Arcoinstall – personal project

ArcoLinux is a highly customizable Arch-based Linux distribution, known for offering various desktop environments and window manager configurations like Chadwm. While the standard installation of ArcoLinux typically uses the Calamares installer, there’s an alternative for those who prefer automating installations through a command-line interface. Enter Arcoinstall, a fork of the popular archinstall framework designed to streamline the installation process.

This what-if explores the possibility of adapting Archinstall to automate the installation of ArcoLinux with the Chadwm configuration, leveraging an Arch Linux ISO.

What is Arcoinstall?

Arcoinstall, available on GitHub, is a fork of Archinstall. Archinstall is a guided installer for Arch Linux, offering modular and scriptable installation solutions. Arcoinstall builds on this foundation, tailored specifically for ArcoLinux and specifically for ArcoLinux Chadwm. It provides pre-configured scripts and modules that simplify the installation of ArcoLinux Chadwm only.

Why Use Arcoinstall?

Customizability: Automate installations with specific configurations, such as Chadwm, by adding custom scripts and package lists.
Reproducibility: Ensure a consistent setup across multiple systems.
Command-Line Enthusiasts: A CLI-first approach for users who prefer more control over their installation

Adapting Arcoinstall to your own personal needs?

Change the list of packages of any desktop or tiling window manager and create your own ISO/arcoinstall.

Archlinux-logout

Archlinux-logout is a lightweight and customizable logout application tailored for Arch Linux and its derivatives. It provides users with an efficient graphical interface to handle various session management actions.

Key Features:

1. Session Control Options:
   • Log out
   • Lock screen
   • Suspend
   • Hibernate
   • Reboot
   • Shutdown
2. Lightweight Design:
   • Minimal resource usage, aligning with Arch Linux’s philosophy of simplicity and efficiency.
3. Customization:
   • Configurable appearance and functionality to fit various desktop environments and user preferences.
4. Integration:
   • Works seamlessly with window managers and desktop environments commonly used in Arch Linux, such as XFCE, i3, Openbox, or DWM.
5. Ease of Use:
   • Simple installation and configuration, making it accessible for both novice and advanced users.

You can now assign different keys to each session control option. Thank you Korbajan.

PICOM

The Picom developers are actively improving the software and have introduced a new popup that appears if there are errors in the configuration file. We currently have 28 projects with a picom.conf file. Updating all of them will require significant effort.

To address this, we maintain a single picom.conf file as the master configuration. All other instances are updated by referencing this file. Using scripts, we create packages to distribute the updated file, allowing us to apply corrections across all projects in under 5 minutes.

ALCI

The ALCI (Arch Linux Calamares Installer) project provides a user-friendly installer for Arch Linux, leveraging the Calamares framework to simplify the installation process. Its primary goal is to make Arch Linux accessible to a broader audience, including those without advanced Linux expertise, while maintaining the flexibility and customization Arch Linux is known for.

Key Features:

1. Pre-Configured Installer:
   • Uses Calamares as the installation tool with tailored modules and configurations.
   • Includes options for disk partitioning, file system selection, and package installation.
2. Customizable ISO:
   • Users can build their own ALCI-based ISO tailored to specific needs.
   • Includes tools and scripts for easy ISO customization.
3. Lightweight and Modular:
   • Focuses on providing a minimal yet functional Arch Linux experience.
   • Modular design allows adding or removing features as needed.
4. Designed for All Skill Levels:
   • Simplifies the typically complex Arch Linux installation process.
   • Ideal for both beginners and advanced users seeking quick deployment.

Use Case:

The ALCI project is perfect for those who want the power and flexibility of Arch Linux with the ease of an intuitive graphical installer, saving time while allowing deep customization.

ARCOLINUX NEMESIS SCRIPTS

The ArcoLinux Nemesis scripts are versatile tools designed to empower users to customize and control their Linux operating system, regardless of the distribution. Originally developed for ArcoLinux, these scripts are now compatible with a wide range of Linux-based systems, enabling users to tweak, configure, and personalize their setups.

Purpose and Features:

1. Customization and Control:
   • Remove or install packages as needed.
   • Apply personal preferences and configurations to any Linux setup.
   • Use ArcoLinux configurations, applications, and settings on other systems.
2. Cross-Distribution Support:
   • Compatible with Arch-based distributions like Alci, Manjaro, EndeavourOS, and more.
   • Extended support for non-Arch-based systems, including Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian, and Linux Mint.
3. Chadwm Integration:
   • Build and deploy Chadwm, a tiling window manager fork, on any distribution.
4. Streamlined Workflow:
   • Automates customization tasks with scripts like 0-current-choices.sh to remove, install, and configure system preferences efficiently.

Supported Distributions:

• Arch-Based Distros: Includes Arch Linux, Alci, Manjaro, Artix, and many others.
• Non-Arch Distros: Includes Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian, Linux Mint, PopOS, and more.

Learning and Resources:

• Comprehensive guides and tutorials are available via the ArcoLinux YouTube Channel, covering a wide array of distributions.

Bottom Line:

These scripts provide flexibility to configure any Linux system to your preferences, ensuring a consistent and enjoyable user experience, regardless of the distribution.

NON ARCH LINUX

• Alma Linux
• Debian
• Fedora
• Linux Mint
• LMDE 6
• MX Linux
• Nobara
• Peppermint
• PopOS
• Solus
• Ubuntu
• Void

Calamares – Kpmcore issue solved

An issue with Kpmcore prevented Calamares from creating a swap partition. This problem has now been resolved.

One of the key updates in this release is our integration of the latest advancements from the Calamares project. Calamares is renowned for being a flexible, powerful, and universal installer framework that is widely adopted by various Linux distributions. With this update, Calamares brings even more robust performance improvements, along with a range of user-friendly enhancements designed to streamline the installation process.

By integrating the latest Calamares code, we ensure that the installation of ArcoLinux is smoother and more reliable than ever before. This improvement enhances the overall user experience, allowing both new and experienced users to install ArcoLinux with ease. The updated installer is now faster, more efficient, and capable of handling complex installation configurations without hiccups.

However, as with any software, there might still be cases where Calamares does not perform as expected, particularly in the installation of specific packages. If you encounter such an issue, we have created a helpful video that walks you through troubleshooting and resolving problems when Calamares doesn’t complete its job of installing packages correctly. This ensures that users can find quick solutions and continue with their installation process smoothly.

With these improvements, ArcoLinux remains committed to providing a seamless installation experience, ensuring that users can quickly set up their system and begin their Linux journey with confidence.

To emphasize once more: Should you run into complications during the advanced installation due to Pacman errors, it’s advisable to switch to the easy installation method.

It’s important to note that these issues stem from Pacman, not the Calamares installer.

The easy installation process is dependable and will ensure a successful setup.

After restarting your system, you’ll find three options for managing your software:

– Sofirem: Provides an easy-to-use interface for installing or uninstalling software, mirroring the capabilities found in the advanced mode of Calamares.
– Custom Scripts: For those seeking a tailored setup, you can adapt the arcolinux-nemesis scripts to customize your system further.
– Pamac or Octopi: These tools offer a straightforward way to search, install, or remove software with just a few clicks.