CachyOS
CachyOS (https://cachyos.org/) is a Arch Linux-derived distribution focused on maximizing the performance from the hardware running it. While aimed at gaming, that being a primary use-case for maxing-out PC hardware, its ability to quickly switch between kernels makes it idea for any hardware enthusiast. Needing to, at some point, cross off “I use Arch, btw” from my bucket list, this seemed like a great opportunity to give it a try.
Features
Not an exhaustive list, just things I’ve noticed
- uses fish shell, which is nice but new to me.
- fish uses functions instead of aliases; a bit more cumbersome, but also more versatile
- similar to zsh, fish has plugins that can be added for functionality
- fisher is a plugin manager for fish
- pacman is the package manager and there is a nice rosetta stone for equivalent commands
paruis the default package manager for installing from AURs (Arch User Repositories; essentially, unofficial packages)yaycan be installed and used to pull packages from the Arch User Repository (basically ppas for debian distributions, but in one place)
- LOTS of desktop managers to choose from. Normally, a distribution’s desktop environment options are Gnome, KDE, and maybe XFCE, however, CachyOS sports 10 or more options. Only one should be installed at a time, though.
Software
I’m currently running CachyOS with KDE Plasma on the desktop system and Cosmic on my laptop.
Application Installs
Some software I’m finding useful in these environments:
- media player: Strawberry
- text editor: Kate, the default in KDE is surprisingly powerful, incorporating lots of features from IDEs like VSCodium
- Mastodon client: Fedistar has a lot of features.
paru -S fedistar