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Discussion on: Is using Linux really productive?

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dhruvgarg79 profile image
Dhruv garg

I just read about arch linux and rolling release(didn't knew much before).

It seems that arch linux gets latest updates very fast (which makes it less stable) and you have to configure it to make a complete OS like Ubuntu. I would definitely want to go through the same process as you to configure everything on arch linux from start in future, but would definitely go with Manjaro for now if want to use arch based linux.

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mozram profile image
cr1tikal

This is where you should probably make full use of Docker container. I have different container for different project, where rolling release nature of Arch wont be a problem for me. My containers will always in stable state.

Yes, it will take some times to setup Linux, but it will worth it.
Btw, I use Arch.

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ashleymavericks profile image
Anurag Singh • Edited

For lesser worries regarding Arch Installation, I suggest using the archfi script by MatMoul.

One more quick tip, while installing use IITK mirror if you are currently residing in India. Its blazing fast.

Btw, I use Arch

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gottz profile image
Jan-Stefan Janetzky

you need to tweak your mindset.
yes, at first arch might scare you away because it's rolling release.. but..
if you understand how pacman works, what pacnew files are and that you should always check the news before updating, you will get a insanely stable experience on it.

some projects have a few bugs.. kde on wayland for example.. but using that is really bleeding edge.

in general you are the one making the decisions when it comes to your installations.

apart from that, the archlinux irc on freenode is filled with people willing to help.

side note: i even use arch on servers

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samuelfaure profile image
Samuel-Zacharie FAURE

I agree on the last point, however the rolling release system is actually pretty stable if you know what you're doing - which can be hard for a beginner.

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joelbonetr profile image
JoelBonetR 🥇

Someone told me once that the best Debian based distro is Debian, haven't you tried it? 😁
I recommend you to use Elementary OS and Snap.
Setting up a new laptop for work lasts only an hour like this and the software is more containerized.
If you have time, mounting all parts by your own (a.k.a. creating your own distro in some manner) is the way to learn how it works pretty well as Samuel pointed out.

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prodigit80 profile image
ProDigit

Depends, best for what?
If you're looking for a non gui thing, perhaps, yes, but the last debian I played around with, looked like a 2005 Redhat clone. Like, between a windows 95, NT, and a 3.11.

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joelbonetr profile image
JoelBonetR 🥇

It was only something like a joke, but you can add your preferred GUI into it and.. tada! a debian with nice GUI on it.
The other way to go is the same as Elementary OS does. It's based on Ubuntu (which is based on Debian). Then decouples packages from it and repack all into a lighter distro for being more efficient (with a prettier and easy to use GUI).
Feren OS was nice at the beginning, now it's more like a nonsense Frankenstein monster.

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ginsburgnm profile image
Noah Ginsburg

I would recommend you not use snaps. They're buggy, and slow. Which is exactly what the poster was complaining about (bugs and speed). In fact, it's possible that the poster would have a better time if snap was completely purged from the system and the existing snap packages were appropriately replaced by the equivalent Debian packages.

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joelbonetr profile image
JoelBonetR 🥇

I've had issues with Discord only on snap, then i installed it as deb package and it was still buggy so i assumed it was version bugs and used it on web version.
I'm using docker, php storm, spotify, gitkraken, slack, dbeaver and more everyday without issues TBH.
I'll need to check your speed concerns between deb and snap packages to see if it makes an observable difference. If it does I'll simply move phpstorm and gitkraken out of the snap as on big projects these two are the most resource-consuming packages (both indexes the entire project). Thanks for the info

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ginsburgnm profile image
Noah Ginsburg

There are plenty of people that have tested things such as startup speeds, some snaps taking almost a minute to load vs their Deb versions taking a couple seconds:

Here's a link, happy to help

discourse.ubuntu.com/t/testing-def...

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joelbonetr profile image
JoelBonetR 🥇

Thanks I'll take a look, at the first sight it seems the article talks about load times only which is something i haven't to concern about. I open all software at the beginning of the day while taking a coffee and i didn't close it till I'm about to go home.
I'll look this article further and make some tests with the apps i use and will see.

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frnco profile image
Fernando Cordeiro

Still, printing the Arch Installation and Beginner's guide and following it for a couple times will give you a completely new perspective on how your system works. I suggest everyone that works with computers includes doing that on their to-do list, even if just as study/practice. When things break, no matter how badly, and you know you can fix it without formatting, it's awesome.

Plus, by using the terminal so much, you start to write code that works like that. Many friends think it's funny how I use the terminal to check stuff, be it searching for packages or reading documentation, but this actually feels very liberating, and I can say for sure I make better stuff, and faster, because of this understanding.