The latest install images for Archlinux (2008.04-RC) were released today and I figured I would make a quick tour for it.
In this release grub launches instead of the CD dropping you to a boot: prompt. The grub menu gives you a multitude of choices and I have to say that this simple change will really make a good first impression for first time users.
The tools menu gives you some useful items such as memtest86+ and even lets you play a few rounds of Space Invaders should you be interested in doing so.
The grub settings menu allows you to change your keyboard layout and grub's color scheme.
The entries in the help menu is fairly scarce at the moment, but should prove to be useful to people in the near future.
Finally, the options menu gives you the ability to boot from existing installs.
After booting you are obviously dropped to the login screen.
The installation procedure is pretty much the same as it always has been. However, the installer now defaults to the usage of UUIDs instead of sdX/hdX entries.
Comments
Re: Archlinux 2008.04-RC Quick Tour
Sweet! How do I get one 'o them pretty Grub screens? Will there be an update for existing users?
Re: Archlinux 2008.04-RC Quick Tour
Hi there.
You can do it to your existing system fairly easily by installing the grub-gfx package from the community repo, replacing the graphic with the one off of the ISO, and pointing grub to its location.
Here is the wiki entry on the subject:
http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Grub-gfx
I can't stress this enough however...
If you fail to do so you can render your system unbootable and you will be forced to fix it via your arch install/rescue cd.
Re: Archlinux 2008.04-RC Quick Tour
that's damn true ;)