Slackware Minimal Install

Dr. Psy · 05-29-2005, 04:16 PM

Am I the only one that wishes Slackware had a predefined 'minimal install' option? Like SuSe Linux installation has?

Of course, I realize that you can do this yourself, through package selection, I just thought it would be nice if the install menu gave you the option to just choose 'minimal install' and take care of it.

Theres not much I wish was different about Slackware Linux! But that is one thing that would really be nice to see in the install menu!

killerbob · 05-29-2005, 04:29 PM

The minimal install would be the "A" package.

Tinkster · 05-29-2005, 04:30 PM

The problem is that whoever you ask would say that a
different set of packages resembles a minimal install ...

I'm certain that my minimal would be distinct from yours :}

The only thing I can recommend to you would be to
create a set of custom tags with your preferences, and re-use
that from a floppy next time you need your "minimal setup".

Cheers,
Tink

Dr. Psy · 05-29-2005, 05:55 PM

Tinkster, that is a good point. I suppose that each of us would have different requirements of a 'minimal install'

cavalier · 05-29-2005, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dr. Psy
Tinkster, that is a good point. I suppose that each of us would have different requirements of a 'minimal install'

I'm glad somebody brought up setting up your own, custom tags to make that 'minimal' install for your system easy to do.

I mean, it's desperately easy to do a full install from the beginning, once you've buggered up the system so much that you just can't be bothered to fix it anymore...

But it would be nice to to have to pick and choose the packages in Expert mode each time. Might cut my reinstall time down from the just under an hour mark.

I tend to agree with the common assesment, however, that everyone has their own definition of minimal. Back in the day, it was the 'A' disks, so that's a really good place to start. You'll likely want to add chunks of 'AP', 'L' and 'N', if not also 'X' and 'XAP' options.

Tinkster · 05-30-2005, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by cavalier
Back in the day, it was the 'A' disks, so that's a really good place to start. You'll likely want to add chunks of 'AP', 'L' and 'N', if not also 'X' and 'XAP' options.

But even A as minimal is not quite true, you see.

If you don't have a notebook you most likely won't bother
with pcmcia*tgz ... I've never used minicom*tgz in my life.
tcsh I find disgusting :) smartmon is another one I never
use (or install).

AP:
amp
aumix
dvd+rw-tools
flac
madplay
most
seejpeg
sox
workbone
zsh

And so on ... ;)

cavalier · 05-30-2005, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tinkster
But even A as minimal is not quite true, you see.

If you don't have a notebook you most likely won't bother
with pcmcia*tgz ... I've never used minicom*tgz in my life.
tcsh I find disgusting smartmon is another one I never
use (or install).

Amen. You're absolutely right. Even when I do a bare A install, I pick and choose using Expert installation. I really do need to get a set of custom tags built. Because I do use a notebook, but I still turn off things like XFS and JFS support, minicom, floppy support, UMSDOS support, hdparms, smartmon, holy cow, but I'm picky.

Waggs · 05-31-2005, 09:13 PM

Try MiniSlack... it's minimal but has everything you need for a usable base system. This is definately easier than trying to use the trial and error method of picking and choosing packages and winding up with a broken install....just my 2 cents