Arch Linux [1] is a cool, compact, and versatile Linux distribution with a loyal community and its own hyper-geeky minimalist aesthetic. The Arch community is home to software developers, Linux power users, IT specialists, and college students – all of whom appreciate the spirit of simplicity embodied in Arch. At a time when so many Linux distros are trying to fill a predefined niche in some theoretical IT marketplace, Arch simply is what it is. Arch makes no effort to be the ascendant corporate desktop; it doesn't try to make itself easy for beginners, or so much like Windows that anyone can use it.

Arch doesn't attempt to attract the purists who insist on all-free software. However, this singular Linux has a singular vision: Start with the barest of essentials, and if you want more, add it yourself. Instead over stumbling over components you don't want, build your system into exactly what you do want, and along the way, you'll find you're learning more about Linux. An efficient rolling release system, and a native package manager that many believe is better and more versatile than apt-get, round out the total package, giving Arch a unique place in the open source universe.

Without a corporate backer, Arch will probably never be as popular as Ubuntu or Red Hat, but if you've been around Linux, you've probably heard of it, and we're guessing you might be curious. This month we take a look at the world of Arch Linux.

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