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Why I Use Arch Linux (And Why You Might Not Want To)

Oct 10, 2024
6 min read
#linux#arch#productivity

Why I Use Arch Linux

Yes, I'm that person. I use Arch Linux. But before you roll your eyes, let me explain why - and more importantly, why it might not be for you.

The Arch Philosophy

Arch Linux follows the KISS principle: Keep It Simple, Stupid. But "simple" doesn't mean "easy." It means:

  • Minimal base system
  • No bloat or unnecessary packages
  • You build your system from the ground up
  • Rolling release (always up-to-date)

Why I Chose Arch

1. Control

I know exactly what's on my system because I installed it. No mystery packages, no bloatware, no surprises.

2. Learning

Installing Arch teaches you how Linux actually works:

  • Partitioning and filesystems
  • Boot loaders and init systems
  • Package management
  • System configuration

3. AUR (Arch User Repository)

The AUR is incredible. Almost any software you need is available, often more up-to-date than other distros.

4. Rolling Release

No more major version upgrades. Just 

pacman -Syu
and you're always current.

5. Documentation

The Arch Wiki is the best Linux documentation, period. Even if you don't use Arch, you'll reference it.

The Real Costs

Let's be honest about the downsides:

Time Investment

  • Initial setup: 2-4 hours (or more if you're learning)
  • Maintenance: Occasional breakage from updates
  • Troubleshooting: You're on your own

Stability Concerns

Rolling release means:

  • Updates can break things
  • You need to read update notes
  • Backups are essential

Not Beginner-Friendly

If you're new to Linux, start with:

  • Ubuntu or Linux Mint (user-friendly)
  • Fedora (cutting-edge but stable)
  • Pop!_OS (great for developers)

My Arch Setup

Here's what makes my system productive:

Window Manager: i3

Tiling window manager for keyboard-driven workflow. No mouse needed.

Terminal: Alacritty

GPU-accelerated, blazing fast, minimal configuration.

Shell: Zsh + Oh My Zsh

Powerful shell with great plugins and themes.

Editor: Neovim

Vim but modern. Configured with LSP for IDE-like features.

Tools

  • yay
    : AUR helper
  • tmux
    : Terminal multiplexer
  • fzf
    : Fuzzy finder
  • ripgrep
    : Fast grep alternative

When NOT to Use Arch

Don't use Arch if:

  • You need maximum stability (use Debian/Ubuntu LTS)
  • You're new to Linux (start with something easier)
  • You don't want to maintain your system
  • You need commercial support
  • You just want things to work™

The "I Use Arch BTW" Meme

Yes, Arch users have a reputation. But here's the thing: when you've invested hours building your perfect system, you're proud of it. It's like a developer showing off their dotfiles.

Conclusion

I use Arch because:

  • I enjoy the control and customization
  • I learn by doing
  • I appreciate the philosophy
  • The AUR is unmatched
  • It makes me a better Linux user

But it's not for everyone, and that's okay. Use what works for you.

The best Linux distro is the one that helps you get work done.

🐋 P.S. I use Arch btw.