Before I install Arch w/XFCE on my old computer...

pogeymanz · 2008-03-27 22:41:14

I'm installing Arch on an older computer and I want to keep it kind of lean. The computer is a PIII @ 1Ghz w/512MB RAM, so it isn't old-old; but it's just old enough that I don't want a lot of extra junk, which is precisely why XFCE was my choice of DE.

I'm doing my homework and read the Arch XFCE wiki and saw a package called "xfce-goodies." What is in that package?

Also, this computer has a wireless internet connection, so two questions:

1: Will I be able to connect to the web before I need to install xorg and networkmanager?

2: Will nm-applet work on the xfce-panel, or will I have to do tricks to get it to work. I know it works in Xubuntu, but that doesn't mean it works in default xfce.

tigrmesh · 2008-03-27 23:00:11

For Arch, a PIII is fine.

Once you've installed arch and done your first pacman -Syu, you'll be able to do
pacman -Sg xfce-goodies
to find out what's in that group. (I did it for you, and it contains thunar-thumbnailers)

1. Actually, you won't be able to install xorg without getting online. Have a look at the beginner's guide: http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Beginners_Guide, or the official install guide: http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Off … tall_Guide.

2. nm-applet shouldn't need a lot of extra tricks to work. But while you're at it, why not try wicd? Or netcfg2 http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Network_Profiles?

pogeymanz · 2008-03-27 23:29:47

With netcfg2, will I be able to see all the wireless networks around me and wether or not they need a password? Theoretically my home network should always be up and my computer probably wont be moving anywhere, but you never know when connecting to another network will be necessary. Also, is there a panel plugin that will show me that kind of info if I use netcfg2?

EDIT: Nevermind, it was at the bottom of the wiki... Sorry

Last edited by pogeymanz (2008-03-27 23:34:34)

pogeymanz · 2008-03-27 23:31:56

Actually, my #1 question was the other way around from how you answered it. I know that I need to be online to get xorg, but I was asking if I will be able to GET online without installing netcfg2/whatever. And now that I think about it, probably not... I will just need to plug into the network for a few hours and then move back to where it belongs I guess.

tigrmesh · 2008-03-27 23:37:34

Necfg2 is probably on the new install cd. I know wireless drivers are.

edit: links, a web browser, should also be on the CD, so you can check the wiki if you need.

Last edited by tigrmesh (2008-03-27 23:39:41)

dyscoria · 2008-03-27 23:38:17

pogeymanz wrote:

Actually, my #1 question was the other way around from how you answered it. I know that I need to be online to get xorg, but I was asking if I will be able to GET online without installing netcfg2/whatever. And now that I think about it, probably not... I will just need to plug into the network for a few hours and then move back to where it belongs I guess.

A package called wireless_tools is included in the install CD which allows you to use the CLI to configure a wireless network. See the 'connect manually' section in this gentoo wiki article: http://gentoo-wiki.com/HOWTO_Wireless_C … nd_Startup

AFAIK this should be enough to get your wireless going.

[edit: Tigrmesh is right, the netcfg package is in core now, so get the new iso's]

Last edited by dyscoria (2008-03-27 23:39:43)

pogeymanz · 2008-03-28 00:21:55

What about WPA Supplicant? Is that on the CD too? If this is too difficult, it might be easier to just move my system back and forth.

I'll try this way. But I probably wont have enough time to play with the computer for a few weeks.

tigrmesh · 2008-03-28 00:35:55

WPA Supplicant too .

pogeymanz · 2008-03-28 13:13:40

One more question:

What would happen if I just didn't install gdm/kdm/slim? Would I just login in pure text mode? Or do I really need a login manager?

serrghi · 2008-03-28 13:51:07

You start at login prompt. But theres a simple way of bypassing that if you want autologin, and dont want any login managers.

bgc1954 · 2008-03-28 13:56:50

Your choice

If you don't want a login manager you can just use startx after you login. Just put an .xinitrc file in your home directory containing:

exec startxfce4

or just type in startxfce4 after login.

Arch Linux

#1 2008-03-27 22:41:14

Before I install Arch w/XFCE on my old computer...

#2 2008-03-27 23:00:11

Re: Before I install Arch w/XFCE on my old computer...

#3 2008-03-27 23:29:47

Re: Before I install Arch w/XFCE on my old computer...

#4 2008-03-27 23:31:56

Re: Before I install Arch w/XFCE on my old computer...

#5 2008-03-27 23:37:34

Re: Before I install Arch w/XFCE on my old computer...

#6 2008-03-27 23:38:17

Re: Before I install Arch w/XFCE on my old computer...

#7 2008-03-28 00:21:55

Re: Before I install Arch w/XFCE on my old computer...

#8 2008-03-28 00:35:55

Re: Before I install Arch w/XFCE on my old computer...

#9 2008-03-28 13:13:40

Re: Before I install Arch w/XFCE on my old computer...

#10 2008-03-28 13:51:07

Re: Before I install Arch w/XFCE on my old computer...

#11 2008-03-28 13:56:50

Re: Before I install Arch w/XFCE on my old computer...

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