Arch setup - Selecting packages

dan653

dan653

dan653

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just trying to get my head around the rather involved install procedure (http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Beginners_Guide#Select_Packages)

is it okay just to install all the packages from the core .iso? unsure as this just seems to go against everything else i've read in the referenced guide, how do i know whats needed or rather how this will help me learn whats needed? or will that be just too much like jumping in at an extra-specially deep-end as opposed to just the deep-end
 
You can install all of the packages from the core .iso but I can't recommend it. The majority of the packages wouldn't be needed and it really goes against 'the arch way'.

What most people do is install everything in the 'base' group of packages and nothing else. Even then there are several packages that can be removed but if it's your first time select them all. After the install has finished and you've configured everything boot into your arch install, run a full upgrade (pacman -Syu) and then install things like the xorg and desktop environment/window manager etc. That way only packages you definitely need will be installed, plus they will be completely up to date.
 
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ok thanks

having a little trouble using either of the text editors for editing the system configuration files, can anyone point to me to a beginners guide to using these editors

secondly the arch wiki mentions looking up the available options as stated in /etc/rc.conf just press Alt+F2 to get a shell, look it up, and switch back to the installer with Alt+F1, how do i do this, i understand the basics of browsing the filesystem but dont know where to look for the available options

http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Beginners_Guide#Configure_The_System
 
http://www.gentoo.org/doc/en/nano-basics-guide.xml

very basic nano guide from Gentoo. I always install joe and use that, it's what i started on and it's really quick.

The part about /etc/rc.conf is saying that you need to configure your rc.conf file (where the important system settings like modules, language hostname etc. are kept) and you can hit alt-F1 to switch to another shell (command line) and look up an /etc/rc.conf (presumably the install has an example one) this can be done with less /etc/rc.conf
 
cheers, for the second question i'd overlooked the part of the guide which tells you where to look for each variable :rolleyes:
 
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