Arch Linux Installation

#Intro

I intended to document the Arch installation (v.2024.03.01) on both via the “menu” installation and via the terminal.

But in both instances I decided instead to give you my beginners opinion.
You can find easily both process on the web from people with more expertise than me.

I did use WIFI on both installation, so I had both time to first to connect my network via the terminal typing: (all the word like that are specific to me)

• ip addr show (to check my address, I didn’t have one so…)
• iwctl (to enter the iwd)
• station wlan0 get-networks (to see available network)
• exit (to exit iwd)
• iwctl –passphrase “password” station wlan0 connect network (to connect to your network)
• ip addr show (to check if now you have an ip address)

#Easy Installation

As the word say, it was easy: I mean, you boot the system via USB flash drive, wait till load,

type: “ archinstall ” just below the multicolored line and you are presented with a menu style where you edit every line, once at the end, confirm the settings and let the system boot.

It probably took 15min in total which is what you want to be honest from a beginner point of view.

I think the experience isn’t harder than Debian 12 to be honest. It is also very minimal with no distraction. As I didn’t encounter any problem I didn’t feel was necessary to documented.

Overall was a very good experience!

#Hard Installation

This was a long installation, for me at least.

Again there was no point to document the process as half way trough I stop writing down every single line on my notebook. I try to follow the Arch instruction but… I’m too new to the terminal.

I followed the installation from “Learn Linux TV”. The only difference was size partitions and the fact that I installed plasma instead of gnome.
Basically you partition your drive and then start to install all the program and dependencies till finally you reach the end. I can see though the point: you have a granular control of you what you want and how on your machine, which is a big plus.

No issue encounter here too, but credit to who I followed! By the way it took me almost two hours to complete the process if you wonder.

#Conclusion

Both way obviously have pro and cons but I’m glad there is also an easy installation.

One is faster and more intuitive but you have limited control; the other one has a slower process and require more knowledge but you are able to control everything.

Obviously without the easy installation I would have opt to skip Arch for a while. Now at least I can start learning this system it too.

Lastly I briefly note on Plasma, I can see why is so popular, you can personalize everything.

I think soon I will maybe install Qtile to give it a go.