which packages do i need to install?
 

Hi all,

I'm not entirely new to Slack but it is time to learn what I do and don't need installed (I've just been useing install everything option in the past). Some things aren't self-explanatory to me such as "sendmail" is this only for actually useing the pc as a mail server instead of useing my internet mail I configure in Mozilla. The pc is a desktop home/pc/windows replacement. Is there a sticky or site that addressess this already?

Thanks a bunch!

Rob

If or when your installing, there is a Newbie verbose mode that you can select and individually pick packages as it prompts for them, it gives a brief description what the package is/does, etc. It will also display if its Required/Optional as well. That is one way of installing the packages. I don't know of any site that explains the packages except maybe www.linuxpackages.net

aye the newbie verbose mode didn't help a whole lot either for example under description for "sendmail" it says "package to enable you to send mail" which is kind of obvious but its not saying exactly what it is. however I didn't have the patience with it to see that they said "required" or optional that would probably be a clue to me. Guess there's nothing to lose really I could just start removing packages and write em down as I go to see what they do exactly and thus learn how to slim it all down that way.

Here's another question that's a tad off topic but perhaps any onlookers here would know anyway: what performance gain does a person really gain by useing an i686 built distro (like Gentoo or Yoper) over i386 like slack etc?

thanks.