I realize I may get some flack on this question, but here it goes....

I just finished my Arch install last week. Since Arch is essentially a blank slate where do I start.

I have updated using Syy and Syu,and added a user. I would definitely like to add a web browser, email, Open Office, and a media player.
Probably would not hurt to add a GUI.

I guess the real question is whether there is an order to which I need to adhere to.....for functionality.

BTW- Yes I am new to Linux, but I chose Arch so that I would be forced to learn every inch of the Linux architecture.

Any help and direction would be great.

S

You have a few things listed there. I would say pick the one you feel most comfortable with or want the most. I will sometimes update the browser right away if I know I am going to be doing a lot of reading, because I prefer to use a specific one.

Good luck with everything.

Have you been following the arch Beginners' Guide?

It lists out the steps you require.

BTW installing X is where you should start for a GUI.

So you're working cli-only right now?

Since all the programs you want to use are gui, then it follows that that's where you should go next. So you'll need to install X and a desktop environment (or just a window manager if you want to go light). Depending on your hardware, you may have to install proprietary video drivers if you want to enable 3D compositing (which I highly recommend if you decide to use KDE. It's a system hog without it).

After that, just choose whatever interests you and go for it. There's no "correct" or recommended path to follow when it comes to general-purpose computing.