[kwlug-disc] feedback request to shape the November topic

[unsolicited]

On 12-10-13 02:40 PM, L.D. Paniak wrote:
>
> On 10/13/2012 01:23 PM, Khalid Baheyeldin wrote:
>> On Sat, Oct 13, 2012 at 1:01 PM, R. Brent Clements <rbclemen at gmail.com
>> <mailto:rbclemen at gmail.com>> wrote:
>>
>>      In order to make the topic of Arch Linux more relevant to what people
>>      hope to get out of it, I welcome any input on what people would like
>>      to see focussed on.  I don't imagine a simple walkthru of the
>>      installation is really of that much interest.
>>
>>      Specifically, if people could answer this question:
>>
>>      Why are you (or would you be) interested in using a distro that
>>      requires so much more hands on work to install and configure?
>>
>>      I know that the first answer that will come to mind for most people is
>>      simply to try it, or in order to learn more about how their system
>>      works "under the hood".  And that is a perfectly valid response to my
>>      question.  However, I am more looking for specific applications or
>>      goals that I may be able to address in the discussion.
>>
>>      The presentation probably will include some amount of comparison to
>>      other "hands on" distros I am familiar with.
 >>
 >>
 >> I would be interested in:
 >>
 >> Differences between Debian or Ubuntu.
 >>
 >> Why would I want to consider ArchLinux vs. those?
 >>

Brent, given the way you have phrased your message, the first thing that 
went through my mind is how does ArchLinux fit into the distribution 
firmament vis a vis Debian/Ubuntu, as Khalid points out, but also vis a 
vis Gentoo.

>> Does it have long term support versions (e.g. 3 years desktop, 5 years
>> server)?
>>
>> Does it have a server edition (no GUI, no desktop)?

Do not all distros have a non-gui installer where it is optional to not 
install X / a desktop at all?

> I am curious how updates/upgrades work.  I am used to modular, packaged
> updates from specific repositories  that can often be installed on a
> running system.  How does Arch do this?