If Slackware disappeared tomorrow, what would you run?

frostknave · 06-22-2010, 05:05 PM

FreeBSD, I think. I've used other Linux distros, and I always come back to Slack. I'm not sure I could be happy running a Linux, knowing it wasn't Slack (although it might be an interesting, if somewhat painful, experience, to try to make an Ubuntu box that looks and feels as much like a Slackware default install as possible). FreeBSD is not Linux, but it is allegedly Slack-like enough that maybe I'd feel at "home." (OK, for the record, this poll will probably cause me nightmares: a world without Slack?!? Nooooo!!!)

pr_deltoid · 06-22-2010, 05:22 PM

I voted for Arch. I've tried FreeBSD and it's not my thing really. I wouldn't mind getting some more experience with it in the future, but after using it and reading about it for just a short time I decided it's not what I wanted.

mats_b_tegner · 06-22-2010, 05:40 PM

I would still run Slackware 13.1. Aren't these polls kinda silly? However, *if* Slackware would disappear I would open a bottle of whisky and say: Here's to you Patrick... and remember the fun times I had with Slackware.

foodown · 06-22-2010, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Intel_

Maybe Debian, but do you think that Slackware will disappear? Many people says that this is one man show and will die...

Who are these "many people?"

No, I do not think that Slackware will disappear any time soon.

For the record, if Pat chose to stop putting out the slack for whatever reason, and the "Slackware team" didn't take up the mantle, I'm sure you'd see lots of forks. Heck, if nobody else did it, or didn't do it well, I'd gather up some others and do a fork.

gauchao · 06-22-2010, 06:37 PM

I would still go on using the latest stable slackware; I am sure it would be the safest and the most stable OS for a long way.

dc_eros · 06-22-2010, 07:04 PM

If slackware disappeared, I still have my -current, otherwise Cygwin on WinXP

zbreaker · 06-22-2010, 08:34 PM

Arch or Debian Sid--50/50 chance of either.

Lufbery · 06-22-2010, 08:36 PM

I posted this elsewhere today, but it's appropriate here too. One of these days I'm going to get around to building and maintaining my own GNU/Linux system -- mostly so I can learn what goes on. So I'd go with DIY Linux or Linux From Scratch. I like the idea of using Slackware's package tools, so I'd probably do that with my build (like Jong did with Jaguar Linux) but I'm intrigued by the idea of using users and groups to manage packages as explained in this LFS hint. I also like the idea of using BSD init scripts, like Slackware. LFS has a hint for that too.

In short, I'd basically recreate Slackware from scratch.

Anonymo · 06-22-2010, 08:39 PM

damgar · 06-22-2010, 08:59 PM

I find Arch interesting and sometime will probably play with it. It looks to have a very intrepid community which appeals to me also. When I find a little more time, I would like to continue my LFS system through BLFS.

dive · 06-22-2010, 08:59 PM

I think there are enough folk around to make sure that the distro won't just disappear. It's a fun and interesting poll though, so yeah I voted freebsd. I haven't really tried Arch yet though, so seeing how the poll is going I might have to do that soon. I quite like CentOS when I played with it (cli only though). So long as I find something with the simplicity and straightforward design of slack I would be happy. And I guess availability of apps is also useful

trxdraxon · 06-22-2010, 11:46 PM

On my server's I would go with freebsd. On my desktop I would break down and finally buy a macbook pro or just stick with mint.

foodown · 06-23-2010, 12:51 AM

I think that a lot of slackers fail to understand FreeBSD.
Freebie takes a minimalist approach. Unlike Slackware, which aims for an initial install to be both a usable desktop and a formidable server, FreeBSD aims only for the later. Outside of this, the two are quite close in design.

This is an excellent guide on setting up freebie as a desktop:
http://rhyous.com/2009/12/18/how-to-...-xorg-and-kde/

Slackers who have not bitten down and dug in to a FreeBSD system will be shocked just how scary close it is to the Linux disto that we all know and love. In fact, a system set up like this article suggests would probably be more comfortable and "homey" to an experienced Slackware user than a Debian or RHEL system.

H_TeXMeX_H · 06-23-2010, 04:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foodown

Who are these "many people?"

No, I do not think that Slackware will disappear any time soon.

For the record, if Pat chose to stop putting out the slack for whatever reason, and the "Slackware team" didn't take up the mantle, I'm sure you'd see lots of forks. Heck, if nobody else did it, or didn't do it well, I'd gather up some others and do a fork.

I would also help out. But, I doubt it will disappear.

Also that quote is a good example of proper use of weasel words.

hitest · 06-23-2010, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foodown

I think that a lot of slackers fail to understand FreeBSD.
Freebie takes a minimalist approach. Unlike Slackware, which aims for an initial install to be both a usable desktop and a formidable server, FreeBSD aims only for the later. Outside of this, the two are quite close in design.

I've been a FreeBSD user since 5.x. I recently quit using FreeBSD at 8.0. I'm not sure what you mean here. FreeBSD can be both a desktop and a server. It is quite simple to use sysinstall in FreeBSD to set-up a working desktop with pkg_add using the FreeBSD 8.0 DVD. Sysinstall does not compell you to opt for a server install.
I'm not defending FreeBSD mind you as I don't particularly like the BSDs anymore. Hence my choice of Arch or Debian in this poll.