You can't say "Its <insert OS>'s fault!". It is 100% your system.

I work as a filmmaker and photographer. I don't have time to stop everything that I'm doing in my 10 hour work schedule to learn how to do everything (or most things) by hand, etc. This is why I want things to just work. I have no interest in learning all the ins and outs of how an operating system or computer work. I do enough learning.

After reading through these replies I guess it's all about the control. That's understandable.

Learn how to install it. That's how I've been doing with Mepis. For the most part, everything, including the firewall, has been setup for me. When I run into a problem, I learn how to solve that problem and keep going. It's easier for me this way, and it doesn't take too much time from my life.

Slackware Linux is not your ordinary Linux distribution. For starters, it rarely figures in news headlines, preferring to keep a low profile instead. Its developers have stubbornly resisted any attempts to make their users' lives easier: the distribution provides no graphical configuration utilities, it's package management does not resolve dependencies and its simple, text-mode installer has undergone very few changes in years. Yet, Slackare Linux remains one of the top 5 Linux distributions in use today. What is the reason for its tight hold on many users? Surely, in the absence of any convenient features found in other modern distributions, the only explanation is that Slackware holds supernatural powers - try it once and you will never be able to leave it again for any other distribution.

I have a test computer in my room. I''m going to try Slackware on it again. I'll post my feelings about it in this thread.

If you want everything to "just work" then you probably should stick with the Mac (at least for work) - Macs are great for video editing, from what I hear, and Linux's support for things like video-input and video editing probably isn't nearly as good as Mac - sure, it's plenty good enough for home use, but not for professional use, I don't think.
Contrary to popular belief, Slackware actually DOES set you up with a 100% working system. All it leaves for you to do on your own is create your own login by typing "adduser". That's it. Then you log in and, if you want X, type "startx". I was referring to some of the "extra" programs that aren't included with the distro (such as GTKPod for your iPod or swaret for updates [although from what I hear there is another program on the CD that can handle this]) when I said you need to learn to install programs - which really isn't hard, but many Windows users act like it is because it's not just double-click and go (as if following a step-by-step tutorial in the README file isn't easy enough for them. . .).

From what I'm hearing, there is absolutely no difference between the way Mepis installs and the way Slackware installs. Both leave you with a 100% usable system, both are super-easy to setup, both are very straight-forward. Tell me these two things:
1) Did you even try Slackware? And I mean a good, honest try - reading the on-screen instructions and following them step-by-step? Saying that you couldn't figure out how to partition the hard disk when it specifically tells you how isn't fair.
2) What's so different about Mepis from Slackware? Does it make X come up automatically? Does the setup automatically set you up with a regular user account? Both of these are EXTREMELY easy - and quick - to do on your own. Or is it simply that Mepis has a GUI installer? Because Slack's installer is VERY easy to use, even if you do use the keyboard.

I think you'll be quite happy with it.

Slackware certainly isn't for rank beginners, but, if you're persistent you'll install slackware.
I love the stability and speed of my slackware system. Slackware lets you set-up your computer your way. I have been distro shopping for three years. Slackware is my favorite distro.
Simplicity is divine:-)

I like slackware because -

1. It is fast.
2. It remains fast even after months of use and after umpteen number of installed packages.
3. It is stable.

Because I am a sub genius on the corner of fnord and /dev/null. And because my atari won't let me play Supertux <-- yet.

I think Slackware is perfect for a rank beginner if that person has a willingness to learn and is willing to move forward knowing that every issue has a answer and a helpful slacker willing to lend a hand.

If the rank beginner is just looking to avoid Vista and wants a near transparent transition then Slackware isn't the right choice. This person would like to buy an mac but there is still some life in his computer and he heard about linux. That person should be on Ubuntu or another super friendly linux.

Slackware was my first distro and I am very glad it was, I am using Ubuntu now and I've finally stopped dual booting. I wiped XP from my machine and I have everything running great in Ubuntu now. I do wish I had the time to get Slackware running with all of these features on this machine thou.

I am buying a new computer and I'm going to hand this one down to my daughter and install Slackware as my only OS next month.

I think the appeal of Slackware is the pride that you feel when you tile your own kitchen floor instead of having someone in to do it for you. You enjoy it more knowing you put in the effort. Also, what is behind the GUI is not a mystery and you can't blame anyone but yourself if it breaks.

Very true.
I also run Ubuntu, it's a great distro and very easy for beginners. But it is not -and never will be- my favorite.
The stability of Slackware, the speed...
I'm glad I started my Linux adventure with Slackware.

Slackware was the only distro that allowed me enough control over the installation process to easily load a custom disk driver. My Promise FastTrack RAID controller requires me to use either a proprietary driver from Promise, or a modified version of the "sata_promise" driver in Linux. I probably could have figured out how to make a driver installation package for other distros, but it was just easier to use Slackware.

One of the other reasons that I chose Slackware was the Slackbook. It provided more than enough information to install and use Slackware. After installing Slackware I actually had a general idea where to look when I wanted to change something or investigate a problem. Anybody can shove disks in the computer and click OK. The Slackware installation is a good balance between automating the installation steps and letting one see and control the installation steps.

My only complaint is not being able to build the KDE help index. I just keep getting "htdig failed" for an error. I need to retest that with Slack 11. I've already tried updating KDE, htdig, and a number of other things. The problem happens with either the 2.4 or 2.6 kernel. I should add that I have the same problem with other distros so Slackware isn't why I'm having the problem.

I personally like the fact that it's simple and straightforward. It doesn't force any software on you that you don't want or need. Administering the system is also straightforward, if a little challenging at times. I like CLI, and use it pretty much everyday for something. I've tried other distros, but always come back to Slackware, and it wasn't even the first. My first was RH 7, followed by RH 9, then FC 3, FC 4, Knoppix (which is great from a system repair standpoint), tried to install Debian, Gentoo and SUSE, but I think the cd's were flawed, before deciding on Slackware. Every once in a while I'll get a hair up my butt and try something else, but so far nothing has been able to compete with the stability and ease of use.

absolutely true- Slack was my 1st distro & introduction to linux, I'm not saying it didn't take a while to catch on... And I'm still learning everyday.

but later when I tried the *buntus and fedora I was frustrated by the _apparent_ lack of involvement. I mean it was almost M$ like during installation, just pop in a CD, and whamo - you're off and running. I had no idea where/what anything was or what it did.

I'm not flaming anyone else's distro.

but for me I switch to Linux out of curiosity mostly, and slackware continues to satisfy that.

It's also great for making your own distro from, I have also made a live cd from slackware 11 and when I find a server to upload it to I would live to make it available for you to download so you can try it and see why everyone loves it.