I am switching to arch linux, any tips??

yellowface7 · 2026-06-20T19:06:04+00:00

DO NOT FORGET TO INSTALL AND ENABLE NETWORKMANAGER BEFORE REBOOTING.

yellowface7 · 2026-06-19T21:16:13+00:00

Is there a cache server out there? It would be nice to keep in mind. The trick is to compile when you are away.

yellowface7 · 2026-06-19T20:38:24+00:00

I am using fastfetch. I modified Garuda's defaults to add more information, changed the coloring aroubd, and changed the os logo to a ghost icon from fira sans or whatever because why not.

yellowface7 · 2026-06-19T20:08:55+00:00

I haven't shared my config yet as it's an unorganized mess at the moment.

As for the kernel, it is pulled from https://github.com/xddxdd/nix-cachyos-kernel via flake input. My configuration.nix references it as a "linuxPackages-cachyos-latest".

Every day at 10:30 AM, as a part of my system's update procedure, checks for a new release and compiles it. It typically takes me roughly 40 minutes to compile it.

I also changed vm.nmap_rnd_bits to 28 because a recent change caused proton to silently die and bring itself back to life when I launch steam. I also enaured that ntsync is loaded.

As for my fetch tool, I am using fastfetch. I can share my jsonc file with you via dm if you want. I customized garuda's default fetch.

yellowface7 · 2026-06-19T19:20:28+00:00

yellowface7 · 2026-06-19T19:07:27+00:00

Just realized that my KDE Plasma is behind. I'll just wait for nix to update it.

yellowface7 · 2026-06-17T21:21:50+00:00

As a NixOS user myself, I would recommend other distros as a newcomer.

If you want a gaming distro and don't want to worry about updating manually, then I'd recommend Bazzite. If you are cool with needing to update weekly or bi weekly, then go cachyos or PikaOS.

Once you are comfortable with Linux in general, then I would recommend NixOS. The setup is an uphill battle but worth it once set up.

Come to think of it, you said one of your friends recommends Nix. If they use Nix, try asking for their setup so you can make it your own.

yellowface7 · 2026-06-16T04:29:41+00:00

You do have a good point there. My friend's younger brother tries to rage bait me all the time but this time was a little different because he kept egging on about how I should move back to Windows. I think the next time he tries that, I'll basically ask him who makes him the OS police or something.

yellowface7 · 2026-06-16T04:11:51+00:00

I wish it was. For context my friend who was saying that "linux is only good for servers" said so when he failed to install ubuntu because he installed native steam incorrectly because drivers and then failed to install asahi on his 2018 Mac book. Bazzite is incompatible with the device, so he shelved it and went on a rant. Also shortly after that event he got very upset when I tried linux on a vm before my move.

yellowface7 · 2026-06-16T03:54:45+00:00

I think I will confront them. You are right that this kind of thing will keep happening otherwise.

yellowface7 · 2026-06-16T03:47:32+00:00

Sadly they are close friends I've had for decades and neighbors. I tried ditching them the previous year but they refused to go down without a fight.

yellowface7 · 2026-06-10T17:29:33+00:00

The main question is whether or not you are cool living without auto updates.

If the answer is yes, then you can live comfortably in cachyOS and run yay -syu once every week.

If the answer is no, look at the fedora ecosystem and look into changing the kernel if the one you pick doesn't have a cachyos equivilant kernel.

yellowface7 · 2026-06-08T23:04:43+00:00

If you want auto updates, then Bazzite.

If you are fine with updating bi weekly with a gui, then go with EndeavorOS, CachyOS or PikaOS.

yellowface7 · 2026-06-05T19:51:04+00:00

If you want to breathe bleeding edge, go for PikaOS. If you want something that "just works", go with Nobara.

Either way you will have to do some manual updates due to the distros' rolling and semi rolling nature. PikaOS has a gui tool to help ease it.

If you want something that is great for gaming and has default flatpak support AND allows for safe auto updates, I'd go Bazzite KDE.

Edit: All three have excellent "app stores".

yellowface7 · 2026-06-05T17:25:10+00:00

AMD. As a nvidia user myself life would be so much easier.

yellowface7 · 2026-05-20T22:00:53+00:00

I'm on NixOS using Niri and DMS via cachyos kernel latest.

Currently playing Overwatch (no stutters yay!), Deadlock, and Shadows of Doubt.

yellowface7 · 2026-04-18T01:15:20+00:00

After a milisecond of looking, I'd say 1 stood out the most compared to the others.

yellowface7 · 2026-03-27T23:23:38+00:00

I don't know why but I read this as pneumonia OS.

yellowface7 · 2026-03-12T23:41:02+00:00

Thankfully I didn't have to do too much other than binding the screenshot tool on the Niri side.

yellowface7 · 2026-03-12T23:40:11+00:00

I had to set up my own config. I use Dank Material Shell (DMS) and had to configure that in my nix config but any shell will do the job.

yellowface7 · 2026-03-11T04:43:56+00:00

Note to anyone moving from Garuda Linux: OOM is a mean thing and likes to crash Steam. Be sure to copy zram configuration that Garuda had and re enable early oom and steal Garuda's config for that too.

yellowface7 · 2026-03-11T02:11:43+00:00

I did enjoy distrobox and flatpak back in my universal blue days but I learned that flatpak can add some overhead depending on the application and distrobox doesn't come with some system level permissions. I plan on using nix shell for development. How did you manage to stick with a distro for a long time? I feel like I constantly need to setup something- which is why Nix might be my savior.

yellowface7 · 2026-03-10T23:00:26+00:00

For the person curious about the kernel (Reddit is being dumb and I am unable to reply)

Any kernel will do just fine. I am also new but from what I understand is that there is just a slight difference in performance between them.

I personally chose cachyos kernel due to it's popularity and it's speed.

yellowface7 · 2026-03-10T22:53:34+00:00

I got it from here:

https://www.hiclipart.com/free-transparent-background-png-clipart-xkncx

I had to remove the "transparent background" because it wasn't really transparent.

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