overview_of_the_process.md

Preparation

• Determine the MacBook model

  https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201300

  Depending on the model and the hardware present, certain things might not work properly or at all. For example on my 2013 MBA there are no available drivers for the webcam.

  Refer to this page for more info: https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/MacBook#Model-specific_information

• 2 usb sticks, one with OS X, one with Arch Linux

  • Arch Linux ISO download link: https://www.archlinux.org/download/

• Bootable USB guides:

  • Arch: https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/USB_flash_installation_media

  • OSX: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201372

• Thunderbolt to Ethernet adapter (for wired connection)

• iPhone or Android device connected to the internet for tethering

• Backup important data

• Clean install of OS X preferred

Installation

There are several useful links that will help with the setup process, the ones I used the most are:

https://github.com/pandeiro/arch-on-air

https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/MacBook

• Partition the ssd:

  • About 30 Gb for OS X, the rest for Arch Linux

• For Arch Linux the following partition scheme is acceptable:

  • / - 20 Gb
  • /boot - 256 Mb
  • swapfile (optional) - 1 Gb
  • /home - the rest

Configuration

• Configuring the internet connection

  This is possibly the most difficult/annoying part of the process. Refer to the following articles:

  • Wired connection: https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Network_configuration

  • Wireless connection: https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Wireless_network_configuration

• First, use tethering to establish a connection and install the necessary packages.

  • Guide for iPhone: https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/IPhone_Tethering

  • Guide for Android: https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Android_tethering

• Then setup wicd-client for automatic wireless connection

  • https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Wicd

• Setup the DE and WM if needed

  • This section largely depends on personal preference, since Arch has a very DIY kind of philosophy.

Post-configuration

There will be lots of things to configure and tweak, it's a long process and the specifics depend on user's preference.

Refer to the following guides for more info:

• https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Beginners%27_guide

• https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/General_recommendations