Hello world,
I'm a newbie that uses Ubuntu 10.04 LTS. Love it but it's time to really learn how Linux works. I've got this old laptop I want to install Slackware too.

What's my best option install older version of Slackware and configure with newer drivers or install 13.37 and pick a handful of packages?

I've used tiny core and puppy but something never works and it's impossible to install drivers. At least the way they suggest on their forums. Enough of amateur hour. I want a Linux that I can set up and it stays working.

Thanks for any help given.

No need for an older version, you can give 14.0 a go, but you won't go very far, since 4 GB is about the space you need for the system. Plus, installing Slackware on these old machines needs some minimum skills in order to have something usable. On this box, I'd do without KDE, KDEI, E, T and XFCE. Eventually remove those apps from XAP you are sure not to use. And I'd use Fluxbox or install either Enlightenment or Openbox from SBo as window managers.

For someone new to Slackware (especially if you are used to dependency resolving package management, like Ubuntu does it) the only recommended way to install Slackware is the full install. To install a minimal version of Slackware you need some knowledge first. I would recommend to use your main system to learn about Slackware, maybe in a virtual machine if you don't want to dual boot. Later on you can try to run a minimal install on that machine, but trying that first can be a very discouraging experience (I learned that the hard way).

I'm currently training a class of ten Windows-only sysadmins. Most of them are completely new to Linux. We start off with a full install except KDE and KDEI, so folks can install a sandbox system even on modest hardware. Xfce will work on the configuration described above, but only in the sense that chickens fly and horses swim.

Compact Flash just went out, so I ordered a regular hard drive. I agree with you both. I read different post's of people trying this and it does seem complicated. I don't need this laptop so that's why I wanted to experiment.
With more ram and a much larger hard drive I'll just see what I can do.

I do think this would be a logical next step for Slackware. Slackware without bloat, just a guide to how to add only what you want from each package. I'm not talking about a new distro. How many people out there want to experiment with Slackware but only have some old hardware to do it on. Clear guidance is what is needed. In plain language, not geekese. Linux started out as an OS that you could use to cobble together a system out of old parts.

Thanks for the advise. After reading up I'm sure I'll have questions.

I'm currently busy writing exactly the book you describe. It's for the french editor Eyrolles and will be available around early 2013. Linux step by step, explained to complete newbies, and based on Slackware 14.0, with regards to old hardware.

Alright go with the Slackware 14 iso because it's significantly smaller than 13.37. If you need help installing it onto a usb drive ask and I can tell you exactly how to do it. When you're installing I recommend having another computer with instructions on installing slackware up just for quick reference.

Then when you get to the app installation part just select the package sets you need then select expert and deselect the packages that you don't need for a less bloated system. *Hint most bloat will come from the AP and XAP packages, they come with a lot of programs like 3 audio players, video players, gui's, etc..

That will be something to behold. I know I couldn't do it, as there are just too many things I do automatically.

The difference in size is in the ISO only. Actually full installation of Slackware 14.0 takes slightly more hard drive space than 13.37. The ISO is smaller, because source files were moved to a 2nd ISO.

True but If he was wanting to do a complete install from a usb stick then a smaller ISO would be much easier to do. I never could get 13.37 to write to any usb because of FAT32 format I think.