[SOLVED] Trying a KDE Arch Linux Installation, need some info

shadogamon · 04-28-2011, 04:51 PM

this weekend , I'm going to try my hand at an arch install, planning on testing out the KDE install. But there are a few essential applets, that I need :

Virtual Keyboard LED indicator (gnome parralel = indicator keylock/ keylock applet)
USB device dismounter (Indicator USB, Gnome Mount Applet, Ejector)
Easy method for CPU scaling
Knowledge of whether or not something like Notify OSD is available

Preferably available in Repos, source acceptable
Also is there a graphic method of installing packages (gdebi style) in Arch ?
Any other tips are welcome.

Installation beginning tomorrow afternoon

linus72 · 04-28-2011, 04:56 PM

well, if you want a premade KDE version of ARCH maybe try Chakra
http://chakra-project.org/news/index...-released.html

or you could use it as a reference for what you are wanting to build

TheStarLion · 04-28-2011, 05:16 PM

For the LED indicator, I believe there's a plasmoid somewhere that can display the statuses of each.
Removable media is also handled for you as well, and no longer requires HAL under KDE either. There should be an applet in the KDE system tray (looks like a USB symbol in a circle) which gives you access to mounted Optical and USB media.

Not too sure on the third, but on the last there's the built in notification system. If you prefer it, you can build notify-osd from the AUR.

As to graphic package management, there are a few options such as KPackageKit, but otherwise no - it's done by the command line. However, if you're not familiar with Arch's package manager 'pacman' you may find the Pacman Rosetta page on the Arch wiki useful. Not to mention the main Pacman page itself.

Finally, if you start to find a lot of the packages you want are in the AUR, consider using an AUR-helper tool. Personally, I use yaourt because it matches Pacman's own syntax. You may want to look up more about AUR-helpers here (Also on the Arch Wiki)

shadogamon · 04-28-2011, 05:26 PM

Cool Beans

When I said graphic package management I meant like .debs or .rpms. I generally dislike using the terminal to manage files cause I never bothered to learn some of the shell basics (I'm a bit spoiled by *buntu) :X but i'm not completely opposed to using CLI

TobiSGD · 04-28-2011, 05:45 PM

If you don't want to use the CLI Arch is definitely not the distro for you. Just my opinion.

shadogamon · 04-28-2011, 05:50 PM

I'm fine with CLI just not dealing with files inside it; because of the way I organize my files, they often have 5/6 path items, so its easy to loose track. I usually just use "open folder in terminal" scripts

linus72 · 04-28-2011, 05:50 PM

Chakra has a GUI package manager and it's own User Repo, very similar to true ARCH.

MTK358 · 04-29-2011, 08:46 AM

@shadogamon

You should definitely learn to be comfortable in the CLI before using Arch. Unlike Ubuntu, you have to use the CLI in Arch for some things, even once you installed it.

And package management != file management. It's very different. I don't see any real need for a GUI package manager, the command line one works great. If you think that having to work in the command line is a bad thing, Arch is not for you.

shadogamon · 04-29-2011, 03:19 PM

I've already contemplated using the CLI, am fairly proficient with it. I'm using arch as a learning experience, to learn the intricacies of linux, and to build a semi minimalist system apart from my main install (that my siblings need to use) to experiment. I have no problems using CLI in methods that don't involve File Management (that's something ive been working on). As I see it, Arch can be the distro for anybody willing to make the effort to learn and build it right. Anything wrong in arch will most likely result from error on my part, not the developers. I WILL MASTER IT no matter how long it takes. I have used the terminal for everything other than browsing for packages anyway. The long list that Apt search brought up always kinda glazed over and made it easy to miss the package I was looking for. but I have since last posting found that both the Repos and AUR (a feature any distro should have) IMO are posted on the Arch site, making such things much easier. I like the direct and simple structure that Arch so far has shown me rather than the complex web of launchpad

MTK358 · 04-29-2011, 03:23 PM

Also, could you tell me why you are so against CLI file management? It's extremely simple:

Code:

ls                         - list files
cd                         - change directory
cp source dest             - copy a file
cp source1 source2 destdir - copy files into directory (use the -R option when copying a dir)
mv source dest             - move a file
mv source1 source2 destdir - move files into a directory
ln -s target linkname      - create a symlink

retrovertigo · 05-02-2011, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadogamon

The long list that Apt search brought up always kinda glazed over and made it easy to miss the package I was looking for.

Learn to use the grep command. It'll make things like this a lot easier.

$ pacman -Ss foo | grep bar

MTK358 · 05-02-2011, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retrovertigo

$ pacman -Ss foo | grep bar

pacman is Arch Linux's package manager. The OP says he uses APT.

retrovertigo · 05-03-2011, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTK358

pacman is Arch Linux's package manager.

Wow, really? I've been using Arch for a couple years and I never figured that out!

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTK358

The OP says he uses APT.

Yeah. He also said he was going to try an Arch install.

Your pedantry bores me.

MTK358 · 05-03-2011, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retrovertigo

Wow, really? I've been using Arch for a couple years and I never figured that out!

Since the OP mentioned APT, I thought he might get confused.

shadogamon · 05-03-2011, 03:17 PM

I like arch so far the only thing I'm having trouble with at the moment is my wifi (thank you broadcom -_-) I'll probably figure it out eventually thanks for the pointers!