Building arconet – discovering Calamares does not launch

If Calamares fails to launch,

please inform the ArcoLinux team,

and we will promptly rebuild a new version.

The speaker provides a detailed walkthrough on building custom ISOs (installation disk images) for the ArcoLinux project, focusing on recent updates related to the Boost library and Calamares, a popular installation framework for Linux distributions. The video discusses the steps needed to successfully rebuild Calamares when dependency changes occur, particularly involving Boost and Boost-libs, which are crucial components for Calamares to function.

The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding the building process, especially for users who want to create their own custom ISOs. They mention that no distribution is perfect for everyone, but users can tailor their own versions by removing unnecessary applications or adding preferred ones, thus making it truly “their own” ISO.

A key point made is that with updates to the Boost libraries, Calamares may no longer launch properly due to mismatches in dependencies. When this happens, users need to rebuild Calamares. The speaker demonstrates the process, from identifying the problem to fixing it by updating the necessary components and dependencies. They highlight how users should communicate with the ArcoLinux team if they face similar issues, as rebuilding Calamares is a critical step for continued ISO creation.

The video also covers technical aspects, such as using git to clone repositories and building the ISO using a script, showing how users can replicate the exact process on their own systems. Additionally, the speaker explains how to modify and configure the ISO to suit individual preferences, such as adding packages from various repositories or altering the default setup (e.g., choosing different desktop environments like XFCE, Plasma, or window managers).

Throughout the video, the speaker touches on advanced customization options, such as tweaking package lists, using external repos like Chaotic AUR for additional software, and modifying the Calamares configuration files to reflect these changes. They provide tips on using tools like Geany for text editing and Btop to monitor system performance during ISO building.

Ultimately, the speaker emphasizes the flexibility of the ArcoLinux system, which allows users to create ISOs that fit their needs. The video concludes with a successful demonstration of rebuilding the ISO, ensuring Calamares now works with the updated Boost libraries. The speaker encourages users to explore the various tools and resources provided by ArcoLinux for building and customizing their own ISOs, and plans to create related articles to document the process further.