Arch Linux

Jacek Poplawski

Member

From: Poland

Registered: 2006-01-10

Posts: 736

Website

distrowatch

Hi,

I was just curious why Arch Linux is so unpopular on distrowatch (I found it there in January 2006 and I am Arch user since that moment).

The distro description is still weak IMHO:

Arch Linux is an independently developed, i686-optimised Linux distribution targeted at competent Linux users. It uses 'pacman', its home-grown package manager, to provide updates to the latest software applications with full dependency tracking. Operating on a rolling release system, Arch can be installed from a CD image or via an FTP server. The default install provides a solid base that enables users to create a custom installation. In addition, the Arch Build System (ABS) provides a way to easily build new packages, modify the configuration of stock packages, and share these packages with other users via the Arch Linux User Repository.

Advanced or intermediate should be used instead competent. There is not a word about community in the description... Forum is important part of distro to me.
Simple? Fast? Powerful? Lightweight? Flexible? Easily expandable? Best?
Well... Arch Linux is like that, but this description tells nothing about it.

BTW has MPlayer been removed from 0.8 release? At least there is empty cell for mplayer in distrowatch array...

bwalk

Member

Registered: 2007-03-21

Posts: 177

Re: distrowatch

Who cares? Those who like arch will find to it, others can stay away. Gentoo got that really popular on distrowatch and now they are in severe trouble. We all know the qualities of arch.

iphitus

Forum Fellow

From: Melbourne, Australia

Registered: 2004-10-09

Posts: 4,927

Re: distrowatch

Distrowatch rating is based on amount of clicks and downloads. We don't release often, and thus there's little interest.

Other distros who think they're apparently important setup extra clicks to give themselves more votes.

Do not take any care whatsoever about the distrowatch ratings. They're not important.

James

Dieter@be

Forum Fellow

From: Belgium

Registered: 2006-11-05

Posts: 2,002

Website

Re: distrowatch

Personally I think it's a very good description.  It clearly (and objectively) says what arch is about, although the kiss methology could use a  little more attention.
All the stuff you (Jacek) say, are just subjective adverbs.  Adverbs that probably each and every distro would like to have in it's description.

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neotuli

Lazy Developer

From: London, UK

Registered: 2004-07-06

Posts: 1,204

Website

Re: distrowatch

BTW has MPlayer been removed from 0.8 release? At least there is empty cell for mplayer in distrowatch array...

Clearly the description should explain what rolling release means then.

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The suggestion box only accepts patches.

chaosgeisterchen

Member

From: Kefermarkt, Upper Austria

Registered: 2006-11-20

Posts: 550

Re: distrowatch

I would like to state that I have no idea, which window manager would be installed, if one decides to install Arch plus GUI, as XOrg seems to be included in the distribution.

Thanks for the answer in advance.

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