Want to know preferred method of Slackware 13 installation, CD or DVD

MonkfishAlchemist · 02-16-2010, 01:57 PM

I'm new to Linux and I want to know if there's any difference in price, content or compatibility, between the CD ROM set and the DVD version of Slackware 13, and are there any recommended places of purchase. Thanks.

... PS. Are the drivers needed for windows needed for linux? IE... deleted entire hardrive partition to be rid of computer virus without knowing what I was doing or backing up and having trouble reinstalling from the DELL tech website...

Thanks much for any answers.

reed9 · 02-16-2010, 02:02 PM

I would say if you want to purchase Slackware, do it straight from their website.
http://store.slackware.com/cgi-bin/store

It looks like the CD set only provides the 32 bit version, and the DVD has 64 bit Slackware as well. Beyond that, they should be pretty comparable.

Drivers for linux are usually included in the linux kernel, so it is rare to have to go searching around the web for them. In some cases, primarily with wireless cards, you may need to install extra firmware for a driver or build a newer version of a driver to work properly with your hardware. But the vast majority of hardware works effortlessly.

pixellany · 02-16-2010, 02:04 PM

You can download slackware---and most other Linux distros (distributions--AKA versions) free of cost. Many will give you the **option** of buying a CD or DVD, and others will simply solicit donations. Your choice.

I would recommend not paying for Linux until you have tried it---this includes the possibility that you will try several versions before settling down.

To answer your specific question, I would never expect a substantive difference between a DVD and CD version. I would always start with the minimum and add things--with Slack, I think that means just 2 or 3 CDs.

MonkfishAlchemist · 02-16-2010, 02:04 PM

So it would be unadvisable to find A Slackware package on say, google shopping?

pixellany · 02-16-2010, 02:08 PM

unadvisable? --I don't know. I would say "unnecessary", or maybe "waste of money".

Linux, including all the various libraries, utilities, and most applications----is fundamentally free of cost. When you pay for a distro, you're just buying the convenience. In a few cases (eg RHEL** or SLED**) you are buying support.

*RedHat Enterprise Linux

**SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop