Regarding the posted rc.6 script, I don't think it is an improvement to put commands in background while the system shuts down but YMMV of course

I have used Vector Linux for years now. I don't know if its a "fork" or not, but it is only through it that I learned of slackware. Dependent on gui programs, I look upon slackware with something akin to reverence. I suspect there are many who first learned of slackware through Vector Linux. Seems to me that they support each other. If not, as I have no intention of switching from VL, I suggest that the slackware folks propose something that I could do to help slackware. I really don't want to be a parasite. That "help" should probably not be by way of asking me to contribute to some slackware forum I don't know enough to be of much help.

Wow, this has turned into a fascinating thread, especially for psychologists and anthropologists

I think the term parasite is too strong. Are people who install and use slackware without subscribing, donating or contributing to it parasites too?

I think the legal position of the GPL is closely aligned with its ethical position. When you release GPL'd software you can say you are the original author of it, but you are releasing it - letting go of it - and giving it a life of its own. Woodsman's child analogy seems very apt. Of course, the original author can voice disapproval of future usage and changes, but using the term parasite seems to miss the point of free software.

I listened to the tllts interview with Pat the other day and he name checked Slax and I didn't detect any negativity towards it.

The OP edited his 11-feb-08 edit in the original post yesterday to remove some rather impolite comments.

BTW That "standing on the shoulders of giants" quote from Newton is now viewed as being meant as sarcastic- he had a pretty big ego!

The reasons I restrict my input to this fine group to one reply every couple of years or so should, from the forgoing, be rather obvious.

Yeah I think there is a lot of misunderstanding. Any way maybe this might help

I think the quote above fits about right. I disagree with that stance on things. I think that is why some people dislike the term "parasite". Yet I think it would be foolish to think, that because that extreme exists, that there are no "parasites". Inasmuch as there are "parasites" in this world there are folks like Microsoft. If taken far to extreme there is little or no difference between the two camps.

Edit: Just to be clear I agree with the Free Software foundations stance. I am a huge GNU fan.

Although I'm disagreeing with Robby here and also with Eric when he mentioned "parasite" on another thread a while ago, I do hugely appreciate and benefit from their contribution to slackware and slackbuilds.org. I might well feel differently if I'd put in the work that they have.

Hi lawquest,

I tried Vector once and found it to be very stable. If you ever want to try Slackware we will be happy to help you. Slackware can be a bit daunting for people more comfortable with a GUI than a shell prompt.
The support documentation for Slackware is excellent.

As an aside, you might note the fascinating rebuttals over at http://forum.vectorlinux.com/index.php?topic=7740.0 - assuming the childishness isn't edited away by now.

Did you at least get a laugh out of the picture posted?

Yep; nice pic of the guy's mirror. ;-)

I think you've upset them Robby. Interesting that our friend Caitlyn Martin is a member and seeing her comments about Puppy Linux reviews.

Oh well - distro wars again.. - Never a dull moment and all that..

Oh - and BTW this post is not supposed to be taken seriously..in case it's not obvious..

wow, that pic of rworkman is quite funny, although mean in a way.

Anyway, I'm sick of this thread.

My last word: 'parasite' is a term incompatible with the GPL

signing off...

After considering carefully, I decided that deleting this post was more constructive than keeping it. If you PM me, I'll send it to you in private.

I know that this topic is hella old --but dude...

The worst thing for any brand name is to have it taken away from the public eye. - Distros 'based' on Slackware is free advertising for a man who cannot afford to buy ads everywhere on teh nets and generally when someone uses a 'based on' distro they become curious as to how they real thing operates and usually stick with the original. So, that's a +++.

Another benefit to Slackware is that these based on distros continue to show that Slackware is relevant against the onslaught of the 'best 1995 has to offer' slogan.

As for calling someone who makes a rebranding etc of Slackware childish because most of the programs they use are from elsewhere --Have you ever looked at Slackware sources? P did not code everything in Slackware by hand - most of it's programs were written by other people which P then incorporates into the distro, so I guess by your meter Slackware itself is childish, sheesh!

P.S No one can help upstream if they do not have a clue how Slackware works in the first place and a good way to learn is to have fun with your own distro --that way you can break things and move on. If, for instance, every Slackware noob was contributing software to the upstream not only would it clog and waste time but it would also result in a crappy Slackware! - Is that what you want?


No offense but dude.. I mean lighten up.

No no! Slackware was written from scratch and all of it's userland and the Linux kernel itself was written by one man *rolls eyes*