I started using slackware a few years ago. I just recently upgraded all my machines to 12. It runs as well on my k6-2/400 as it does on my p3/1GHz. As with most distros the more RAM the better, but I don't have any real issues running it with 128MB. Still works great on the older stuff. HAL makes it much easier for the novice user. I can't wait to see what Pat has in mind for the next release.

I can't believe i used other distros before Slackware. Of course it's not as easy to get used to, but just by being a Linux user before, you can get on the right track with just a little effort to read about what you need.

I must say that sometimes i get lost and can't find answers, but the people here in LQ have always risen up to the occasion!!! Sorry if i didn't put a lot of techie information, i am not that savvy, but at least i do get around with Slack and so far it's been a nice ride.

Can't wait to learn much more with the help of all you Slack users out there and of course, RESEARCHING and READING.

Slackware is one of the oldest, best-maintained, and highest quality distributions available. It's stability is legendary. The only other distro I've found to be this stable is Debian. Slack is FAST, too! Very FAST! Once understood, Slack is easily manipulated and customized. It's a "tinkerer's delight" to use and play with.

Enjoy! :)

Read the reviews here on LinuxQuestions, read the problems people have in the forum and if you are up for a bit of learning and hand tweaking you will be amply rewarded with simply the best version of Linux out there.

If you are scared having done some research, plump for Ubuntu.

Quite simply put, the custom cycle shop of Linux distros.

Now if only Patrick Volkerding could just switch to GNU GRUB...

I have been using Slackware for 13 years. I have tried many other distros at work and at home. There's simply nothing that even comes close to Slackware. It's easy to build anything from source and it's easy to customize. I also prefer BSD init rather than System V and Slackware is one of the few BSD init distros left.

If you want to *learn* Linux, use Slackware. If you want to *use* Linux use Slackware, unless you're a *wimp* then use Kubuntu. Kubuntu is what I recommend to people who don't want to get their hands dirty. I don't recommend Gnome-based anything to anyone.

Not sure why the previous person is stuck on Grub. I've used Grub and Lilo. I like Lilo better because I know it better but to be honest, I only see the Lilo boot screen once every few months.

Installation is simple and straight forward. Once installed it just simply runs.

Slack was by far the easiest distro to install even on my flaky machinery- just put the disk in & go. After that, I had a good system without much adjustment.

Trouble is, if you need extra apps, eg KmyMoney2 in this case, you need to read everything there is on the subject including LQ & Slackbook, then make sure you've read the README in the unzipped package- as that gives you chapter & verse which might differ from advice from other sources. A dedicated Linux user will probably think nothing of it, but if you don't intend to spend a fair bit of time expanding your skills you may be better off with a distro that does your new package shopping for you.

I always install a fresh version of slack on one of my computers each year, just so I don't forget what real linux os is all about

If you want to really want to learn Linux - or have a fair knowledge of *nix operating systems, then Slackware is the distro of choice.

It doesn't have heavily patched kernels, doesn't include flaky programs that appear in one version then vanish in the next.

It will do everything you ask of it if you are prepared to put in that little extra.

What is there not to love?

Initial setup can be a pain... especially with more exotic hardware, but after that, the OS runs fast and solid.

I like the lack of auto-magical tools that hide problems from you. You always know what's going on in Slackware if you know where to look. You are always able to fix stuff without magic tools getting in your way.

very good. ive been having some minor problems, but i love slackware!!!

I'm a slackware user since 1997, I'm impress the way slackware works on old machines, and this release is not an exception.

I've a PIII 1GHz with 128Mb and works very well, of course I don't run any graphic environment on it, but Apache, PHP, MySql, a little firewall, etc.

For all the new users, I recommend only if you would like to learn, read, practice very hard and the most important, enjoy linux.

Cya guys

I am a big Slackware fan, it is simple and gives you what you need and not to much. I don't like how big it is to be honest, but it seems all operating systems are getting big today. I am a big fan of Slax, which is a small, live-cd, under 200 megs, Linux system with full KDE - based on Slackware. Personally I like how Slackware doesn't automatically boot the X server, because I usually just use the shell, and start X if I'm feeling lonely. =P

Slackware has to be the most complete operating system out there, it has everything you could need, and strives to be simple and secure.

I actually recommend to people (nerds) who want to start on Linux, to start with Slackware rather then say Ubuntu because it requires you to learn how the file system is organized, and how to use the shell properly. And then move onto the X server. And if they want, at that point to move on to a more streamlined OS, that is more then well, because then they have the knowledge they need if something goes wrong. On the other hand, if they are just wanting to try Linux out to get a feel for it, and not really wanting to become a 'power user' then I'm more then happy to point them in the direction of a more simpler OS, because this one is not for complete strangers to Linux.

I have a few machines running 12.0 or above. Servers and workstations. I tried Suse, Fedora, Red Hat, Centos, Ubuntu, etc. just to name a few. This is my pick.