I have ben using Slackware for a year and a half now (first 9.1 then 10.0 now I'm on 10.1), but lately I got the urge to try a different distro, preferably one with a better packet-management system.
So I was wondering if there any Debian users who have switched from Slackware, and if they could write their experiences regarding packet management, ease of configuration (IMHO, Slackware's configuration through various text-files is better than various wizard programs) and specific features of Debian

Thanks!

Erik

Just download and use the Debian net-installer and see for yourself. You can control what and how much gets installed if you don't just go with the defaults, so you could easily go the minimal route and just dual boot with Slack for a while until and if you make a decision for one over the other.

Debian is more for those who prefer to spend their time on things that don't include detailed system and package management. If you like the more hands-on approach of Slack then you may not want to investigate further.

As far as packet management goes, download the APT Howto and take a look at that:

http://www.debian.org/doc/user-manuals#apt-howto

I have never used slack, but I love Debian's packet management.

I used slack before I switched to Debian about a year ago. The only reason I switched was for better package management. It's really cool to upgrade with apt .

Ofcourse you can configure debian trough text files.

Just try debian out and see.

grtz

If this is true, then I wil definitely try out Debian

thanks for the replys, guys

It's the same story here. I started out with Slack and loved it (I still do). There are basically three type of Linux distros: there's Slackware, there's Debian, and there are the .rpm distros. It's just a personal preference but I tend to keep away from the .rpm stuff.

Oh, and there's also Gentoo, that's basically the Linux version of BSD. It's OK if you like to build things from source. I don't. It takes too much time, IMO.

There are some distros that attempt to address some of Slackware's shortcomings: Frugalware, ZenWalk (formerly MiniSlack), and Vector. You might want to try one of these if you like Slack.

There are also quite a lot Debian derivatives: Zen Linux, SimplyMepis, Knoppix, Kanotix, (K)Ubuntu, Libranet, Linspire, Xandros, etc. You don't really need any of these if you are able to install Midnight Commander (aptitude install mc) and to point it to /usr/share/doc , if you're able to read the man pages, and to use the Google search engine. If this sounds too intimidating, then try some Debian derivative instead.