Hi Adam
Hope you have found/made a copy of Slackware 9.0
A couple of points for you to consider:
1. Slackware is probably one of the most stable and reliable distros you'll come across, and Patrick Volkerding is able to achieve this at a price. The price is that, unlike most other distros, it does not come with a bunch of pre-configured settings, numerous copies of the same types of app, nor the kitchen sink. Rather, it comes equipped with one browser, and basic apps ... but you can easily download and install the software you prefer. However, the design also means that you are responsible for how your system runs and will not get much in the way of hand-holding. The really cool thing is that when you use Slackware you will be learning Linux, unlike with RH or MDK, etc., where you are really then learning RH or MDK, etc.
2. If you are used to using .rpm's then familiarise yourself with using tarballs (e.g. *.tgz and/or *.tar.gz) ... while you can use *.rpm it is not the best way of installing software.
3. Get used to using your text editor (vi or emacs or joe or gedit or pico or ...) to configure your files - it really is straightforward. Also, while Slack is pretty secure out-of-the-box (e.g. doesn't use PAM because of security holes, etc.), you will still need to disable some services that are installed by default - especially if you go for the full newbie install. Such things as finger and telnet. Also, use an iptables firewall. Fluxbox will be in the extra directory.
4. You might have some difficulty with your CD-RW, printer and sound card. With these, there are specific fixes available and printing is straightforward with CUPS (again in the extra directory), and ALSA worked great with my AC'97 on-board sound card.
Basically, Slackware is a great system - I use it exclusively, and I really do feel that if I ever used RH or MDK that while I'd get a lot of nicely configured apps, I'd also get a load of bloat and it would feel like a really retrograde step.
Enjoy the system. It works great and if you set it up properly it'll be low maintenance. Do yourself a favour though: install the distro once - don't go online though - and explore it a bit; then re-install it because that way you'll be able to have a clearer sense of what you want/don't want.
Have fun
- Andy