Arch weirdness

I like Arch Linux and the pacman system, but have sometimes experienced
oddities.

For example, I sudo to root in order to update via "pacman -Syu". Much of the
time, this alters my Caps Lock setup so that it no longer functions as a
Ctrl key.  Or, clicking on Caps, a sound is emitted when the key is released,
even though I turned off the bell in /etc/inputrc. I have a little script,
"caps", to fix that stuff.

Recently, after an update, gvim now comes up in a tiny window. I have keys to
easily expand it in both directions, but wtf? Some desultory inspection and
"research" have led nowhere. Might try an ltrace.

But, more weirdness. With "ltrace gvim", gvim comes up in a normal window
as configured in .gvimrc. Doesn't come up normal with "strace gvim".

Sagan on the Trump voter:

--
Finding the occasional straw of truth awash in a great ocean of confusion and
bamboozle requires intelligence, vigilance, dedication and courage.  But if we
don't practice these tough habits of thought, we cannot hope to solve the truly
serious problems that face us -- and we risk becoming a nation of suckers, up
for grabs by the next charlatan who comes along.
-- Carl Sagan, "The Fine Art of Baloney Detection," Parade, February 1, 1987