https://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/linux-newbie-8/helwan-linux-1-0-stable-a-linux-distribution-you-won%27t-find-anywhere-else-here%27s-why-4175752612/



A few days ago, I posted a thread on linuxquestions.org introducing Helwan Linux, a Linux distribution I’ve developed based on Arch Linux, specifically tailored for Arabic users and independent developers.

I wasn’t expecting applause, but I did expect some fair, technical, and constructive criticism.
Instead, the replies were filled with personal attacks, belittlement, and a dismissive tone that seemed more offended by the name and origin of the project than its content.

Some users reduced the entire project to lines like:
"What’s the difference? Just another Manjaro clone."
Or:
"Your tool doesn’t do anything KDE Network Manager can’t."

Even efforts to explain utilities like hel-netfix — built specifically to simplify common issues for beginners — were mocked, as though making Linux easier is something to be ashamed of.

When I politely responded and tried to clarify, the thread was closed — without warning, without explanation, without space for open dialogue.

I am not the first Arab or Muslim developer to experience this, but I refuse to be the next one to stay silent.

So I say this clearly:

    LinuxQuestions.org is no longer a community of inclusion, but one that rejects what it does not recognize.

We do not seek praise — only respect.
And if we cannot find that in “open source” communities that preach diversity, we will build our own. Just like we did here, at Helwan Linux Forum.

Code should be measured by what it does — not the name, language, or nationality of the developer.

### 🛠️ Lesson 9: Rescuing a Broken System with `chroot`

When your system won't boot, you can use a live ISO and `chroot` to fix it.

**Steps:**

```bash
mount /dev/sdXn /mnt             # Mount root partition
mount --bind /dev /mnt/dev
mount --bind /proc /mnt/proc
mount --bind /sys /mnt/sys
chroot /mnt                      # Now you're inside the broken system
```

From there, you can reinstall grub, update the system, or fix configs.

🚦 Arch Like a Boss – Lesson 7: Diagnose Boot Time with systemd-analyze


Find out how fast your system boots — and why it might be slow.
⏱️ Show boot time summary:

systemd-analyze

📊 List services that delay boot:

systemd-analyze blame

This shows services sorted by boot time.
📈 Visualize the full boot process:

systemd-analyze plot > boot.svg

Open the SVG file in your browser — a visual boot map!

⚙️ Arch Like a Boss – Lesson 5: Advanced pacman Tricks


You already know pacman -Syu, but here’s how to unlock more powerful options.
🧹 Remove Orphaned Packages (no longer needed):

sudo pacman -Rns $(pacman -Qdtq)

📦 List all explicitly installed packages:

pacman -Qe

🔍 Search inside installed packages:

pacman -Qs keyword

💥 Force reinstall a package:

sudo pacman -S package-name --overwrite \"*\"

🔄 Clear the package cache (free up space):

sudo pacman -Sc

Use -Scc to clear everything (be careful!).

⏰ Arch Like a Boss – Lesson 3: Mastering timedatectl


timedatectl lets you manage system date/time settings easily.
📆 Check current time settings:

timedatectl

⌚ Set local time:

sudo timedatectl set-time '2025-07-05 10:30:00'

🌍 Set your timezone:

timedatectl list-timezones
sudo timedatectl set-timezone Africa/Cairo

🛰️ Enable NTP sync (auto time):

sudo timedatectl set-ntp true

🧠 Arch Like a Boss – Lesson 1: journalctl Demystified


journalctl is your best friend when something goes wrong in your system.
It reads logs from systemd and shows you what’s been happening behind the scenes.
🔧 Basic Usage:

journalctl

This will dump the entire log history — probably too much.
🔍 Filter by Time:

journalctl --since today
journalctl --since "2025-07-01" --until "2025-07-05"

⚙️ View Only Boot Logs:

journalctl -b

To see previous boots:

journalctl --list-boots
journalctl -b -1     # one boot ago

💥 View Errors Only:

journalctl -p err
journalctl -p 3

📦 Logs from Specific Service:

journalctl -u NetworkManager
journalctl -u sshd.service

🧠 Pro Tip: Add -f to follow logs in real-time, like tail -f:

journalctl -f

### 📊 Poll: What Desktop Environment Do You Use?


We'd love to know what desktop environment (DE) you're using with Helwan Linux — or even outside it!

**Vote and comment below:**

* XFCE
* GNOME
* KDE Plasma
* i3 / Tiling WM
* Something else?

Why did you choose it? What do you love or hate about it?