Arch Linux

Tsynique

Member

Registered: 2010-05-19

Posts: 37

Archlinux distribution update and versions

Hello all,

I am rather new to Archlinux and not entirely aware of the customs and the ways of Arch One thing that a guy like me who used Mandriva/Mandrake and some other (very user friendly) distros for most of his Linux life doesnt understand is this sentence in the Download section:

These [images] are intended for new installations only; an existing Arch Linux system can always be updated with `pacman -Syu`.

So, I simply run `pacman -Syu` every morning for like ten years with the same installation and I have the equivalent software as a guy who just downloaded and installed Archlinux version 2020.05?

Not that I don't believe or don't understand this but I just wish to know is it really that "simple and lightweight"

Last edited by Tsynique (2010-05-19 22:08:00)

some-guy94

Member

Registered: 2009-08-15

Posts: 360

Re: Archlinux distribution update and versions

Arch uses a rolling release model, the 'releases' are really just snapshots of what exists at the time.

In short, yes.

Tsynique

Member

Registered: 2010-05-19

Posts: 37

Re: Archlinux distribution update and versions

Ok, two things. I expected this answer but actually reading it makes extremely happy I ever tried Archlinux. And being sure I don't need to download any ISO every few months lifts a few hundred pounds of my chest.
Secondly, wow that was a fast answer - no wonder people say this distro is so awesome and so is the community behind it

Thanks!

hokasch

Member

Registered: 2007-09-23

Posts: 1,461

Re: Archlinux distribution update and versions

More answers are in the FAQ. The Beginners Guide in the wiki will get you started (beginners as in "new to arch", not as in "noob")...

But be aware that arch will stress your bandwith a lot more than downloading one iso every few months

Last edited by hokasch (2010-05-19 22:18:56)

Tsynique

Member

Registered: 2010-05-19

Posts: 37

Re: Archlinux distribution update and versions

But be aware that arch will stress your bandwith a lot more than downloading one iso every few months

Yeah I came to realize that but since I have a mirror not more than 100 km from my house (works up to ~5Mb/s) it barely takes a few minutes to download and install the updates (even on my ancient PC) - downloading an ISO, reinstalling the OS and then configuring everything, well that takes a while This also reminds of the fact that I usually reinstall windows like every 6 months (I use dual-boot) because they become cluttered and slow. When I had other Linux distros I disliked the fact that I have to reinstall them after there is a new version out. Turns out Archlinux lets me stay with one installation for life

BTW the wiki is great is here - using only that I managed to install everything I need (X11, ALSA, KDE, etc.) for my desktop having no previous knowledge of how such low level stuff is configured and installed (since I used Mandriva which does nearly everything for you). Now I don't even remember any config wizards or something - .conf files and terminal is my game

Last edited by Tsynique (2010-05-19 22:34:07)

karol

Archivist

Registered: 2009-05-06

Posts: 25,440

Re: Archlinux distribution update and versions

> BTW the wiki is great is here - using only that I managed to install everything I need (X11, ALSA, KDE, etc.) for my desktop
> having no previous knowledge of how such low level stuff is configured
Hats of to you!
I think we need a Hall of fame of sorts ;-)

> I just wish to know is it really that "simple and lightweight"
KDE is not what I would call lightweight but I'm glad it works for you.

Welcome to Arch, have a good time :-)

Tsynique

Member

Registered: 2010-05-19

Posts: 37

Re: Archlinux distribution update and versions

I just wish to know is it really that "simple and lightweight"
KDE is not what I would call lightweight but I'm glad it works for you.

Oh yeah, KDE isn't "simple and lightweight" that's for sure. However I was referring to Arch design in general.
But anyways back when I used Mandriva I fancied e17 for it's speed (and it's endless beauty, of course). Now I use KDEmod3 and it works as fast as e17 did on Mandriva. Haven't tried e17 on Arch because for regular day's work and development I need speed and convenience - I had the first with e17 (along with beauty again) and the latter with KDE3. When using Arch I have both with KDEmod3

Thanks for the welcome

P.S. I don't despise Mandriva - I couldn't, I just mention it so often because I used it most of the time before Arch and was very happy. Only now I'm happier
P.S.S. windows is what I do despise but that's another story.