My last blog post explained how to use lftp to maintain a local mirror to keep Slackware -stable up-to-date. The next logical step is to write a script to do that.

I started a thread on LQ seeking feedback on the method and the script and the result was a wonderful discussion with a useful script at the end.

Be sure to check out H_TeXMeX_H's alternative script in the same thread. He took my original idea and did something pretty cool with it.

Here's the script:...

Starting from scratch, here's what I do:

Keeping the Stock Slackware Up-to-date

1. Install a fresh Slackware from the iso.
2. Use lftp with the mirror option to mirror the /slackware64-13.0/patches/packages/ directory from my favorite Slackware mirror:
   Code:

   lftp -c "open ftp://carroll.aset.psu.edu/pub/linux/distributions/slackware/slackware-13.0/patches/ ; mirror -e -n packages"

3. READ THE CHANGELOG! This is inportant even when using Slackpkg. There's important information

...

I finally figured out the best way to install a new version of Slackware -- completely wiping out the old version in the process -- while still retaining my users' IDs and passwords.

Naturally, this is no problem when following the upgrade process detailed in UPGRADE.TXT (go to telinit 1, remove the old packages, install the new packages, reboot, voilà), but upgrading from Slackware 12.2 to Slackware64_13 isn't supported. So, this is what I did.

A quick note: I always...

The "holiday shopping season" is nearly upon us, which means that the holiday shopping season advice columns are here too. I just read this one from PC Mag "What Not to Buy in 2009" and it really bugged me. The basic gist of the advice seemed to revolve around getting the most value for one's money, but it failed to really address just how much value can be had for how much money.

Take for instance, the advice to get an e-book reader. The columnist's advice was...

In my last entry, I quoted Alien Bob stating that Slackware assumes you're smart. Part of what that means to me is having a sense a how to tailor the system to one's own uses, and having the freedom to do so without the operating system insisting it be done its way. But what, really, does running an OS entail? Beyond installation, most of it comes down to certain configuration options, installing additional software, and maintaining the whole mess. Everything else involves actually using the software....