How To Install Enlightenment on Manjaro

Enlightenment is not just another desktop environment; it’s a declaration of independence from the conventional. This guide illuminates the path to install Enlightenment on Manjaro, a journey that promises a lightweight, aesthetically pleasing, and highly customizable experience. Whether you are a seasoned Linux enthusiast or a curious newcomer, Enlightenment offers a unique blend of performance and beauty that can transform your Manjaro system. Let’s dive in.

Why Choose Enlightenment for Manjaro?

Manjaro, known for its user-friendliness and flexibility, pairs exceptionally well with Enlightenment. Enlightenment stands out for its minimal resource consumption, making it ideal for older hardware or systems where performance is paramount. Its modern interface is not just about looks; it’s designed to enhance productivity and provide a seamless user experience.

• Lightweight: Enlightenment is designed to be lean and efficient, consuming fewer system resources compared to heavier desktop environments like GNOME or KDE.
• Customizable: The desktop environment is extremely flexible, allowing you to tweak almost every aspect of its appearance and behavior.
• Modern Interface: Enjoy a sleek, contemporary look and feel that keeps your desktop visually appealing and functional.

System Requirements

Before you begin, it’s crucial to ensure your system meets the necessary requirements for a smooth installation. Enlightenment is forgiving, but meeting these guidelines will prevent potential issues.

Minimum Hardware Specifications

• Processor: Intel Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon 64.
• Memory: 512 MB of RAM.
• Storage: 5 GB of free disk space.

Recommended Specifications

• Processor: Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3.
• Memory: 2 GB of RAM or more.
• Storage: 20 GB of free disk space.

Make sure you have enough storage for the base system and additional applications. Also, ensure compatibility with your Manjaro version to avoid conflicts.

Pre-Installation Steps

Preparation is key to a successful installation. These steps ensure your system is ready for Enlightenment.

System Update

Updating your system ensures you have the latest packages and dependencies, which is essential for avoiding compatibility issues.

sudo pacman -Syu

This command synchronizes your package databases and upgrades existing packages to their newest versions.

Backup Considerations

Backing up your data and system configurations is crucial. If something goes wrong, you can restore your system to its previous state.

sudo cp -r /home/yourusername/important_data /path/to/backup/location
sudo tar -czvf manjaro_backup.tar.gz /etc /home

Replace /home/yourusername/important_data with the path to your important files and /path/to/backup/location with your backup destination. This command creates a compressed archive of your /etc and /home directories.

Installation Methods

There are two primary methods to install Enlightenment on Manjaro: using the official repository and manual installation.

Official Repository Method

The easiest and most straightforward method is using Manjaro’s official repositories. This ensures you get stable versions and automatic updates.

Installing Base Packages

Use the following command to install the Enlightenment base packages:

sudo pacman -S enlightenment

This command downloads and installs Enlightenment and its core dependencies.

Installing Dependencies

Enlightenment requires certain dependencies to function correctly. While most are automatically installed, you may need to install additional packages based on your needs.

sudo pacman -S --needed networkmanager gtk2 gtk3

This command installs NetworkManager, GTK2, and GTK3, which are commonly used by Enlightenment and its applications.

Basic Configuration Steps

After installation, some basic configurations are needed to ensure Enlightenment starts correctly.

1. Enable LightDM: If you’re not already using LightDM, enable it using:

   sudo systemctl enable lightdm
   sudo systemctl start lightdm

2. Reboot: Reboot your system to load into the LightDM login screen.
3. Select Enlightenment: Choose Enlightenment from the desktop environment options at the login screen.

Manual Installation

Manual installation is more complex but allows you to install the latest versions directly from the source. This is suitable for advanced users who want the newest features or need specific customizations.

Installing EFL (Enlightenment Foundation Libraries)

EFL is the foundation upon which Enlightenment is built. You need to install EFL before installing Enlightenment.

sudo pacman -S git meson pkg-config
git clone https://git.enlightenment.org/libs/efl.git
cd efl
meson _build
ninja -C _build
sudo ninja -C _build install

These commands clone the EFL repository, build it using Meson, and install it on your system.

Building from Source

After installing EFL, you can build Enlightenment from source.

git clone https://git.enlightenment.org/apps/enlightenment.git
cd enlightenment
meson _build
ninja -C _build
sudo ninja -C _build install

These commands clone the Enlightenment repository, build it using Meson, and install it.

