All Linux distributions are Linux. All Linux distributions have their own quirks and special ways of doing things.

Slackware is the oldest Distribution that is still actively developed, with it's first release in 1993.
Debian was announced in 1993 as well, first release delivered in 1994.

Regardless I don't see either one of them being more 'Linuxy' than the other, they just do things differently.

No the question was not misunderstood, if you install any Distro, be it Slackware, Debian, RedHat, Mandriva, Suse, Gentoo The biggest difference is in the Package Manager.

Learning the command line and the file structure is universal, when a Linux distro is made there is a standard that they go by. So at its heart all Linux distro's are the same, there may be some small difference but very small. So as I said if you learn how to do things from the command line side you will be at home in any distro.

opensuse 10.3 takes less time to boot than vista.
try it out

thanks to all replies! there's no shortcuts for me then. i'll need to really take time to learn each distro to learn each distro. wish me luck.

Where on Earth have you gotten the idea that Slackware's installation is "hardcore"? :/

Hello,

I'm not sure there is a de facto "linux way". Distros will vary in types: some use binary packages, some are source-based. Some release CDs at set intervals, other use a rolling release system. However, in the end, they all use the kernel from kernel.org (there may be small differences in patches used, hardly worth noting), they all use the same bash, they all have more or less the same desktops.

A linux distribution is nothing more than a collection of software made by other groups (GNU, KDE, GNOME, et al). The only thing that varies from distro to distro is the way the software is glued together. Instead of looking for some higher essence of linux, I'd rely on what I expect from a distro, to guide me in my choice.

I've been using Arch Linux for many years now, so I can give you a feel for the distro. When you are done installing it, you will have less than 500 megs of packages installed. Just the basics. From there on in, it is up to you to add what you want using pacman, and to configure it yourself. If you don't know how, then learn. If you still don't know how, ask in the Arch forums. Your question will most likely be answered in less than 10 minutes. And also, 99% of questions have already been asked, so just search the forums or the Wiki.

Arch will "force" you to know what's on your system. Arch will teach you that it is often better to read a conf file and a man page, instead of letting some guy halfway across the planet choose defaults for you.

If you agree with the stuff I just said, perhaps Arch is for you. If not, give something else a try. I wouldn't bother looking for a "true" linux.

HTH,
peart