Is there anyone using Manjaro Architect?
Is there anyone using Manjaro Architect?
I just set it up on two machines and was amazed by how similar they felt to an Arch experience. It took me around 30 minutes to install without going through any manuals. The perk is getting nearly cutting-edge software, though it’s still a bit outdated after the Arch team resolved some issues. It wasn’t hard—just follow the first part of the official Arch installation guide and have a basic grasp of what you’re doing. Most defaults work well for almost everything.
manjaro is essentially an Arch Linux distribution with a minimal installer. It’s pretty exciting to notice they’ve kept the installer so simple, I’m planning to test it in a VM to check if they’ve improved upon what big names like Debian, Ubuntu, or Fedora offer. EDIT: it’s not great at all. Nine years of development still can’t fix keyboard layouts beyond US QWERTY properly. Adding extra packages is just a messy dump in the repository, and my screen is currently full of errors because some hostnames aren’t resolving. Also, since I didn’t add any extra software, I’m surprised by how many programs appear on my screen—installation finished, here are the issues: - had to change language and keyboard layout multiple times, still needed a login with the wrong layout - VirtualBox drivers don’t work - auto-login isn’t enabled - installed the latest kernel but there’s an update available - no extra software was added, just Xfce, which forced a terrible layout - despite not installing anything else, the damage is clear: gColor2, GIMP, Gparted, GtkHash, HexChat, HP Device Manager (what?!), Pidgin, Thunderbird, Timeshift, VLC, plus many system tools like htop and xfce’s task manager all installed unnecessarily. Overall, it’s a much less smooth experience compared to sticking with Debian or Ubuntu, even though they’re working hard to refine things. It’s making things more complicated. I haven’t had any problems with VirtualBox drivers since around 2015, but Manjaro still surprises me.
It was straightforward if you’ve attempted Arch installation—it's fairly simple though time-consuming. It provides a basic GUI installer that essentially transforms Arch into the Debian Net Installer. Very difficult to make mistakes. It took roughly the same amount of time to set up an entire desktop as it would have taken me to install Arch using tab autocorrect while on my phone. It handles everything for you and lets you choose a minimal desktop setup, including all necessary utilities and drivers. In short, Arch combines with Debian Net Installer.
I've worked with various arch setups and Debian Net installations. This isn't about Debian Net installs—it's mainly because the Debian Net installer functions well. It's a poorly made imitation of the original installer from the 1980s.
It worked well enough; I managed to download it and quickly went through the instructions once I had a clear understanding of the process. I imagined it as a fun DIY adventure game similar to Jumanji, offering a straightforward and handy method to set up a system tailored to my needs.
I recommend checking out the installers for these distros, and let me know how Manjaro stacks up: - Fedora - Ubuntu - Debian - Ubuntu Server Fedora's installer seems to stand out the most, even surpassing Windows 10's default options in my view. Ubuntu embodies simplicity, Debian is minimal yet powerful, and Ubuntu Server impresses with its efficiency compared to these. Manjaro feels like a lot of features packed into one, but the interface is clunky and the design still carries remnants of outdated usability. It appears to be intended as a custom installer, yet I end up with multiple applications preloaded, which is unusual. This level of clutter surpasses even Ubuntu's usual bloat, wrapped in a confusing package that resembles 2008 keyboard layouts mixed with unnecessary software. Their goal was to offer a tailored experience, but the result feels like a failed attempt. I once tried Manjaro four years ago and was intrigued by the 'architect' version, only to be disappointed again. Overall, Manjaro is a challenging choice, with a confusing UI, unstable packages, and frequent update issues. Installing Xubuntu is quicker than wrestling with Manjaro's complex setup, mainly because of its simpler underlying structure. I favor Pacman over APT, but I still value a smooth morning experience on my machine—something only someone who’s used Manjaro multiple times can truly appreciate. They offer decent customization options, especially with Kubuntu, and you can pick your preferred look using apt-get. Also, consider Kubuntu if you want more tailored settings.
Manjaro Architect is not the official installer for Manjaro. It runs on Calamares, while Architect offers a lightweight, text-based setup for users who prefer simplicity.
I'm focusing on the overall journey. The name of the installer doesn't matter, as long as I'm talking about "the ___ installer." When I loaded the ISO for the chosen distribution, I was greeted by its interface. I expected a more tailored Manjaro setup based on the webpage's description, but it feels like the experience is quite incomplete.
I prefer a simple setup of a current update that keeps things straightforward for getting a functional system. I remember installing it with confidence—they mostly used the wiki, added a basic text installer, and adjusted settings for everyday use. It felt like a personalized journey where you end up with just what you need.