This is a semi-random collection of posts on nearly all things Slackware and Linux-related -- at least as I see it.
"Slackware Linux assumes you're smart."
Posted 11-05-2009 at 03:56 PM by Lufbery
I use Slackware Linux at home, where I play systems administrator for my wife and me -- and eventually our child(ren, after the next one is born in December). I'm going to quote an interview with Alien Bob to explain why I use Slackware:
Eric put it much better than I have in the past. Saying that "Slackware stays out of my way," or "There's no dependency hell" really doesn't say much. Rather, it is a relief that all the systems maintenance and administration tasks are transparent. I check the changelog and download updates when I need to do so. I seldom update versions of programs (like Open Office) unless there is a security fix or I really want to update.
This approach gives Slackware users a lot of freedom and the responsibility to go with it. In contrast, OpenSUSE and Ubuntu (the two other Linux distributions I've tried) both have tools that automate updating the system and other software, but sacrifice freedom for ease of use. For example, it seemed that every time I started up my laptop with OpenSUSE, it pointed out updates (including kernel updates!) that were available. What it didn't readily show was why I would want to apply those updates.
So, now I have the freedom and the responsibility to update my system on my own schedule, and you know what? I don't always update it. Sometimes good enough is good enough. I'll get into my reasons in another blog post, but for right now I'll end with the observation that I would rather have configuration and maintenance be transparent but require some learning, than easy but opaque.
Quote:
To me, Slackware’s philosophy has a different angle that sets it apart from all the others. To this day, Slackware has an extremely lean design, intended to make you experience Linux the way the software authors intended. This is accomplished by applying patches as little as possible - preferably for stability or compatibility reasons only. Slackware’s package manager (yes, it has one, pkgtools!) stays out of your way by not forcing dependency resolution. And the clean, well-documented system scripts (written in bash instead of ruby) allow for a large degree of control over how your system functions. Slackware does not try to assume or anticipate. The installer is still console-based, but it uses dialogs, menus and buttons nevertheless. Not depending on X during installation, Slackware’s installer is rock-solid, a statement which I can not repeat for the other distros I use. When you login for the first time after a fresh install you will end in the console instead of X. No assumptions are being made about what your intended use for Slackware is. This comes as a shock to many unsuspecting users, but it is the start of a learning experience.
I am well aware that the above statements are often perceived as negative, but in fact they make Slackware into a versatile tool that is adaptable to many needs. And yet, like any modern-day Linux distro, it fully recognizes and utilizes your hardware by virtue of the same kernel, Hal, D-Bus, X.Org and a truckload of other applications that the big distros ship as well. Slackware does not live in the stone age of computing. It is strong and thrives. It is lean and speedy.
The testimonials of ‘converted’ Slackware users at LinuxQuestions.org and other forums show that Slackware’s philosophy of giving full trust to the system admin is an eye-opener to people who struggled with the other distros before. This continuous influx of ‘converts’ is one of the reasons that Slackware has not disappeared into oblivion. Slackware assumes you are smart! This appeals to people.
I am well aware that the above statements are often perceived as negative, but in fact they make Slackware into a versatile tool that is adaptable to many needs. And yet, like any modern-day Linux distro, it fully recognizes and utilizes your hardware by virtue of the same kernel, Hal, D-Bus, X.Org and a truckload of other applications that the big distros ship as well. Slackware does not live in the stone age of computing. It is strong and thrives. It is lean and speedy.
The testimonials of ‘converted’ Slackware users at LinuxQuestions.org and other forums show that Slackware’s philosophy of giving full trust to the system admin is an eye-opener to people who struggled with the other distros before. This continuous influx of ‘converts’ is one of the reasons that Slackware has not disappeared into oblivion. Slackware assumes you are smart! This appeals to people.
This approach gives Slackware users a lot of freedom and the responsibility to go with it. In contrast, OpenSUSE and Ubuntu (the two other Linux distributions I've tried) both have tools that automate updating the system and other software, but sacrifice freedom for ease of use. For example, it seemed that every time I started up my laptop with OpenSUSE, it pointed out updates (including kernel updates!) that were available. What it didn't readily show was why I would want to apply those updates.
So, now I have the freedom and the responsibility to update my system on my own schedule, and you know what? I don't always update it. Sometimes good enough is good enough. I'll get into my reasons in another blog post, but for right now I'll end with the observation that I would rather have configuration and maintenance be transparent but require some learning, than easy but opaque.
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