Hi everyone! I'm looking to switch from systemd to a different init system and I'm running into various issues with different Linux distributions. Here's the list of the ones I've tried:
1. Artix (using dinit and OpenRC) - I'm facing issues with lib32 and Wayland.
2. AntiX - It seems okay, but unfortunately, it doesn't work for me.
3. Alpine - Pipewire isn't functioning, and Sway won't start.
4. Void - I can't get Xorg and LightDM to start.
5. Gentoo - Just... no, thanks.
6. Devuan - I'm having Wayland problems, and OpenRC commands aren't working.
Currently, I'm using Arch, but my specs are quite modest:
- Intel Celeron N3060 @ 1.60 GHz
- Intel HD Graphics 400 with 1.5 GB
- 128 GB SSD and 512 GB HDD
- 8 GB DDR3 RAM
It's really important for me to have Wayland and Sway working properly. If you have any questions about the problems I'm facing or recommendations, I'd love to hear them. I'm thinking of trying Artix with OpenRC one more time. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide!
3 Answers
It's totally reasonable to want to explore options beyond systemd! A lot of users feel that it’s become unnecessarily complex. Have you considered trying MX Linux? It offers a choice at boot between SysVinit and systemd, and it's known for its stability. Just keep in mind that MX 25 is currently in beta, and there’s been some talk about maintaining that init choice at boot, especially after some upstream changes. The community is quite friendly too!
Why are you set on Wayland, though? If you’re experiencing issues there, maybe it’s worth checking out other desktop environments that might be less demanding. Distrowatch has a good list of distributions that don’t use systemd, such as MX and PCLinuxOS. If you feel adventurous, Slackware might also be an option!
I feel you on wanting to move away from systemd. It can be really cumbersome and it’s understandable to prefer something lighter. Some users opt for Artix and find it to be better suited for what they’re looking for. If you want simplicity without all the extra baggage, that's definitely worth a shot!
Thanks for the suggestions! I really appreciate the input on Artix and MX Linux. Simplifying my system is my main goal.