Building a free open source data science workstation on Linux (draft)

This is the setup I use. YMMV and I am keen to hear from you.

Linux distro: Archlabslinux

Why and how:

Archlabslinux has the best installation instructions. Lightweight, about 768 MB iso size; Arch based, and arch has excellent documentation, so if there ar issues (and you will have issues), there are at least ways to fix and troubleshoot and you are not left to chance. First step: download the distro iso from Archlabs repo. After the first step:

sudo dd if=<archlabslinux.iso> of=/dev/<x> bs=2048

Explanations: this code is writing a iso or bootable media to your device of choice. In my case it was my usb drive.

Say your iso is archlabslinux.iso and your usb drive is located at /dev/sdb

If you do not know how to find the drive location of your USB drive, do:

lsblk # if you are in Linux already OR
diskutil list #if you are on Mac

If you are on Windows, follow instructions in this page:

Create a Bootable USB Flash Drive

Insert the USB bootable media on your USB drive slot of the computer, then either reboot OR (first power down and then)…