Arch Linux

wearyman

Member

Registered: 2007-07-26

Posts: 6

is Arch suitable?

Hello All,

I'm a Linux user but not a Linux understander.  I like what I read about Arch and think it may help me get educated.  A few questions before I buy a CD:

1.  I take it that the cd first installs a Linux kernel and then gives the options
     on what to install next?
2.  Are there the obvious packages for Open Office etc?
3.  Is there a package for digital photography, a very new hobby of mine?
4.  Will I be able to use my D-Link router to connect to the internet with Arch?

Hope the answers are in the affirmative!

ise

Developer

From: Karlsruhe / Germany

Registered: 2005-10-06

Posts: 404

Website

Re: is Arch suitable?

Hello All,
I'm a Linux user but not a Linux understander.  I like what I read about Arch and think it may help me get educated.  A few questions before I buy a CD:

You don't need to buy a CD, you can download it from the server legally. But if you want to buy one and gave the Archlinux project some money , you are welcome

1.  I take it that the cd first installs a Linux kernel and then gives the options
     on what to install next?

After the installation you have only a booting linux system with a console login, that's all. After that you decide what you want install next.

2.  Are there the obvious packages for Open Office etc?

Yes, there are packages in the repo. Ready to install.

3.  Is there a package for digital photography, a very new hobby of mine?

There are lots of packages for digital photography. If you want editing pictures, there is GIMP, for organizing there is f-spot and digikam, for RAW handling there is ufraw as plugin for gimp or standalone, for panorama pictures there is autopano-sift and hugin. You see, there are lots of packages for it, even more I haven't mentioned here

4.  Will I be able to use my D-Link router to connect to the internet with Arch?

Sure, there will be no problem if you set your settings right.

Daniel

Last edited by ise (2007-07-26 12:49:52)

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dolby

Member

From: 1992

Registered: 2006-08-08

Posts: 1,581

Re: is Arch suitable?

try starting with http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Beginners_Guide
i recommend reading all wiki pages u find interesting before attempting to install

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There shouldn't be any reason to learn more editor types than emacs or vi -- mg (1)
[You learn that sarcasm does not often work well in international forums.  That is why we avoid it. -- ewaller (arch linux forum moderator)

wearyman

Member

Registered: 2007-07-26

Posts: 6

Re: is Arch suitable?

Hi Dolby and Ise,

Thanks for very swift and re-assuring replies.  I'll read the Wiki and, doubtless, will have to come back with more questions.

Jack B

Member

Registered: 2006-06-27

Posts: 107

Website

Re: is Arch suitable?

Hi Wearyman, and welcome to arch.
Arch will probably get you educated - it is my first distro and it was a steep learning curve but I wouldn't switch now.

Firstly, unless you have an abysmal internet connection or no CD writer, you don't need to buy a CD, just download one.

In response to your questions:

1) yes, you get the kernel, then you can choose what packages you want.  You'll need most if not all of 'base', but if I were you I'd then install everything else from the online repositories using pacman.  Note that by default arch will not install a GUI (such as gnome or kde); you'll have to use command line to start with.  There are some good pages in the wiki to help with the installation process.

2) on the archlinux home page is a package search box.  if you enter openoffice in it it will tell you the packages that are avilable.  You'll need (IIRC) openoffice-base and a few more for your local language files, spelling dictionaries etc...  If you type

pacman -S package-name

as root pacman will grab and install the named package and anything it depends on.  Make sure you update your system first (pacman -Syu)

3) not sure what you mean... there are quite a few packages for graphics stuff, including the GIMP, which my brother uses fr photoediting.  The camera will probably work just like any USB device.

4) almost certainly; if it is a wired router it will be fine, if it is wireless you will need to find modules (drivers) for your computer's wireless card.

If you're just starting out you'll find the wiki very useful, particularly for the installation process. It isn't very user friendly, so you might want to print out the appropriate pages, or have another computer standing by to check things on.

have fun! arch is a great distro once you get used to it.
Jack

Edit: looks like I was a bit slow off the mark there...

Last edited by Jack B (2007-07-26 13:22:59)

retsaw

Member

From: London, UK

Registered: 2005-03-22

Posts: 132

Re: is Arch suitable?

If you already have Linux installed, you might prefer to try installing Arch from within your current distro: http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Ins … her_distro

This will allow you to setup Arch from a comfortable GUI environment, where you already have internet working and a web browser for reading the wiki.