Artix Linux
The logo for Artix Linux, containing a blue arrow on the left and the word "Artix" in lowercase, also blue on the right.
Artix Linux 20210101 screenshot.png
DeveloperCore team,[1] Developer team,[2] Support staff[3]
Written inC
OS familyLinux (Unix-like)
Working stateCurrent
Source modelOpen-source
Latest release20230401 / April 3, 2023; 1 day ago (2023-04-03) [note 1]
Latest previewWeekly ISO's
Repositorygitea.artixlinux.org
Package managerpacman
PlatformsAMD64 and ARM64[4]
Kernel typeMonolithic (Linux)
UserlandGNU
Default
user interface		Unix shell, LXQt, LXDE, MATE, Cinnamon, Plasma, XFCE
Official websiteartixlinux.org

Artix Linux (or simply Artix /ɑːrtɪks/) is a rolling-release distribution based on Arch Linux that uses inits such as OpenRC, runit, s6, or Dinit,[5] as opposed to Arch Linux's init systemd.

Artix Linux has its own package repositories but, as a pacman-based distribution, can use packages from Arch Linux repositories or any other derivative distribution, even packages explicitly depending on systemd. The Arch User Repository (AUR) can also be used.

Arch OpenRC[6] began in 2012[7] and Manjaro OpenRC was subsequently developed alongside it. In 2017[8][9] these projects merged to create Artix Linux.

Screenshot of Artix community-gtk edition 2020-02 showcasing the default dark theme
Screenshot of Artix community-gtk edition 2020-02 showcasing the default dark theme
Screenshot of Artix community-gtk edition 2020-02 featuring a mix of GTK and Qt applications Kdenlive, the GIMP, LibreOffice Writer, Claws mail, Smb4K and a Neofetch dump
Screenshot of Artix community-gtk edition 2020-02 featuring a mix of GTK and Qt applications Kdenlive, the GIMP, LibreOffice Writer, Claws mail, Smb4K and a Neofetch dump

Release history

Artix initially offered two installation environments, a base command-line ISO image and the graphical Calamares installer based on LXQt desktop,[10] with an i3 version following later.[11] Those early versions featured the OpenRC[12] init system. The latest installation media are available in a variety of desktop environments like LXDE, XFCE, MATE, Cinnamon and KDE Plasma 5.[13] Additionally, two unofficial community editions featuring GTK and Qt desktops and a larger software base are offered, aiming at too-busy-to-customise or less experienced users.[14] All current installation media come in OpenRC, runit, s6, and dinit versions.

Reception

An early review published on DistroWatch on 27 November 2017 found a few bugs, but overall "Artix is working with a good idea [...] It's minimal, it is rolling and it offers a little-used init system. All of these I think make the project worthwhile."[15] More critical, another review at the time from linux-community.de concluded "the results so far are not exactly motivating."[16] Much more favourable reviews were later featured in both sites.[17][18] A review from Softpedia gave Artix a 5 out of 5 stars rating, noting its "beautiful and pleasant graphical environments."[19] Distrowatch readers' reviews on Distrowatch are mostly very favourable, with an average rating of 9.0.[20]

Notes

  1. ^ Artix Linux releases stable and weekly ISOs; stable images are tested to ensure Artix will boot and install the intended way and are released bi-annually. However, it is recommended to try the weekly ISOs first and only fallback to the stable ones in case of issues.

References

  1. ^ "These people started Artix". ArtixLinux.
  2. ^ "These people make Artix run". ArtixLinux.
  3. ^ "These people take care of the community". ArtixLinux.
  4. ^ "ARMtix".
  5. ^ "Dinit — service manager, init system".
  6. ^ "Archlinux, systemd-free". systemd-free.artixlinux.org. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
  7. ^ "OpenRC & eudev on Arch / AUR Issues, Discussion & PKGBUILD Requests / Arch Linux Forums". bbs.archlinux.org. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
  8. ^ "Return of the Jedi". systemd-free.artixlinux.org/news.php. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  9. ^ "Manjaro-openrc will be discontinued". Manjaro Linux Forum. July 28, 2017. Archived from the original on April 29, 2020. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
  10. ^ "Early Artix Linux ISOs". Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  11. ^ "Early Artix Linux ISOs / i3". Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  12. ^ "OpenRC".
  13. ^ "Artix Linux minimal ISOs". Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  14. ^ "Artix Linux community ISOs". Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  15. ^ "First Artix Linux review at Distrowatch". Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  16. ^ "New Arch Linux variant without systemd". Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  17. ^ "Artix Linux 20200125". Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  18. ^ "Small and compact: Artix - Arch Linux without Systemd". Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  19. ^ "A simple, fast, systemd-free operating system based on Arch Linux and OpenRC or Runit". July 2, 2019. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  20. ^ "Reader supplied reviews for Artix Linux". Retrieved April 8, 2020.

External links

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