I’ve installed Vanilla Arch Linux all kinds of ways, but using this graphical installer method was the fastest ‘n easiest by far. 🤠

Arch Linux GUI:

ALG is not a distribution. With that been said, it is not an Arch Linux based distribution either. It is Arch Linux itself, ready to use. This is an attempt to bring Vanilla Arch Linux to directly to users…

Not as User Friendly, or as Fast, or as Automated, or as Graphical as Garuda Linux, but it’s going to be popular…especially for those who already know how to move around in the terminal. It took me a lot of time to figure out how to use pacman in the terminal (BTW, haven’t used a terminal command line yet in Garuda Linux.), and add other stuff. Yes, even Package Managers are Fragmented in Linux.

Introduction

I downloaded the 1.80 GB archlinux-gui-cinnamon-2021.12-x86_64.iso from SourceForge. Have installed it to a test 120 GB SSD, and also permanently to a 64 GB SanDisk Ultra Fit USB. Booted the NVIDIA Grub choice…

If you ever installed Arch wid the terminal ‘n command lines, or even wid one of the fancy semi-graphical scripts, then you’re going to really appreciate the Calamares Installer…so much faster ‘n easier to install this way.

Am sure these pictures are out of order from the actually install process, but I ended up getting them mixed in wid other tests…I always do ‘Dat!?  🙄

Unlike Manjaro 21.1.2 Cinnamon, Arch Linux GUI had no NVIDIA or Kernel issues.

They offered Plasma, Gnome, Xfce, Cinnamon & Mate DE’s:

Have never tried those 2 Window Managers ‘Thingies.

DemonKiller seems to be the main Developer on the Arch Linux GUI Project:

He’s done an excellent job, and also offers YouTube videos of the process.

‘BTW, you CAN‘:

This test ‘n the Garuda Linux tests are the most fun I have ever had wid any Arch or Arch-based OS. Garuda Linux seems like it is truly focused on normal Desktop users, and they are going to be great if they keep improving like they have over the past year.

  • Note: Was going to make this in two Parts, but looks like I can squeeze it into one…

Standard User Desktop Section

I’m not familiar wid Arch ‘n ‘Archies‘ Package Managers, so I have spent a lot of time on the Terminal, and searching the internet for ways to install apps *AND* Graphical Package Managers. In Garuda Linux it was mostly automated and/or graphical, so I haven’t spent anytime at the Terminal there. However, I had discovered there that I could install lots of Graphical Package Managers, so wanted to do the same here wid Arch Linux GUI.

As mentioned earlier, I have done installs to a test 120 GB SSD, and also permanently to a 64 GB SanDisk Ultra Fit USB, but the pics have been mixed. No biggie, other than some drive size differences in some pics.

During the first install to the test 120 GB SSD, I decided to try something different in the next installation test, i.e. add all the apps ‘n Graphical Package Managers in the Standard ‘Password Dependent‘ User section first.

Lots of ‘Terminal Time‘ in the standard user section, but barely any in the ‘Root‘ User section, since a lot of the standard ‘Stuff’ was now also in the ‘Root‘ section.

Once I got Pamac Add/Remove Software installed, I was then able to install GNOME Software, which is one of my favorite Package Managers:

I ended up wid Alacritty, Discover, Pamac, and Gnome Software so far. Alacritty doesn’t seem to work as well as it did in Garuda Linux. The Panel icons don’t look as good in standard section as they do in the ‘Root‘ section, so I’ll use the ‘Root‘ section Panel pic here:

I may add more over the next day or so, but for now I’m just super impressed wid Arch Linux GUI.

‘Root‘ User Desktop Section

No annoying “Authenticate” popup/s or ‘Pesky Passwords‘ over here in the Fulltime Linux Root User section! Sound Settings don’t work, and I don’t think the music player does either, but am still testing. Works in standard user section tho, if you don mind the Linux ‘Nanny‘.  😝

Here’s the System Info from the 64 GB SanDisk Ultra Fit USB installation:

  • BTW, I had to manually format that USB during installation, i.e. because that was the only option it offered for USB.

Here’s the ‘Root‘ Account details:

Conclusion

Still testing, but this Arch Linux GUI has worked like a ‘Champ‘ throughout these tests.

Will be moving it into the #4 spot on the Karmi’s Top 10 4 5 Linux Distros page. I don’t think it can move ahead of Garuda Linux right now, especially if Garuda Linux keeps it automated ‘n graphical performance going like it has.

Will also add Arch Linux GUI to the Vanilla Arch Linux page, and will try to remember to add it to the Windows 11 page….

I’m tired, so will end ‘n send! 😉

LINUX IS LIKE A BOX OF CHOCOLATES – you never know what you’re gonna get!

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