What is a good Arch Linux setup?

Altiris · 08-01-2013, 09:23 PM

I would like to try Arch Linux, I have tried Manjaro and was pleased with the way package management works and the variety of packages that there are. However, since I will be building this from the ground up I want to know what are the best window managers, file managers, and desktop environments for my needs. I am a gamer and modeler so I would like something lightweight or basically something that isnt heavy on resources. I would like a window manager or desktop environment (idk which one) that has composting disabled or disables composting on full screen applications (it affects gaming performance negatively, same with modeling).

As for my other applications such as Skype, Spotify, Code::Blocks, Eclipse, VLC, and maybe a few others I know that there are packages already for Arch.

snowday · 08-01-2013, 09:35 PM

https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php...ical_interface

I personally am typing this from the lightweight Xfce desktop environment.

digitarch · 08-02-2013, 12:01 AM

As far as desktops go, I recommend openbox for tweaking, XFCE for a less time-consuming set-up.

youniquegeek · 08-02-2013, 03:07 AM

Here's my two cents: I had a successful Arch install with KDE. Just follow their instructions here: https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/KDE#Installation

Around that times I tried GNOME and it resulted in lots of problems. XFCE was quite bare or missing mime data here or there.

Otherwise, other window managers I could not tell you about.

kooru · 08-02-2013, 04:27 AM

XFCE could be a good choice for you

szboardstretcher · 08-02-2013, 08:23 AM

My arch set up is very light.

Window manager: Openbox
Monitoring: Conky
TaskBar: Tint2
Wallpaper: Nitrogen
Explorer: Rox

ozar · 08-02-2013, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Altiris

I want to know what are the best window managers, file managers, and desktop environments for my needs.

Hello

I have a number of different Arch boxes, each one running a different stand-alone window manager, or desktop environment. Those boxes consist of Awesome, DWM, Gnome3, KDE4, Openbox, and Xfce4. Each and every one of them has its good and bad points. For stand-alone window managers, I prefer DWM or Openbox. For desktop environments, my preference is KDE4, or Xfce4. However, you'd need to actually try each one to decide which ones you prefer. For file management, Rox-filer works well for me with stand-alone window managers, but I prefer the default file manager for each of the various desktop environments.

Try some of the options mentioned above and let us know how it all goes for you.