One of the many wonderful things about our distro is that the developers stay true to the Slackware KISS maxim. The Slackware team knows that Slackers do not want a GUI-fied version of Slackware. I sure as hell don't! The administration tools that ship with Slackware are excellent as is.
There are lots of other distros out there that offer bling.

LOL. Offtopic I know, but just to see what had changed in the last few releases I just booted into a ubuntu 10.04 live usb and right as I was reading your post all I could think of is "Damn Ubuntu actually got UGLIER!"

I think the "vanilla-ness" of Slackware is what makes it different than other distros
so I say "No"
If one wants that stuff Get SalixOS!
That's the best "Slackware based" distor and lots of gui apps,etc

No.

curses = graphical

I agree. What does X do for an installer?

I think it'd be ok to leave the Slackware installation without gui tools. Then again I don't think it'd hurt to include them in the extras directory and as long as they're gtk based, but it still seems kinda iffy to include them even there. Slackware is the most *nix like linux distro and I think it should stay that way. Especially for the more hardcore linuxerz...

I just installed Fedora, and I could barely understand how to use the graphical disk partitioner, however, with fdisk I know exactly what to do. About a year ago, I would have been scared off using fdisk though during a new install thinking I would destroy something, it's funny how things change, :-)

I think it is then agreed that none of what the author of said article is ever going to be taken in by Slackware, nor does any Slacker even want such 'features' and he just should get over it and try a different distro.

After all I don't really see Slackers go to Ubuntu, Fedora, or whatever other 'glitzy' distro and demand elements of Slackware be included.

The only possible radical change that I would ever consider that Slackware should undergo is maybe, maybe going multilib, but even then only have that option in /extra.

That makes three of us.

And another thing. I don't know about anyone else but I spend more time installing slack in a non-gui environment, over ssh etc.

I vote no too. Slackware is awesome without more GUI tools that insulate the admin from the Slackware system.

A minimum complement GUI tools sets the expectation for a higher degree of admin competency. Competent admins require less support which allows the Slackware team to stay lean and focus on improving core functionality.

If something breaks with Slackware then there is one less thing to trouble shoot when a GUI is not involved.

Minimal GUI apps is a situation when less is better IMHO. If you want to add more GUI apps to a Slackware desktop or server then take a look at something like Webmin.

*I guess this post doesn't technically have to do with graphical utilities, but it has to do with the Slackware way of doing things.
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I will be completely honest, I think the Slackware way of doing things is much easier than a lot of other distros, I was pleasantly surprised. For example, when installing a piece of software, on debian:

Would you expect a beginning Linux user to be able to remember that? The Slackware way is similar to what non-Linux users would expect. Do an internet search for a piece of software and download it. Then instead of having to remember complicated commands, just:

Of course, that is if you are using a slackbuild, but I would think beginners would be using them.

Keep the ncurses installer, it gives dumb reviewers something to whine about. :)

I voted no - heck no was not an option. Graphical installers can be very confusing when throwing up options. GUI admin tools just take too long after the simplicity of Slackware. I realize that some people just love the GUI, and it definitely has it's place, but its not the best (easiest) way.

Thinking is hard, thinking hurts me noggin`
 

As well as no 'default' bootsplash (except on a lilo menu, just to tease them), and also keep the current philosophy of Slackware just so that they actually have to THINK for a change. :eek: *gasp* "We actually have to THINK?' :eek:

If the majority feels that Slackware is not welcoming, then thats fine by me. Slackware welcomes those who prefer to LEARN about computing, not just for use, and DEFINITELY NOT turning a computer into an 'appliance' like other systems have done.