A bit Gentoo-ish, isn't? This actually was my question I decided not to ask. Actually I'm planing to try this in near future: initrd with build environment in it, but I don't think I shall gain any significant prize.

Another question:
When does Opera Network Suite become another out-of-box browser in Slackware? I shall not say anything offensive about FireFox(mozilla-s) products and Chrome, but I have what to say. But not about Opera.

Hello Pat! I have been using Linux since Ubuntu Jaunty Jackelope. It was ok to learn on but was too bulky for my old Compaq V3000. I have tried to install Slackware many times since then. It was very difficult and I could never get it to work. I've spent most of the last 2 years with Linux Mint. That distro never worked right to me, but it was the best at the time.

Finally, in December 2011 I started using Salix. This was a good intro into Slackware. It was ok but I started to notice some cracks. In February of this year I said to myself that I have to install Slackware and get it running no matter what! I read everything I could. To me the documentation on the web was very confusing. I ended up reformatting my hard drive and did a complete install. It took me an entire weekend to get this done. I learned a lot and now my system runs PERFECT! It does everything I want it to and the way I want it to. I am so happy I finally figured it out and I learned a lot doing it. I know this is too soon but I will be a Slacker for life.

My question to you Pat is this: I am a computer hobbyist who is not afraid to take my system completely down to nothing and rebuild it. How can I help get others I know with slow, crappy Windows computers to take the leap into Linux, let alone Slackware? Everyone who uses my computer can't believe how easy it is to use, but they will not take the leap to Linux.

My nephews came over and they needed to write book reports and asked if they could use my computer. I signed on and let them go without telling them I do not have Windows. They were on the machine for over an hour, finished their work and never asked me a question of how to use my machine. Kids are amazing! When they were all done, I asked them if they had been using Windows. They said "Of course, what else is there!". They could not believe they were using Slackware Linux.

How can we best spread the word? How can we make it easier to get proper documentation? Thanks for giving my 7 year laptop new life!

1 members found this post helpful.

Thanks for the links ponce - it's encouraging to see such signs of positive enthusiasm for a slackware option on raspberry pi. Can't wait to get my hands on mine and start experimenting plus seeing what some of the old timers can come up with too.

What is your opinion on having an option to install Libre kernel instead of vanilla during install from dvds?

What is your opinion on the state of Slackware documentation ... it does not seem to be well maintained by many?

Do you plans on documentation for newbies or maybe, a parallel dervative distro?

What is the opinion of Mr Patrick Volkerding about P.I.P.A. And S.O.P.A. ?



And also, about the behavior of Google, Facebook, Phorm, privacy related. Otherwise: What is the philosophy of Slackware in relation to issues of breach of privacy of large companies?

thanks

Antonio

3 members found this post helpful.

Fair enough Though as long as you are not overly concerned with DE/WM integration and don't mind using the command line (It would appear not judging by your comments about boxes without X), there is nmcli (Network Manager command line interface). This is also included in slackware-current:

Ok, I am obviously biased but I really like this idea. Just to be clear in case anyone wonders, our license does allow distros to redistribute Opera and even permits the repackaging that would be necessary on Slackware.

Pat,

I would also like to know how keep up to date with so many different pieces of software?

Thanks.

Yes, fvwm is my favorite fallback desktop when I want to play again like it's the bad old days ;-) Reminds me of the VAX/Motif 'desktop' they made us use at work in the early 90s.

Yes, the only documentation you *should* need is the Slackware-HOWTO on the install media. But, like much of Linux documentation, it still tends to be a bit long on detail that might be confusing to a first-timer.

Maybe we need a "quickstart" that tells you the easiest and safest way to repartition your Windows machine for dual-boot (since that's what most people want when they're starting out), and, of course, the dedicated system install, because it's easier. How big should the swap partition be? New users don't want philosophical discussions, they want a number.

The HOWTO goes into extensive detail about how to use fdisk, but has only a note saying that "MOST people do prefer cfdisk" and that it is a reliable tool, but nothing about how to use it. I now feel like it's the only way to fly, but not before banging my head against fdisk.

I don't know what kind of install documentation can be found "on the web", but I don't suppose it is much better that the HOWTO (which is very good, but verbose when all you're trying to do is get to a login prompt).

When you're used to Ubuntu offering to do all of this automagically, it makes anything you have to do for yourself seem intimidating.

Ok, how can we help with documentation and publicity?

The Slackware install process seems quite straightforward to me, but I've done it dozens of times.

My brain is smoking from reading all these questions.

After all these years I still like to use Slackware!
Do you still like using Slackware?
Please check YES or NO


Since you work for yourself when you drive somewhere do you pay yourself mileage?

Do you miss the snow in Minnesota?

If you ever come to Pennsylvania stop by and I will cook you and your family a great Tyrolean meal.

God, family and health come first, but Slackware is next. Please take care of yourself and keep up the good work.

What does the "J" stand for in "Patrick J. Volkerding"?

1 members found this post helpful.

I'd like to know if Pat would consider using the Slackware g+ page consistently for news/updates/changelog, and if not, why?

There's a lot of tech people on g+ (even Torvalds and the kernel is on there!) - I believe Slackware would benefit greatly from having an active g+ presence.

jeremy, what date this interview will occur? im bit curious and look forward for this great moment

Given the success of some much younger distros (though arguably not as stable), does Pat have any regrets with the direction he has taken Slackware in, and does he have any aspirations to get his creation more readily accepted by the masses?

Thanks for the questions so far. I'll allow roughly 24 hours more for additional feedback. At that time I'll get the final questions over to Patrick.

--jeremy