For our November “Staff Pick” Project of the Month, we selected Manjaro Linux, a user-friendly Linux distribution based on the independently developed Arch operating system. Recently we caught up with developer Philip Müller as he shared some thoughts about the project’s history, purpose, and direction.

SourceForge (SF): Tell me about the Manjaro Linux project please. What made you start this?

Philip Müller (PM): Getting into IT and Hardware was always my goal. After Windows wasn’t my thing anymore, I dug deeper into alternatives like Linux. Having people around who are sharing the same goal and ideas made me start this project.

SF: Has the original vision been achieved?

PM: Yes, we wanted to make Archlinux simple for everyone (and) also offer some options to use Linux as you need it personally. We offer several desktop environments, a lot of binary packages plus the option to use simple scripts for installing additional software from source.

SF: Who can benefit the most from your project?

PM: People who like to have a Linux distribution installed and having full control on how to use it.

SF: What core need does Manjaro Linux fulfill?

PM: (The need for) a bleeding edge Linux distribution that is easy to use.

SF: What’s the best way to get the most out of using Manjaro Linux?

PM: Joining our forums, reading our wiki and being part of our great community. Additionally we had started to optimize our OS for some Laptop models.

SF: What has your project team done to help build and nurture your community?

PM: Keeping our personality. We started as users helping users to become better with using Linux. Now we share our experience with the developers we work with.

SF: Have you found that more frequent releases helps build up your community of users?

PM: We release when needed. We can release more often, but then it would be just a monthly release and therefore pushing and working on specific features will not get the needed attention to get it done best.

SF: What was the first big thing that happened for your project?

PM: Releasing our first official release 0.8.0 back in the days. We worked one year in the dark without the knowledge we even did that. Having it out was really a big thing for us.

SF: What helped make that happen?

PM: Having a smart team sharing the same goal. Having close and personal contact will push every project for sure.

SF: How has SourceForge and its tools helped your project reach that success?

PM: We use SourceForge for its great mirror service. It helped us to reduce hosting costs.

SF: What is the next big thing for Manjaro Linux?

PM: As already hinted: our new Laptop line with Manjaro Linux pre-installed.

SF: How long do you think that will take?

PM: We already worked on the project Spitfire for four months. The final result is around the corner and shipping will start in November.

SF: Exciting! It’s great we’ll be seeing it so soon.

PM: Yes, we managed to get it done even with a small team and good connections to vendors.

SF: If you had to do it over again, what would you do differently for Manjaro Linux?

PM: (Back then) I would have been happy to have today’s technology and knowledge to make (Manjaro Linux) even more awesome.

SF: Is there anything else we should know?

PM: Enjoy the simplicity of things and don’t worry so much. Operating systems have to support people in achieving their goals by using it on their own terms. We always try to offer these options.

[ Download Manjaro Linux ]