I'm planning to use Arch Linux for college, but my parents are worried it might complicate things. They think it might interfere with necessary apps like Zoom, and I'm having trouble convincing them otherwise. I want to show them that using Arch will be okay, but I'm not sure which other applications I might need to discuss with them. Any advice on how to approach this conversation?
5 Answers
Maybe try using Arch on an older computer you have lying around. If they see you handle it well, they'll feel more at ease. If it's not feasible, consider getting your own laptop to do whatever you want with—your rules!
As a former sysadmin at a university, I've seen all types of students use Arch without issues, especially in CS. Just be honest with yourself—do you know what you're doing? If you do, go for it! Worst case, if things go sideways, universities usually provide access to necessary tools on campus.
Honestly, I’d suggest avoiding Arch if you can. It's a bit of a hassle compared to Debian-based systems. If you really want to stick with Arch, consider using EndeavourOS instead; it’s a friendlier version of Arch.
Haha, my parents did the same when I was focused on coding assembler on a retro machine instead of hanging out outside! It's a classic scenario with parents wanting you to prioritize more traditional paths. You're not alone in this!
I get where your parents are coming from. They’re investing in your education, so they might not want you stuck fixing issues with Arch instead of studying. Debian Stable could be a smoother option they would approve of, just throwing that out there!
But pure Arch can be just fine, especially if you're comfortable tweaking it!