Handling Dependencies

Manual installation requires careful handling of dependencies. Make sure all necessary libraries and tools are installed.

sudo pacman -S $(pacman -Qmq | grep -v manjaro)

This command lists orphaned dependencies, which you can then install using pacman -S.

Post-Installation Configuration

Once Enlightenment is installed, configuring it properly will enhance your experience. These steps cover essential configurations.

Display Manager Setup

A display manager provides a graphical login screen. LightDM and Entrance are common choices for Enlightenment.

LightDM Configuration

To configure LightDM, ensure it is enabled and set to start automatically.

sudo systemctl enable lightdm
sudo systemctl start lightdm

You can customize LightDM’s appearance by editing its configuration file:

sudo nano /etc/lightdm/lightdm.conf

Entrance Setup Options

Entrance is another lightweight display manager that integrates well with Enlightenment.

1. Install Entrance:

   sudo pacman -S entrance

2. Enable Entrance:

   sudo systemctl enable entrance
   sudo systemctl start entrance

3. Configure Entrance: Edit /etc/entrance/entrance.conf to customize its settings.

Essential Components

Setting up essential components like a terminal emulator, basic applications, and system tray is crucial for a functional desktop.

Terminal Emulator Setup

A terminal emulator is essential for executing commands. Terminology is a popular choice for Enlightenment.

sudo pacman -S terminology

Basic Applications

Install basic applications like a file manager, text editor, and web browser.

sudo pacman -S thunar leafpad firefox

System Tray Configuration

The system tray provides quick access to essential system functions. Ensure it is properly configured.

1. Enable the System Tray: Right-click on the desktop, select “Gadgets,” and add the “System Tray” module.
2. Configure Settings: Adjust the tray settings to display the icons you need.

Customization Guide

Enlightenment’s strength lies in its customization options. Here’s how to make it your own.

Theme Configuration

Themes change the look and feel of your desktop. Enlightenment supports a wide range of themes.

Default Themes

Enlightenment comes with several default themes. You can switch between them in the settings panel.

1. Open Settings: Right-click on the desktop and select “Settings.”
2. Navigate to Appearance: Go to “Appearance” and then “Theme.”
3. Choose a Theme: Select a theme from the list and apply it.

Custom Theme Installation

You can install custom themes to personalize your desktop further.

1. Download a Theme: Find Enlightenment themes from websites like GNOME-Look.org.
2. Install the Theme: Copy the theme file to ~/.themes.
3. Apply the Theme: Select the new theme from the settings panel.

Desktop Layout

Customize your desktop layout by configuring panels, modules, and workspaces.

Panel Configuration

Panels provide quick access to applications and system functions.

1. Add a Panel: Right-click on the desktop, select “Gadgets,” and add a “Shelf” module.
2. Configure the Panel: Adjust its position, size, and contents in the settings panel.

Module Management

Modules add specific functionalities to your desktop, such as weather information or system monitoring.

1. Add a Module: Right-click on the desktop, select “Gadgets,” and choose a module to add.
2. Configure the Module: Adjust its settings to suit your needs.

Workspace Setup

Workspaces allow you to organize your applications and windows across multiple virtual desktops.

1. Configure Workspaces: Open the settings panel and go to “Virtual Desktops.”
2. Adjust Number: Set the number of workspaces you want to use.
3. Customize Layout: Configure the layout and transitions between workspaces.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with careful preparation, you may encounter issues. Here are some common problems and their solutions.

Display Problems

If you experience display issues, such as screen tearing or resolution problems, try adjusting your graphics driver settings.

1. Update Drivers: Ensure you have the latest drivers for your graphics card.
2. Configure Xorg: Edit the Xorg configuration file (/etc/X11/xorg.conf) to adjust display settings.

Missing Dependencies

If applications fail to start due to missing dependencies, install the required packages using pacman.

sudo pacman -S missing_dependency

System Tray Issues

If the system tray doesn’t display correctly, ensure the necessary packages are installed and the tray is properly configured.

1. Install Required Packages: Make sure you have libdbusmenu-gtk2 and libdbusmenu-gtk3 installed.
2. Restart Enlightenment: Restart the Enlightenment session to apply the changes.

Graphics Driver Conflicts

Conflicts between graphics drivers can cause instability. Ensure you are using the correct driver for your hardware.

1. Identify Your Graphics Card: Use lspci | grep VGA to identify your graphics card.
2. Install the Correct Driver: Install the appropriate driver using pacman.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Enlightenment. Thanks for using this tutorial for installing Enlightenment desktop environment on Manjaro system. For additional help or useful information, we recommend you check the official Enlightenment website.