Most things in my mind are already said here, so all i can do is to agree with the point that slackware is the best distribution for people who really want to learn how things are working.
Sure it might give you one or two propblems, maybe more, but with the great help of the worldwide Slackware community, you will always be able to solve these problems, and this will give you a nice feeling
I started with Suse once, and was verys upset of it because most things didn´t work the way I wanted and there was so much crap on my HD I never needed.
Frustrated and bored, I turned my back on Linux. Then, after a while, I tryed again..... well, same result
Over the years I tryed Suse, Mandrake, RedHat / Fedora, Icepack ( anyone remember this nice distro ? ) and some others.
I never was happy with Linux, until I discovered Slackware.
I gave it a try, and I really was impressed by the clean setup.
I had to configure things by editing simple textfiles, no "graphical wizard" crap...
I started to read a lot about Linux and ..... well...... here I am, still with Slackware

I always do recommend Slackware for newbies.
Sure it is a little bit harder without any graphical twiggling, especially for those "Windows burned" people, but if you really want to learn how things are working, Slackware is the number one joice

Just like to say that I am a total Linux noob (been using it for 2 hours) and I am currently installing slack with no problems so far.

From what I can tell, it's really not that hard as long as you read up a bit before you try it.

Oh, and the figure 2 hours is including the time it took to download and burn the CD, heh.

I may need help quite soon in the future however o_O

And I reckon I am about as 'Windows burned' as you can get. I've been using M$ Win since 3.x... which was coincidentally when i was about 3 years and x months. Heh.

Actually I just had a problem but I know what it was.
I accidentally hit cancel when it asked me to install lilo. D'oh.

Yuh, reading helps quite a lot in using Slackware. I started Linux with reading Unix: The Complete Reference http://books.mcgraw-hill.com/getbook...sbn=007211892X That is kind of a long way, but at least it build's up the basic of Unix. And I guess that's why I am so incline to Slackware.

I have been using slackware now for about 7 years and helped a lot of others to do the same. It really isn't hard to learn slackware, you just have to know were to look. If I hear things like 2 hours to get a mouse to work then I think you don't learned the basics. If you type your mouse type + XF86 or Xorg in google you have the answers in 5 minutes.

Really you are not the only one that have the same setup problems, just try to search in the right direction. Most problems are not slackware related but program related for example the X server.

And if you are happy and content with your Windows why switch? Please keep using it and don't bother us.

SLACK!!!...

need one say more?......

i mean you could, but that is slackware's point....yes?
simple...reliable....kinda like a car with a standard transmition and clutch....you drive it however you want.... it is not about something sucking or ruling..... its about what ya want to drive....an automatic or a standard.....but then again there are those who would rather just take the bus.....

rock!!

and as always....

ok ,maybe i was a little jumpy with my judgment, because of my server data lost with slackware , but now that i have downloaded and purchase around 5 books covering all the aspect of linux , i ll dedicate this month for just linux , so after it ll pass i ll come back here and post a résumé based on a more logical aproach ,see you all 1 october.

Of course you're bitter 'cause you lost your data, it sucks and it happens to just about everyone at least occasionally, but it's not Slack's fault; just look at it as an expensive reminder about always backing up and hopefully we'll see you back.

yeah...
and to wutever : plz. don't write Slackware is crap , it makes you look stupid.
and i don't think you are...

( i've lost so many data : no backup so....i was to blame... )
and since any linux-related Q. in google will bring you here....
you'll be back soon..

egag

I have only been using linux for a couple months and the first distro I tried was suse.I didn't learn a whole lot about linux about by using suse since it pretty much automated all the complicated stuff.

With slackware I'm forced to learn how to make it work, which I totally enjoy.I'm the type of person who would rather build a computer than buy one from dell or whatever just because I enjoy the task and the problem solving envolved and the knowledge gained from the experiance.

Distro's like suse,mandrake,ect do a good job at making an easy to use alternative to windows.I wasn't looking for a less costly alternative to windows when I decided to switch to linux.I was looking for something complex and powerful like slack.

But thats just me, I think every newbie should ask themselfs if they are really up to the challenge of learning how linux really works.If your the type of person who is gonna get mad because your having problems then slack possibly linux isn't for you.

As a newbie linux user off and on I am looking to do some learning and really get into linux. I have read that you have used certain books. "Linux, The complete reference" As I was searching on places where to buy this book I ran into different editions of this book. I am quite certain you are talking about this book? If not, can you post me to an appropriate copy of this book, or any other books you think would be helpful for the new linux user willing to learn. I am also looking to learn specifically in slackware. Thank you for any input.

hoi, Nitroxide.....
maybe you should visit the Slackware-store at www.Slackware.com .
i think there are books etc.... for sale, specific on Slackware.

egag

Well I checked that store and I saw the book there although it is quite expensive and seems like something I could get off ebay. I was just wondering if the one I linked was a good book and worth buying.

bump

The book you posted looks like the one I have on my shelf! So I'd say buy it. At 12 dollars how can you say no? It's a great book and gives you PLUNTY of stuff to do after you get your system up and running with the software you want and the way you want it

Beautiful. Thank you.