Repository

The first requirement for installing GNOME-Shell is the addition of the gnome-unstable repository. This can be done by adding the following to your /etc/pacman.conf:

[gnome-unstable]
Server = http://mirrors.kernel.org/archlinux/$repo/os/$arch/


You’ll notice I’m using mirrors.kernel.org, but you should be able to use your own preferred mirror.

Installation
Once you’ve added the repository, you can add the GNOME-Shell using the following command:

sudo pacman -Sy gnome-shell clutter

Usage

To launch GNOME-Shell (and replace your current environment for this session), run:

gnome-shell --replace

You should now be in GNOME Shell. Have fun playing with this, still in development, Desktop Environment.

Arch Linux Fonts

To get a better all-around font experience, including the desktop and the web, I installed the following packages:

• ttf-droid
• ttf-liberation
• ttf-dejavu
• ttf-ms-fonts

To install all of these, simply run:

sudo pacman -S ttf-droid ttf-liberation ttf-dejavu ttf-ms-fonts

You may need to restart your browser, or even logout and log back in, but you should notice a change once these fonts are installed.

Installation

The version of Firefox available in the main repositories is distribution-restricted based on the Mozilla license. You may notice that the version you install is lacking the Firefox branding and name. Again, this is due to a clause in the license. The license say that while Firefox is Open Source software, the name and the branding are not. Unless you’ve made an agreement with Mozilla, it is outside of the license to distribute the browser along with the name and logo. It is fine, however, to get the source from Mozilla and retain the logo and other branding.

With that said, to install a branded Firefox browser use the command:

yaourt -S firefox-branded

Compilation

As is the case with many other packages in the AUR, this one will require compilation. I’ve found Firefox to take a bit of time to compile, but its not nearly as bad as some other packages. Your mileage may vary.

Conclusion

Firefox has long been the flagship of the free software world. I think this is changing with the release of so many other new (WebKit) browsers, but Firefox still retains the market lead. I have found that, while I have become a fan of Chrome, that Firefox is always dependable as a fall back browser.

Installing Google-Chrome-Beta

To install the Google Chrome Beta browser from AUR, use the following command from your favorite terminal:

yaourt -S google-chrome-beta

This will download and install the Google Chrome browser and create a menu entry.

Configuration

Configuring this browse, if you’ve never used Chrome before, is done by selecting “Options” from the configuration menu once the browser has launched. This is the icon furthest to the right, just beneath the address bar.

There isn’t a lot to configure, but there are enough options to let you personalize the browser. From cookie and password management, to themes and extensions, you should be able to find it all within that menu.

Troubleshooting & Comparison

I have been using this browser for months now and I haven’t had any issues, but if you do experience any you have a few options. You can, of course, fallback to another browser until an update is available. (This solution was more common previous to this browser becoming Beta quality.) You may also be interested in comparing the configuration differences in the Chrome Beta and Chromium browsers. Have a look at this link for those details.