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Old 02-09-2011, 01:53 AM   #1
jonbvgood
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Why Slackware?


A saw a similar thread under Ubuntu forum, so I thought I would ask the question. I have heard some goods things about slackware.
I currently use Ubuntu/Kubuntu 10.10 for its ease but I never quite get the configuration just right. As I am on the move I have a netbook for main use so any distro needs to be compatable with a smaller screen. I am after simple and configureable, is slackware that?
 
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Old 02-09-2011, 03:54 AM   #2
Sylvester Ink
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I switched to Slackware when 13.1 was released last May, primarily out of curiosity and due to the fact that it's lightweight enough for my 9-year old laptop. Since then I've come to like it enough to install it on all my remaining computers, including a netbook.

I love the speed and stability, as well as how well loaded a full install is with all the development tools I use regularly. I also like how when I have everything set up and customized, I can just leave it alone and not worry about updates drastically changing the system, an annoyance that often got on my nerves with Ubuntu. (Don't get me wrong, I still think Ubuntu is a fine distro that plays an important role.) Customizing is admittedly a bit difficult at first since you'll mostly be working in text files, but it turns out to be a lot easier to keep track of your settings that way.

Slackware does seem to have a bit of a reputation when it comes to package management and dependencies, but I found that once I got used to it, Slackware's package system is the one I like best. First off, the full install gives you many of the dependencies you'll need for most additional packages. All the official packages are easily updated through the slackpkg command whenever important security updates come out. I hear that upgrading to a new release is very similar, but not too difficult if you follow the instructions.

If you want to install additional packages that aren't provided with Slackware, the best way to do it is through a slackbuild script. These scripts provide a standard template for compiling and creating packages for Slackware to install. (Yes, you can also do manual compile and installs, but that just ends up making it more difficult to manage your packages.) Slackbuilds.org is my website of choice for this, as they have an excellent selection and clear instructions on how to use slackbuilds. I also highly recommend the tool sbopkg, which is a program similar to slackpkg that allows you to streamline the slackbuild process.

I guess I'm rambling a bit about managing packages here, but I think that's the most intimidating concept for a Slackware newcomer, especially if they're used to something like apt-get, so I just want to point out that it's really not that hard.

On a final note, getting Slackware working nicely on a netbook will take some tweaking. Out of the box it doesn't quite match something like Ubuntu Netbook Edition, but with a bit of customization you'll get better battery life, a snappier interface, and an overall smoother netbook experience. On my Asus 1005ha, my battery life is approximately 9-10 hours. I use the fluxbox window manager, which is quick and light on resource use.

So I definitely recommend it for your needs, but just beware that you'll need to be patient as you learn the basics.
 
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Old 02-09-2011, 05:49 AM   #3
jonbvgood
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Many thanks

Many thanks for comprehensive reply it certainly appears that this may be a distro worth trying. I have no problem with having to do a few tweaks that is half the fun.
 
Old 02-09-2011, 06:02 AM   #4
brianL
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Check out the Slackware Links, plenty of information there about Slackware (and Linux in general).
 
Old 02-09-2011, 07:57 AM   #5
allend
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I run Slackware-current with KDE 4.5.5 on a netbook with a 1024x600 screen. I am very happy with it.
The only problem I have had was with corruption of the screen following resume from suspend to disk, which appears to be a hardware specific problem that can be overcome by recompiling the i915 kernel module reversing a problematic patch.
The only screen size issue I have seen was with the modem settings screen in kppp. The only way I could get to see all of the settings was to use the KDE window menu (top left icon) -> Advanced -> Special Window Settings ... -> Geometry -> Size to set a suitable window size.
Quote:
I am after simple and configureable, is slackware that?
Some in this forum think that Slackware is the paradigm of that!
 
Old 02-09-2011, 01:09 PM   #6
XavierP
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Moved to the main Slackware forum
 
Old 02-09-2011, 03:11 PM   #7
Perceptor
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jonbvgood View Post
I am after simple and configureable, is slackware that?
Yes, it is. Slackware is cleanly designed with simplicity in mind, without useless obscurities and allows full control over the system. But in order to fully utilize its potential, you must be willing to read. Slack is perfectly suited for new users willing to learn more about Linux since it (Slackware) is logical and does not hide anything. It also creates a mindset for dealing with computers in genreal, which I find mostly beneficial. If that's what you're after, go on with Slack, otherwise (if by "simple" you mean "easy" and don't have the time to tinker with the system) choose some other distro.
Good luck.
 
Old 02-09-2011, 05:18 PM   #8
qweasd
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Quote:
I currently use Ubuntu/Kubuntu 10.10 for its ease but I never quite get the configuration just right.
I also use Ubuntu, at work. At home, I switched back to Slackware at 13.0. I really like both distributions and appreciate their strengths and weaknesses, and I hope you won't be disappointed: when it comes to fine-tuning your configuration, Slackware is exceptionally simple, flexible, and predictable. In Ubuntu, I feel like I am on a magical tour, with the system configuration and software packages constantly in flux. With Slackware, I get a fixed configuration where nothing at all changes unless I say so. Better yet, the system represents the best effort to leave individual applications with their upstream settings, so I can figure out what is going on by reading the upstream documentation. I actually get a feel for individual applications doing their thing: cron, kwin, udev, cups, instead of a giant ball of Gnome glue.
Quote:
As I am on the move I have a netbook for main use so any distro needs to be compatable with a smaller screen.
This is another great thing about Slackware: it is not tied to any particular desktop environment. I happen to use KDE in all of its buggy mess, only because I like to saturate my screen with candy for no reason. But the system is perfectly functional (indeed, more functional) with one of the minimalistic DEs: xfce, *box, WindowMaker, all included and ready to use.
 
Old 02-09-2011, 08:08 PM   #9
zbreaker
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Linux (dual boot) since 2005...'doze free in 2008...started w/Slack with 12.0. Slackware is just so pure and simple..by the time I found my way to it after hopping with many distros it was like finding
the perfect balance.
 
Old 02-09-2011, 08:51 PM   #10
hitest
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I started with Slackware in 2004, with version 10.0, on a PII 266 MHz box, with a 4 GB HD, and 128 MB RAM. This is a screenshot of Slackware 10.2 on that same box.

http://www2.citytel.net/~gnielsen/snapshot5.jpg

I am running Slackware 13.1 and -current at the moment on Pentium three boxes, and two Intel dual core units.

Slackware is a robust, amazing OS that will run well on ancient hardware and high end stuff. I am and always will be a die-hard Slacker.
 
Old 02-09-2011, 09:56 PM   #11
jonbvgood
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Smile

In simple I do not mean easy and I am fully prepared to get reading, learning a new distro is always fun. With these positive views I am even more determined to get started with Slackware. Many thanks.
 
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Old 02-09-2011, 10:08 PM   #12
hitest
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Smile

Quote:
Originally Posted by jonbvgood View Post
In simple I do not mean easy and I am fully prepared to get reading, learning a new distro is always fun. With these positive views I am even more determined to get started with Slackware. Many thanks.
You have the right attitude! Preparation is key to a successful first install. Read the slackbook, and the available documentation on your install media, and you will prevail.
 
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