&gt; <i>dearth of issues that crop up to maintain an Arch desktop distribution</i><p>A dearth of something is a lack of it (see <a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.oxforddictionaries.com&#x2F;definition&#x2F;english&#x2F;dearth" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.oxforddictionaries.com&#x2F;definition&#x2F;english&#x2F;dearth</a>). So a dearth of problems is a very good thing. I think you mean a plethora or an excess.