:18)

jasonwryan · 2021-07-26 23:26:00

For systemd, you can always read Lennart's blog posts: http://0pointer.net/blog/projects/syste … ins-1.html

FWIW, the systemd man pages are generally pretty clear and comprehensive. Knowing how to use the software, and how it works, is the foundation for any understanding of your system.

Ferdinand · 2021-07-28 06:59:49

My two cents...
Learning the ins and outs of Linux takes a bit of patience, and it helps to accept that no matter how much you learn, there'll always be something you don't fully grasp.
A Zen approach helps; don't try to learn everything at once - just take it one bit at a time, and it will come to you
That said, I think a good way to go about it is to follow the boot process; start at the beginning and follow the links and read your way up.

pylong · 2021-07-28 09:38:06

I'm also relatively new to Linux. It took time to get to where I am at—a solid and functional Arch setup with just about everything I need working and lots of customization on it. I watched YouTube videos to help get me started, particularly this video on the install. It should be noted that around the time he is in the "post-install tweaks" section, you'll probably want to install linux-firmware if you're not running in a VM.

I got started out by watching videos from LearnLinuxTV, DistroTube, and EF - Linux Made Simple. From there, I got more comfortable with concepts in Linux and had an easier time understanding things in the Wiki. There is also an incredibly thorough project called "ArcoLinux" designed to guide people from Arch newbie to Arch master. Above all, don't get frustrated and have fun.

TheJaava · 2021-07-31 05:37:14

Ferdinand wrote:

That said, I think a good way to go about it is to follow the boot process; start at the beginning and follow the links and read your way up.

Sounds like solid advice. Thanks!

When I posted this I was very frustrated having installed linux on my main laptop that I use for school but something was very wrong with the DNS lookup or something. I couldn't reach github so I couldn't install really any packages. I just got more organized and reinstalled on the same machine and since then it's been more smooth and I'm continuing learning... I'll go ahead and mark this as solved since I don't think there's much more anyone can/will say to answer my original question.

Arch Linux

#1 2021-07-26 23:01:39

[SOLVED] resources for learning about arch

#2 2021-07-26 23:04:58

Re: [SOLVED] resources for learning about arch

#3 2021-07-26 23:14:22

Re: [SOLVED] resources for learning about arch

#4 2021-07-26 23:26:00

Re: [SOLVED] resources for learning about arch

#5 2021-07-28 06:59:49

Re: [SOLVED] resources for learning about arch

#6 2021-07-28 09:38:06

Re: [SOLVED] resources for learning about arch

#7 2021-07-31 05:37:14

Re: [SOLVED] resources for learning about arch

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