hi,
i've heard of slackware's reputation as a stable and secure distro. then why does slackware 10 install rcp, telnet, finger, rsh, rlogin... and things like that? my school has completed disabled the rcp, rsh... utilities in favor of ssh.
thanks.

Because some people probably still want to use them. Also, just because they are installed doesn't mean they are in use. You have to enable them before they can run.

Its all relative. Sure its stable. But you can make it unstable. Its secure, but you can make it unsecure. You have the option to install any programs you want during setup. If you don't want them installed, then don't install them

The fact that Linux is more secure than windows is somewhat a mis-statement. Yes, its uneffected by windows and MS based viruses, but leave the doors open and unlocked and it doesn't matter what OS you have. The result will be the same.

Linux puts you in charge and in control. But it also is about freedom.

Some people may want those programs.

I completely accept the above post about Slackware giving you the tools to do what you want.

In my home, I use telnet between some of the units which are all behind a firewall. Tools to do what you want is what makes Linux great.