"I Use Arch, BTW." – A Meme, A Mindset, A Matter of Choice
If you've spent any time around Linux users, you've probably heard it. A discussion about operating systems, a casual mention of software choices, and then—like clockwork—someone chimes in with "I use Arch, btw." It's a meme at this point, a phrase so infamous that it often overshadows the actual merits of Arch Linux itself. But why does this phrase exist, and more importantly, is using Arch really worth the trouble?
Arch: The Minimalist's Dream (or Nightmare)
Arch Linux is known for its rolling-release model, meaning you get the latest software as soon as it’s available. Unlike distributions with fixed release cycles, Arch updates continuously, which can be both a blessing and a curse. It’s also extremely minimal—when you install Arch, you’re not getting a pre-configured system. You start with a command line, and it’s up to you to install and configure everything from the ground up.
This is what makes Arch appealing to some users. It offers absolute control over what goes into your system, but that comes at a cost: it requires a lot of manual setup and maintenance. The Arch Wiki is one of the best Linux resources out there, but to use Arch effectively, you’ll be spending a lot of time reading it.
Why I Don’t Use Arch (btw)
For me, Linux is about stability first, which is why my distro of choice is Debian. It’s rock solid, it doesn’t break with every update, and it just works. My first real computer was a Raspberry Pi 3, which came with Raspbian (Debian-based), so I became fluent in the command line pretty quickly. Debian gives me a system I can rely on, and for most of what I do—development, networking, running servers—I don’t need bleeding-edge packages.
That said, I’ve used many Arch-based distros like Manjaro and EndeavourOS. They’re nice because they offer most of Arch’s advantages without the hassle of setting everything up manually. But when it comes to using pure Arch Linux? Unless you have a very specific reason (and let’s be honest, there aren’t many of those), it’s usually just extra work for minimal benefit.
So… Should You Use Arch?
If you enjoy tinkering with your system, learning Linux inside and out, and don’t mind occasional breakages, go for it. But if you want an OS that lets you focus on getting things done rather than maintaining the system itself, there are better options.
That said, if you do install Arch, you are contractually obligated to tell everyone about it. That’s just how it works.