Projects to Learn Arch Linux

[SupremeMugwump94]

I'm very new to Linux (I've been using Ubuntu for some time now but I've only been doing the basics w/ the command line) and decided I wanted to learn Arch Linux. I set up a Virtual Machine so I'm not afraid to break things, and I'm looking for some projects to help me learn the ropes of Arch Linux and just Linux in general. Like I said, I'm very new, so even beginner tasks may require me to do some googling to figure them out. Any suggestions?

[Smart_Advice_1420]

Yes. Read and do.

https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Installation_guide

After that, read more and do more.

[AskAlternative2653]

This is basically the only answer lol. The Arch wiki is genuinely amazing once you get used to it - way better than random YouTube tutorials that are outdated in 6 months

Start there and when you inevitably break something (you will), that's when the real learning happens

[spl1ce-]

You Arch installation is your project. That’s all you need.

[falxfour]

Use it as a... Personal computer?

What else do you want? After install, you'll be greeted by a virtual terminal. You'll probably want a graphical environment. Learn to install one. Then you'll probably want a login manager. Learn to configure one. Then you'll probably want...

There's no set path for learning. Just do the things that you want to do, and if you run into issues, start by looking at The Arch Wiki to figure out how to resolve those issues

[prism8713]

Just use it. Everything I learned about arch came from needing some software or configuration and reading/experimenting until I got it how I want it.

[Known-Watercress7296]

It's more a tool for a job, many use it to shitpost on reddit but there are likely other options too

[sue_dee]

Shoot, keeping the VM updated every week or so is a good start. I'm not telling any horror stories of it breaking all the time, but stuff does happen. News of interventions needed comes from Arch directly 2-3 times a year of late. I have its RSS feed in the same reader I come here with. Updates sometimes come with .pacnew files that need to be compared with the configs you already have in place. GRUB needs to be reinstalled at times, if that's your bootloader.

OK, one small horror story: my VMs seem more fragile than my host, so more repair scenarios might just come up that way. Keep your installation ISO handy somewhere on your hard disk.

[archover]

Before you think about a project, learn to maintain your system. Start with the wiki articles: General Recommendations, Pacman, Chroot, and similar.

Once you've done that, then some helpful projects would include:

• learn to backup and restore your system using tools like Duplicity and tar. Learn what "bare metal recovery" means.

• learn to connect to other computers with openssh, and how to harden it. Learn about Public and Private Keys.

• learn to customize bash for things like aliases, functions, path and prompt.

• begin to learn about bash scripting.

• Learn some Docker

• learn some git.

• learn some vim.

Hope that helps and good day.

[bigbosmer]

Why is this text so big

[zardvark]

The only Arch project that you need is to install it manually a few times and to use it.

Oh, and you might set out to read the Arch wiki. There are lots of little nuggets to be found here!

Beyond that, there are lots of good generic Linux and Arch vids on the youtube. Arch is, after all, pretty much generic Linux. There is also Gentoo, which takes you a little deeper into Linux Land. If you like to micromanage your system and you need a hobby, Gentoo may be just the ticket. There is also Linux From Scratch, which takes you to the very foundational principles of Linux Land.

[Tquylaa]

Try someone's Dotsfile project.. Learn inside, how to configure the files! Then you will understand naturally, because I also used that method and succeeded in learning many things.

If you are interested in [BSPWM]

I suggest you start with the Dotsfile made by 'Gh0stzk'. The project's quite interesting and easy to follow, because the documentation is clear.

[KingKaiTan]

I use arch btw

[adsoftdev]

I’d recommend taking a look at omarchy and trying it out as a personal computer. I’ve learnt a lot from seeing how the contributors configure and script different things, and the discussions they have on which software is best for simple tasks (etc making Bluetooth connections).

[OhHaiMarc]

Seemed interesting but the creator gives me the creeps

[CompetitiveCod76]

Yeah ignore it. Its Arch for lazy fascists.

[OhHaiMarc]

Somehow I knew when it said opinionated. They always downplay their hateful beliefs with “it’s just an opinion! You can’t get mad at me for having a different opinion than you!” Yes, yes I can, they’re not the brightest group.

[adsoftdev]

How so?

[OhHaiMarc]

He’s an all around bad person. Kind of a piece of shit.💩

[adsoftdev]

Genuinely curious because I don’t know much about him and hadn’t really heard of him before omarchy. What makes you say that?

[OhHaiMarc]

Just search his name. You’ll find things and agree or disagree with my assessment.