Linux for the "hip" elderly

[4toes]

Hi MindoverMaster,

Arch makes it easier for me to customize their machines
and I'm running Arch also so I can walk them through minor
issues if they call.
No I'm not a fan of tiling window managers like DWM,
JWM = Joe's Window Manager (easily configurable via a single xml file).

 

[MindoverMaster]

Oh, ok. I have it on my vmware now. I installed the basic system, how do you get to a GUI?

Edit: say, gnome?

 

[4toes]

yes install gnome via pacman
https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/GNOME

if don't use a display manager like gdm etc...
you need to create a .xinitrc file in you home directory
w/ exec gnome-session etc...

The Arch Wiki is awesome, it answers any question
you may have (much better than I could HeHe)

keep in mind, you will need to install a video driver
and maybe a mouse and keyboard driver when installing
directly to a machine (in a vm you don't have to)

In addition, I assume you have downloaded and installed
xorg via pacman, you X server.

 

[MindoverMaster]

I just installed the standard stuff. I go lost in that wiki...

How do you get to the CD, to install gnome?

 

[4toes]

I just installed the standard stuff. I go lost in that wiki...

How do you get to the CD, to install gnome?

Arch is a core install via CD, xorg, gnome, etc... have to be installed via
pacman (the Arch package manager).

pacman connects to an Arch repository via /etc/pacman.conf and the mirrorlist
(no need to worry about that, it will just work)

pacman tips:
To search:
$ pacman -Ss <app your searching for>, for example
$ pacman -Ss alsa

To install:
# pacman -S alsa-utils

To update (Arch is a rolling release)
# pacman -Syu

For more info:
$ man pacman

 

[MindoverMaster]

gnome package not found, searching for grop...
error='gnome' : not found in sync db

I tried that in root and /etc

 

[4toes]

with this search:
$ pacman -Ss gnome
you should get a few hundred packages as I do,
you may need to sync with repository
# pacman -Syy

 

[MindoverMaster]

Thats what I get. Something you're not telling me.

 

[4toes]

not sure what issue your having?
does # pacman -Syu work?
do other searches work?
are you connecting to a repository?

maybe this link will help:
https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?pid=698293

be sure you're using a valid mirror, here is a list:
http://www.archlinux.org/mirrors/status/


additional note:
The current kernel version for Arch is 2.6.38,
I see you are using 2.6.33, so you need to run
# pacman -Syu, and then reboot
to use the current kernel.