I’m looking for the opinions and experience of unbiased Linux enthusiasts whose daily driver uses an arch based distro.

When I was using and learning EndeavourOS I frequently (enough) came across posts and videos that stated that although the AUR is useful, but it’s use should be limited to keep your system stable. If someone was having issues or a discussion about stability came up, there was always a seemingly condescending tone of “well my system has always worked fine, just don’t install too many AURs and it won’t break”.

However, whenever I see posts that relate to package managers, I always see praises for the AUR that seem to imply that there aren’t really any issues.

  • s_s@lemmy.one
    1·
    1 year ago

    Depends on what packages you install.

    There are lots of AUR packages marked -git which would be the very definition of unstable.

    On the other hand, the kernel modules for my wifi dongle’s drivers are only in the AUR and have been rock solid for 5 years.

    It’s really a “if you need to ask, don’t use AUR” type thing. In debian-based systems, it’s the same thing with PPAs. The software is there if you need it, just understand that nobody is validating it.

    What’s great about the AUR is that the Arch build system is a fantastic bit of tooling and is incredibly easy to use.