[GTALUG] Anyone here using Manjaro or OpenSUSE?

[David Ing isss@daviding.com]

When I was running into a few VPN configuration issues with Kubuntu 17.10
(on a multi-boot Thinkpad that already had Ubuntu and Deepin Linux), I
reformatted the partition and installed Manjaro KDE as a fourth distro
targeting the same /home.

The AUR, as compared to PPAs in Ubuntu (or using Gdebi to install deb
files) has been a good reason for me to switch to Manjaro KDE from
Kubuntu.  Firstly, when Ubuntu version upgrades happen (particularly in
non-LTS updates), the PPAs have to be updated and reinstalled.  Since these
are volunteer efforts, I've found some of the more obscure Linux packages
that I use not fully "supported" -- in the sense that installation isn't so
straightforward.

In particular, one benefit of moving to Manjaro has been that Java 6 is
still in the AUR!  I have an old bookkeeping package where I need an older
version (to migrate off!) and Java 6 has been practically impossible for me
to install on any Debian-based distro. (I'm okay, but not a master as an
Ubuntu system administrator for myself).

The Manjaro community has been responsive.  As compared to the Ubuntu
world, where there are a lot of forums, and then bug reporting, the Manjaro
community only has a forum.  There's no way to report a bug in Manjaro, per
se -- and that's not a negative, it turns out to be a positive.  Since
Manjaro is a rolling release, the fixes really have to be in the packages
themselves (e.g. I'm having some KDE issues with Libreoffice updating from
KDE4 to KDE5, but at least the Manjaro team has been helpful with
workarounds).

One annoyance -- that you may not encounter -- is that Manjaro-Arch Grub is
not the same as Ubuntu-Debian Grub.  Thus, after I do an Ubuntu or Kubuntu
update, I need to repeat a fix, that I've documented at
https://ingbrief.wordpress.com/2018/04/09/restoring-manjaro-grub-after-ubuntu-upgrade/
.

For me, I see long term benefits for being on Manjaro KDE as my main
distro.  I had tried Manjaro Deepin (which is beautiful) in supporting a
friend, but the difference in Grub versions creates too much support work.
I've put her on Deepin Linux (and update myself rarely, before I go to
visit her for a tuneup).

For a bootable USB distro, I'm not sure that there's much benefit for using
Manjaro KDE.  For a portable USB emergency kit, I would probably use Ubuntu
(although I detest Gnome 3 over Unity), or maybe Xubuntu.  On all of the
computers that my wife uses, I've standardized on Xubuntu LTS, because she
doesn't want to fiddle with different desktops, and doesn't use much beyond
the browser and standard applications.  Given the VPN issues that I've had
with Ubuntu 17.10/18.04, I'm not planning on updating her Xubuntu 16.04
anytime soon.

On Sun, Sep 9, 2018 at 12:15 AM Evan Leibovitch via talk <talk at gtalug.org>
wrote:

> Hi all.
>
> I'm looking to install a new distro, after using Mint and Kubuntu for a
> long time.
> I'm trying to choose whether to try Manjaro or OpenSUSE.
>
> Sure, I can install both and can look around. But I'm wondering is there
> is anyone here who uses either of these distros who might be aware of
> issues not readily apparent. Intended desktop is KDE.
>
> Note: I want to be able to use Dupeguru, Spotify, Skype and Signal, apps
> that under *buntu require auxilliary PPA repositories. Some of these are
> dealbreakers if I can't use them.
>
> All answers are appreciated. The system is to be installed on an SSD, if
> that makes a difference.
>
> Thanks!
> --
> Evan Leibovitch, Toronto Canada
> @evanleibovitch or @el56
> ---
> Talk Mailing List
> talk at gtalug.org
> https://gtalug.org/mailman/listinfo/talk
>
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