🐧 Install Linux (beginner guide)

Short, practical, and designed for first‑time users.

🧭 1) Choose your install path

• 🟢 Easy (recommended): GUI installer with a desktop included.

  Name	Linux Based	Desktop Environment (default)
  Fedora KDE	Fedora	KDE Plasma
  Linux Mint	Debian/Ubuntu	Cinnamon
  Ubuntu	Debian	GNOME
  Pop!_OS	Ubuntu	GNOME
  Zorin OS	Ubuntu	GNOME
  CachyOS	Arch	KDE Plasma
  Manjaro	Arch	KDE Plasma

• 🟡 Intermediate: guided CLI or semi‑automated install.

  • Archinstall (Arch)
  • Debian text installer
  • Void installer
  • In this repo: script/arksys.sh and script/archinstall/archisntall-config.sh

• 🟠 Advanced: full manual install (no guided setup).

  • Arch manual install
  • Gentoo manual install
  • Void manual install

• 🔴 Hardcore: build your own distro.

  • Archiso profile + Calamares
  • Debian live-build
  • LFS (Linux From Scratch)

📥 2) Download the ISO

• Get the ISO from the official website of your chosen distro.
• Verify the checksum if the site provides it.

💾 3) Create a bootable USB

Use a GUI tool:

• Windows: Rufus
• Linux/macOS: BalenaEtcher
• Multi‑ISO: Ventoy

Or use the CLI (Linux/macOS).

Replace /dev/sdb with your actual USB device.

sudo fdisk -l                                          # Find the disk
umount /dev/sdb*                                       # Unmount the disk
sudo mkfs.vfat /dev/sdb                                # Format the disk
sudo dd if=~/Downloads/arch.iso of=/dev/sdb bs=4M status=progress  # Write ISO

🔧 4) Boot and install

1. Reboot and open the boot menu (often F12, Esc, or Del).
2. Select the USB drive.
3. Follow the installer prompts.
   • Choose language and keyboard.
   • Pick time zone and user account.
   • Use automatic partitioning if you are new.

✅ 5) First boot checklist

• Update your system.
• Install drivers if needed (GPU, Wi‑Fi).
• Install basic apps you use daily.

📌 After install

• Apps list: see linux-software.md
• Post‑install guide: https://github.com/arksys-os/arksys_post-install

🔗 References

• https://archlinux.org/download/
• https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Installation_guide
• https://fedoraproject.org/
• https://ubuntu.com/download
• https://linuxmint.com/download.php