downloading slackware-current
 

I'm a long time slackware user and have used a couple of the ISO's
so I know how to get one and burn it.

Things seem to have changed. The iso/linux directory on slack-ftp says I must "get into " the previous directory and execute stuff.

Question: How does one "get into" the afor mentioned directory. Down loading the entire dir structure will take forever, one dir at a time. Is there a way to do it with like rsync or sftp?

I have used a programs like gftp to transfer multiple directories but I also found that if errors occur it is difficult to track them down and correct. I have found that rsync works well when it is available. The main site only allows 25 concurrent connections I think. So I do not use it very often. I have not found any mirrors that are up to date enough or even have rsync available. Many of the mirrors listed on the web page are not even updating on the latest iso's much less the current tree.

But you should also consider the curent tree as beta testing and not production. Unless you wish to participate in testing the prerelease versions then I would suggest not wasting their bandwidth and your time. The current tree and the 8.1 tree are about 2GByte each. They have recently changed some of the arrangements they offer. There is now a patches directory under the 8.1 tree for packages released for 8.1. Do not mix the current tree with an 8.1 install. There are too many differences, most will not work.

As far as iso images, I do not think they have any available for the current tree. If you do download the current then you need to author your own iso images, including the boot sequence or use floppy disks.

In reference to your other question, the isolinux directory contains the boot system for an iso image when you author it. It has nothing to do with downloading an iso image and then burning it. If I understand what you are asking correctly.

Perhaps the info has been of some help. If you really wish to work with the current tree in beta testing then it would be best if you would like to email me directly if you require any assistance.

When I installed the Slackware-Current two days ago I had no problems with it. This is how I did it.

1) ncftpget -R ftp.slackware.at/slackware-current
2) then I build the ISO With the command found in the isolinux directory
3) burned the ISO
4) booted and installed with no problems

ftp.slackware.at works fast for me and I double checked that the Changelog there had all the same stuff as ftp.slackware.com and I also checked the packages there.

As Excalibur said, the Slack server only allows 25 users at a time, and
people, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, don't bring the server down by
25 people all downloading the entire 2GB at once! Find a mirror that is
up to date. The Last time I checked (which was a while ago), there were
several that allowed rsyncs and the "get slackware-current.tar" command.
Don't forget to check your md5sums no matter where you download the
files.

Moses, I am not familiar with the "get slackware-current.tar" command. Could you please elaborate.

Excalibur

It's server dependent, but some FTP servers will tar up the directory tree for
you and transfer the entire tree under (for example) slackware-current. . .

Updates or upgrades
 

I have Slackware 8.1 on my system at the present time and I also had someone burn me a set of Slackware 9.0-current CDs. I'd like to try running either a full or a selective upgrade from 8.1 to Slackware current (instead of just installing Slackware current).

Do you ever do it that way? Have you had experiences on that? Are there a set of steps anywhere as easy as the 4 step CD burn you just suggested?

I've heard of using the pkg tools but outside of a setup installation, I really haven't experimented with them much at all. Was wondering if you have, and if so, your impressions and suggestions?