3 ms·

The thing I like about ubuntu is that some things you don't really have to tweak to get right, like font rendering under X (such as having to go and use AUR to

by wwortiz 17y ago

The thing I like about ubuntu is that some things you don't really have to tweak to get right, like font rendering under X (such as having to go and use AUR to get ubuntu type rendering). I liked arch for a little bit but just like ubuntu more, debian sadly is too dated for my hardware and I don't feel like using sid. If you do like arch for the fact that you can start from the ground up you should try doing an ubuntu minimal install (from here: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Installation/MinimalCD https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Installation/MinimalCD).

bitwize 17y ago
Not what I was looking for. That just snarfs packages from FTP rather than providing them on the CD. I don't use Arch because I want the absolute bare minimum of functionality. I am just tired of seeing comments of the type: # don't edit this file; use debian-specific-tool(8) instead to change it in my /etc. I want to tweak e.g., resolv.conf my own damn self, without fearing that I'm interfering with the distro's way of doing things. That's what I want from my Linux. Arch gets me most of the way there, has a kick-ass package system and rolling releases like Gentoo, but without the hassle of recompiling the freaking world when some critical library changes.
- wwortiz 17y ago
  Last time I used a minimal install it was pretty small (it does grab packages from a cd but only a minimal installation of ubuntu). It was more if you just like having the minimal system and choosing which software you wanted. Debian administration really isn't as bad as you seem to think but you're welcome to your opinions. Personally I like BSD's (mostly freebsd) and am using ubuntu for matlab and an unsupported wireless card in bsd, but that just makes arch seem lacking when I use it
anc2020 17y ago
> debian sadly is too dated for my hardware and I don't feel like using sid Did you try debian testing? My experience with rolling release: I tried Gentoo and then Arch, moving off both after they pushed updates which completely broke my system. Gentoo has a disclaimer that you need to check each update individually, Arch was a little bit more realistic, but on the flip-side contradictory - some places they tell you to just update often, and others tell you to check packages for problems as with Gentoo. If you do not intend to check each update for breakages (like me), then my advice is to not use Gentoo or Arch (but if you are willing to check all updates, then I'd recommend them). Debian testing's been okay for me so far and I've got greater confidence that they a) won't be as likely to break my system, and b) will send an update to revert or fix in a reasonable time if they do. If (or when?) this breaks, I'll go back to Ubuntu, full circle.

by wwortiz 17y ago

bitwize 17y ago

Not what I was looking for. That just snarfs packages from FTP rather than providing them on the CD. I don't use Arch because I want the absolute bare minimum of functionality. I am just tired of seeing comments of the type: # don't edit this file; use debian-specific-tool(8) instead to change it in my /etc. I want to tweak e.g., resolv.conf my own damn self, without fearing that I'm interfering with the distro's way of doing things. That's what I want from my Linux. Arch gets me most of the way there, has a kick-ass package system and rolling releases like Gentoo, but without the hassle of recompiling the freaking world when some critical library changes.

wwortiz 17y ago
Last time I used a minimal install it was pretty small (it does grab packages from a cd but only a minimal installation of ubuntu). It was more if you just like having the minimal system and choosing which software you wanted. Debian administration really isn't as bad as you seem to think but you're welcome to your opinions. Personally I like BSD's (mostly freebsd) and am using ubuntu for matlab and an unsupported wireless card in bsd, but that just makes arch seem lacking when I use it

anc2020 17y ago

> debian sadly is too dated for my hardware and I don't feel like using sid Did you try debian testing? My experience with rolling release: I tried Gentoo and then Arch, moving off both after they pushed updates which completely broke my system. Gentoo has a disclaimer that you need to check each update individually, Arch was a little bit more realistic, but on the flip-side contradictory - some places they tell you to just update often, and others tell you to check packages for problems as with Gentoo. If you do not intend to check each update for breakages (like me), then my advice is to not use Gentoo or Arch (but if you are willing to check all updates, then I'd recommend them). Debian testing's been okay for me so far and I've got greater confidence that they a) won't be as likely to break my system, and b) will send an update to revert or fix in a reasonable time if they do. If (or when?) this breaks, I'll go back to Ubuntu, full circle.