Daily driver guide: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 16:32, 5 November 2024

Many people think that Alpine Linux is only made for containers and servers, but it is actually a general purpose distribution designed for power users. Since Alpine Linux is extremely small, simple and resource-efficient, it is easy to customize and use as a daily driver.

Note: This guide assumes you have already installed a minimal Alpine Linux system with working internet by following the Installation guide.

Basics

Create a non-privileged user account for security reasons.
Learn the alpine package keeper basics or refer apk wiki for more details.
Ensure that community repository is enabled
Install graphics driver for your video hardware.
Install a desktop using Setup-desktop or manually install a desktop of your choice.
Install some fonts.
Setup PipeWire to manage your audio, if setup-desktop did not install it for your already or you installed your desktop environment manually.
Configure your Bluetooth, if you have one. Also check pipewire bluetooth, if needed.
Configure your printer.
Enable documentation, so man pages are available.
To keep your system secure, regularly check and apply updates with the package manager.

Advanced

If you find busybox lacking in features or options, it is easy to get regular stuff working
Use Flatpak to add packages that are not in the repositories.
Install gcompat package to add a glibc compatability layer which lets you run glibc binaries as normal.
Secure your system by installing firewall software like awall or UFW.
Install a sandboxing application like AppArmor or Bubblewrap.
Learn basics of openrc, the alpine Linux init system or refer Open rc wiki
If you want the rolling release version of Alpine Linux, enable the Edge repository.
You may want to enable the testing repository, as it provides a lot more applications.

@@ Line 12: / Line 12: @@
 -->
-Many people think that Alpine is only made for containers and servers, but it is actually a general purpose distro which can definitely be used as a daily driver.
+Many people think that Alpine Linux is only made for containers and servers, but it is actually a general purpose distribution designed for power users. Since Alpine Linux is extremely small, simple and resource-efficient, it is easy to customize and use as a daily driver.
-Alpine is extremely small, simple and resource-efficient, making it easy to customize.
+{{Note|This guide assumes you have already installed a minimal Alpine Linux system with working internet by following the [[Installation|Installation guide]].}}
-{{Note|This guide assumes you have already installed a minimal Alpine system by following the [[Installation|Installation guide]]}}
 ==== Basics ====
@@ Line 23: / Line 21: @@
 * Ensure that <code>community</code> repository is [[Repositories#Managing_repositories|enabled]]
 * Install [[graphics driver]] for your video hardware.
 * Install a desktop using [[Setup-desktop]] or manually install a [[Desktop environments and Window managers|desktop]] of your choice.
 * [[fonts#Installation|Install]] some [[fonts]].
 * Setup [[PipeWire]] to manage your audio, if setup-desktop did not install it for your already or you installed your desktop environment manually.
 * Configure your [[Bluetooth]], if you have one. Also check [[PipeWire#Bluetooth_audio|pipewire bluetooth]], if needed.
 * Configure your [[Printer_Setup|printer]].
-* Enable [[Alpine_Linux:FAQ#Why don't I have man pages or where is the 'man' command?|docs]], so man pages are available.
+* Enable [[Alpine_Linux:FAQ#Why don't I have man pages or where is the 'man' command?|documentation]], so man pages are available.
 * To keep your system secure, regularly [[Alpine_Linux_package_management#Upgrade_a_Running_System|check and apply updates]] with the package manager.