Running Linux on Dev machine

[DannyDannyDanny]

First linux dev machine?

TL;DR: Etch kubuntu artix-cinnamon onto a USB stick and install it.

FAQ: What linux should I run?

...is like asking what instrument should I play? It mostly depends on what music you want to play.

Distro-hopping: Try some different linux distributions and see what you like.

After hopping for a bit, you'll notice there's more under the hood than which linux to distro to run. Most variants startup, behave or even looks somewhat similar. That's because on top of the base distribution there are many many "OS components". So the linux distro doesn't really matter. The real question is: what components to run?

FAQ: What components should I run?

The components are not well defined. Most operating system have a Kernel, some Utilities, maybe a Graphics Server, maybe a Desktop Environment, maybe a Window Manager and bunch of associated applications.

Defining the different component categories is non-trivial. Therefore you'll find different component-definitions in the image above, in this system configuration and in the images below.

I mean look at this:

Conclusion 1

If you have a lot of spare time follow a guide, otherwise use (k)ubuntu to start with.

[DannyDannyDanny]

Arch Linux

"my cool friend runs Arch"

FAQ: Why not install arch from scratch?

Other linux distros boldly market their "offline graphical installer" because installing arch manually drains the soul:

• Lukes Smith: After a Minimal Linux Install: Graphical Envionment and Users
• Lukes Smith: Arch Install (savage edition).
• The official arch installation guide, at time of writing is 27 sections and printing the manual with default settings results in 10 pages. Granted, the guide is extremely well written and if you actually read it, you'll install Arch Linux.
• Miscellaneous resource
  • This gist expands some of the Official installation guide's high level instructions.
  • Another guide (itsfoss)

At this point, this meme feels super relevant.

FAQ: I got Arch running!! What's next?

You'll realize that Arch comes with literally nothing. You need to install components to handle mouse inputs, display graphics and more. Check the final question in the FAQ.

FAQ: Why not use archfi installer?

Archfi Sucks: Archfi: So Called "Best" Arch Install Script by Brody Robertson.
Either way, here's the basic idea:

• Install Arch manually
• Install and run with curl -LO matmoul.github.io/archfi && sh archfi
• Can be pointed to towards any custom config
• Archfi EFI boot installation isn't working on Thinkpad E540
• Install LARBS curl -LO larbs.xyz/larbs.sh && sh larbs.sh (optional)

FAQ: Why not use the Anarchy Installer?

• Make USB bootable Anarchy Installer
• Anarchy features
  • Change core options (choose locale, time zone, partitioning etc)
  • Choose system (anarchy- budgie, cinnamon, gnome, open box, XFCE4)
• I have yet to find a combination (with encryption) that installs to MacBook Air
  • 🔴 encryption 🟢 desktop 🟢 add-user ➡️ FAIL waiting 10 seconds for device
  • 🔴 encryption 🔴 desktop 🔴 root-only ➡️ Success
  • 🟢 encryption 🔴 desktop 🟢 add-user ➡️ Success
  • 🟢 encryption 🔴 desktop 🟢 add-user ➡️ FAIL waiting 10 seconds for device
• Give up

FAQ: is there anyway I can install arch without losing my mind?

Yes, write your own install scripts. It will take many many days and they will occasionally break.

Conclusion: Customize on top of Arch

By itself, the distribution (debian, arch, ...) isn't important.
The central decision is the desktop environment + window manager (i3, xfce, kde, mate) and related top level stuff.

To get exactly what you want, choose a minimal distribution (like Arch)
and install your own chosen stuff on top of it.

All further notes on running arch linux have moved to #8

[DannyDannyDanny]

Issues regarding keyboard mappings have been moved to Moved to #7

[DannyDannyDanny]

Rigorous Testing

Don't randomly distro-hop. Distro-hop with a purpose. Most distros will have dealbreaker. Write down the dealbreakers and use them as a test suite.

This section also covers which:

• 💻 distro-hopping machines - are booted with different linux distros
• ♻️ OOB tests - are performed on the machines
• 🐧 linux distributions - are excluded and for what reason

💻 Distro Hopping Machines

• The testing is laptop specific and assumes the laptop has function keys that normally control volume, brightness etc.
• MacBook Air
• Lenovo Thinkpad E540

OOB (out of box) Tests

Sort the list such that the top tasks are easy for you to perform for you but hard from the distro and end with hard to test things which the computer often passes anyway.

• 👀 Looks good
• 🔒 Install Distribution
  • 🔒 Encrypt boot disk
• 👽 Connectability
  • 👽 Connect to iPhone hotspot
  • 👽 Connect to 5GHz WiFi
  • 👽 Connect to 2.4GHz WiFi
  • 👽 Connect to Ethernet
• ⌨️ Reasonable default keyboard settings
  • ⌨️ (KDE shortcuts suck)
  • ⌨️ Function keys control volume
  • ⌨️ Function keys control brightness
  • ⌨️ Function keys activates function buttons
  • ⌨️ Must have nice touchpad driver (how to quantify?)
  • ⌨️ Must be able to achieve #keyboard-layout mapping
• 🔈 Audio out
  • 🔈Stereo Audio through in-built speakers
  • 🔈 Stereo Audio through in-built headphone jack
  • 🔈 Play a clip on youtube
  • 🔈 Auto-play from soundcard (Scarlett Solo USB)
• ⬇️ Download and install teams in the command line
• 🧑‍💼 Use Teams
  • 🧑‍💼 Install Microsoft Teams (command line or GUI software manager)
  • 🧑‍💼 Open Microsoft Teams
  • 🧑‍💼 Teams Meeting test (sound out, sound in, screen share, webcam)
• 🌚 System theme sync: Folders, system applications and terminal all go light (or dark) when changing theme
• 🌐 Should have browser (but its not a must)

Overview

Base	Sub-distro	Last Tried	Test Machine	Failed Test
Linux Ubuntu	PuppyOS1 FossaPup64 9.5	Feb '22	MacBook Air A1370	🔒 Encrypt boot disk
Themed Arch Linux2	KDE Plasma	Feb '22	MacBook Air A1370	👀 Looks good
Themed Arch Linux2	Gnome	Feb '22	MacBook Air A1370	👀 Looks good
Manjaro 3	sway4 (21.2.4)	March '22	MacBook Air A1370	🧑‍💼 Open Microsoft Teams
Manjaro 3	i35 (21.2.3)	March '22	Thinkpad E540	🔈 Audio out
Manjaro 3	XFCE (21.2.4)	March '22	Thinkpad E540	🌚 System theme sync
Mint6	Mate (20.3)	March '22	MacBook Air A1370	🔈 Stereo Audio through in-built headphone jack
Mint6	Cinnamon (20.3)	March '22	MacBook Air A1370	🔈 Stereo Audio through in-built headphone jack
Linux Ubuntu	Kubuntu78	Mar '22	Lenovo Thinkpad E540	🔈 Auto-play from soundcard

• Add tails

Footnotes

1. Puppy OS ↩

2. Themed Arch Linux ↩ ↩²

3. Manjaro ↩ ↩² ↩³

4. Linux Manjaro Sway ↩

5. Linux Manjaro i3 ↩

6. Linux Mint ↩ ↩²

7. Kubuntu ↩

8. Kubuntu vs Ubuntu ↩

[DannyDannyDanny]

Exit Strategy

All further notes on running arch linux have moved to #8

[DannyDannyDanny]

Run ubuntu