hi
as i'm studing and reading more about linux and of course linux distors, i found many many pro linux users uses slackware and approve it.

unfortunately i never use is.
i'm not new in computer, sure new in linux world, but not in computer.

1- is it possible to use slackware as sever and workstation?
2- is it suitable for programmers?
3- what is main advantage of slackware?
4- i'm using Fedora 9 now for programming and networking, is it not better to use slackware?
5- how while a new versoin will release? 9is it a right question?!)

tanx all

1. Yes.
2. Yes.
3. Many advantages. Speed, security, stability to name a few. It is a very well-designed distro.
4. Depends on your needs. You might like Slackware.
5. Patrick will release the next version of Slackware when it is ready. Slackware 12.1 was released on May 2, 2008.

There is no "best" distribution---the best one for you might simply be the last one you try.

Any distro can be used as a server and can support programming (development)

One of the main arguments presented for Slackware is that it does not by default take care of dependencies when installing new SW. I find this to be an annoyance, and frankly fail to see any benefit. Most modern package manager will tell you everything they are going to install when you request an application. You clearly then have the option of not installing.

I DO like many things about Slackware.

Slackware just went to version 12---I don't think a newer version is coming soon (You could check the dates on previous versions to see the pattern.)

I'm also a beginner in linux world and recently using slack12... people will tell really good things about it, but as a beginner like you I can also tell you, if you want to LEARN linux slack is a very suitable option.

The fact that it doesnt have lots of wizards and automatic things may be annoying at first, but later you will see that it has a point in there.

As you said, you're not a begginer in computing and you are a programmer I would recommend what others may do: try it. Then see if you like it or not.

That's quite the same with any other distro, just try, it's like food, you cannot really know if you like or not if you don't try.

Hope I could help, Skuzye

Depends upon the end-user's perspective. One person's treasure is another person's poison, etc., etc.

Slackware installs as a complete operating system but with little end-user customization. Outside the Xfce and KDE environments there are no point-and-click configuration tools. For many people who are uninterested in tweaking a system, this usually is a disadvantage.

Those folks who tend to stick with Slackware eventually find this lack of end-user customization an advantage because they also tend to be do-it-yourself (DIY) types who want to customize their system to their way of thinking, not the way some developer thinks.

For the DIY types, starting with a foundational operating system and then building that environment to taste is an attraction.

If you enjoy tinkering at all levels of a computer operating system then Slackware might be a good option for you. If you are inexperienced with tinkering at all levels but want to learn, then Slackware might be for you. If you dislike how developers try to outguess you with designing an operating system, then Slackware might be for you.

If you want to treat your computer as another household appliance, then Slackware is not for you. If tinkering under the hood is not your cup of tea then Slackware is not for you.

Like most GNU/Linux distros, Slackware satisfies a specific niche. Nothing more, nothing less.

For myself, my early days with Slackware was a love-hate relationship. That is fairly evident throughout my web site. Being new to GNU/Linux I wanted more hand-holding, which Slackware does not provide. Yet I could never pull myself away from the fact that I was free to build Slackware into an operating system that I wanted and not what someone else wanted. I still have my days when Slackware frustrates me, but after several years I have Slackware tuned close to what I want. I continue to tune and tweak every day and nothing stops me. I can't imagine a better example of freedom.

my biggest problem with microsoft windows product and specially vista windows is, developers think for me and decide what is better for me!
we should use computer as they want or think it's better! i hate this!
i think slackware will bi a good choose for me.now i'm using opensuse. but as soon as possible i will switch to slackware!

but lack of gnome!
i love gnome

hello , for you use gnome on slackware , you have this choices to install on slack: GSB (GNOME SlackBuild ) , GnomeSlacky, GWARE and droplinegnome.

Lack of gnome is the biggest issue with Slackware for a lot of users. As the regulars here know, I mostly use Window Maker anyway, but there are times when having gnome available would be nice.

Although there's GSB, I'm put off a little by the fact they use slaptget as a distribution/install method. And I'm also a little weary of getting such a major component from a 3rd party.

Now, I can understand that Pat doesn't have time to build gnome, but what would really be cool would be if he sub-contracted the gnome build to someone like the GSB guys, but included it as an official part of a Slackware release as a GSB-Gnome disk-set.