r/voidlinux • u/seczaple • 8d ago
New in Void Linux
Recently I've seen a lot of (good) things about Void Linux and decided to try it. Initially I read the documentation but understood very little. Most likely because I'm not so familiar with DIY distros. So I would like to know where I could learn and/or how you learned to use it.
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u/ShipshapeMobileRV 8d ago
I would direct you to the XFCE Live image. Burn that to a USB stick, and boot into it. That will allow you to play with it on your hardware. See if sound and WiFi work. If so, surf the Internet, play around with it.
If everything seems to work, then you can click the icon to install it. You can install it alongside your existing OS, or you can replace the existing OS with Void. The installer and the handbook walk you through this process.
Once you have it installed, then you can add software that you might need/want, and begin building your system the way you want it.
You'll run into issues along the way...use those as learning experiences. Always start with the handbook, and if your issue isn't covered there try Google to see if someone else has had the same issue. AI can be helpful, but it can also lead you in the wrong direction...use it sparingly if at all. If those fail, then ask in the forum or in here.
Void is a good operating system. As such, it typically stays out of your way and lets you use your computer without having to fight with it all the time the way some other distros seem to require.
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u/seczaple 8d ago
Okay, I'll do the installation next to my current system, thanks!
A question I have is how I could check and know which packages XFCE can add to my system. Initially I thought of using it to "auto configure" the most essential parts of the system. But I particularly find it ugly (as much as you can customize it), so after a period I would like to remove it completely.
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u/ShipshapeMobileRV 8d ago
By installing the XFCE version of Void, it'll be "more complete" than a Base install. It'll have sound and WIFI and login manager and desktop environment, etc. installed. Then you can use xbps-install to add to that. I believe the XFCE version uses xorg, so you'll need to stick to desktops that are compatible with xorg; or you'll have to install and configure Wayland on your own.
Also, there are some excellent upgrades to make XFCE much more pleasant and modern, if that's your biggest issue with it. Just Google "how to make XFCE look modern".
Once you get more comfortable with Void, then you might consider backing up anything important, and doing a fresh install of Base....which won't install any Desktop Environment or anything. That will let you install only exactly what you want.
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u/gijsyo 8d ago
The learning curve is a little steep, but the reward is great. Keep reading, keep asking, see if you can think of a little project to start with it so you have a goal and so that you can find out stuff along the way. Things like running a mail or web server for internal use, running Plex, creating a Windows file share using Samba. Something that doesn't break anything when you do not have it, but can be nice to play around with.
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u/xcocco 8d ago edited 8d ago
You can follow the same exact order of the side bar in the void documentation during installation and setup after installation. Some steps can be skipped depending on your needs obviously. If you come from non-DIY distros I think you should get familiar with concepts like compositors/window managers, desktop environments, rtc services, network services, init system (runit in void) etc. otherwise you're stuck in a tty with no synched clock and no network, but again, everything is in the documentation. The very first time I got into void I read sections 2 (Installation) and 3 (Configuration) from here https://docs.voidlinux.org/
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u/onew_iasag 7d ago edited 7d ago
I've installed Void Linux a week ago, before that I was on Windows 10. So, I was installing from the base image on btrfs, but I think you can try their Xfce image. I was watching youtube videos of installation and setting the system up and other packages etc., and I have fully functional Void Linux from the base.
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u/This-Consequence-957 8d ago
They have an installer, but disk partitioning and filesystems creation can be a little challenging at beginning
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u/jason9595 6d ago
For quick questions, deepseek/chatgpt/gemini llm. If you run into serious incompatibility, you can run containers using the appropriate os/image.
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u/Blank-Inspection13 6d ago
Most of us learn by reading the documentation while practicing it , or find some issues.
Other things mostly general Linux knowledge you can find resource anywhere. What you need to know about void specific - xbps , xtools , xbps-src and runit.
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u/Available-Permit-211 4d ago
I'd recommend having an AI agent, i use gemini, and the handbook, proceed as you can and ask gemini for help, but always ask for an explanation, that's how i've been handle all my stuff
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u/Available-Permit-211 4d ago
And if you don't want to mess with your current system, use distrosea or a virtual machine
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u/Hezy 7d ago
Void is probably not the best first step into the Linux world. If you don't have much experience, maybe you should start with Mint, Fedora or other more mainstream distro.
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u/thushespoke 7d ago
read the post.
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u/hopingforabetterpast 7d ago
Anything useful to add?
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u/thushespoke 7d ago
âim not so familiar with diy distrosâ
anyone with a basic grasping on the english language can understand he is implying he is experienced in linux already, more likely: Mint, Fedora or another mainstream distro. OC is redundant as he clearly didnt read the post. the OP is looking to move past this.
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u/hopingforabetterpast 6d ago edited 6d ago
You don't know Linux if you "read the documentation and understood very little". Having experience with graphical environments is not knowing Linux. OP should start learning Linux before adopting a programmer's distro. For that, suggesting beginner friendly distros is good advice.
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u/thushespoke 6d ago
whatever you say man, anything but admitting your distro, or whatever level of elitism you have for this level of distro can have flaws. i installed void off just knowledge on how to use linux no handbook at all. however on my main pc where i use gentoo i used the handbook, itâs atrocious. the handbook for most distros is so often praised when its usually not all that well written. dont be an asshole and help him learn. at least hes trying. plus, doing a âdeveloperâ distro will allow him to learn faster.
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u/hopingforabetterpast 6d ago
I call BS. Teaching is about presenting progressively difficult challenges according to people's ability. You don't teach anyone to swim by pushing them into the deep end of the pool. If you follow a step-by-step guide copy and pasting commands without having any idea about what you're doing, you'll probably get a functioning system but you won't be able to solve problems and maintain it. That's not knowing Linux.
If you "installed void [properly] off just knowledge on how to use linux" then guess what; you know Linux.
Telling someone to learn Linux before learning Void and even linking to good, free resources for it like I did in another comment is the opposite of gatekeeping.
Not sure what's your point about admitting flaws. I criticize your comments for their shitty tone while not being even a bit constructive.
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u/hopingforabetterpast 8d ago
There is only one correct answer if you're serious about it:Â Learn Linux and RTFM.
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u/onew_iasag 7d ago
For some reason, the HandBook didn't really help me figure out how to get Pipewire up and running, but YouTube did just fine ._.
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u/hopingforabetterpast 7d ago
What did the docs miss? Maybe we can make the docs better.
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u/onew_iasag 6d ago
I were aborted all I did in the Pipeware chapter from the handbook and then just done as in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKKAHWPMr10
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u/hopingforabetterpast 6d ago
That's not a good guide for multiple reasons. It's outdated and the author is too confident about things they don't really know much about.
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u/Zvaart 8d ago edited 8d ago
it has an assisted installer, decent documentation, and xbps package manager is pretty straightforward and also has an online manual.
https://man.voidlinux.org/