My opinion on Slackware 13
 

So I downloaded and installed the new Slackware (32 bit) and I am pretty impressed.
However, there are some things that you should maybe look at.

Pros:
Torrent download was fast. (700kbs-1mbs)
Very nice installation. I love how you can install the packages like 6 different ways.
You have more options to change or edit the OS/Packages to your likings compared to other Distro's.
Comes with several different Desktop Environments.

Cons:
ISO size is 3.7 gb. You should really look at trying to shrink that. I'm not sure if you have this or no but maybe try to make a smaller version of the ISO that does not include the packages. Then you can just download them from the Slackware FTP once you reach that step in the installation. That will save a lot of time downloading the ISO.
Seems like a lot of people are having problems with KDE. Probably not Slackware's fault though. I actually cannot get audio to work if I'm not logged in as root.


Good and bad:
This is definitely not for 1st time Linux users. To advanced for most people.
The mail messages. They are kinda fun to read, but then it also takes up space on the ISO. :(


Well, that was my 2 cents on Slackware. All in all I would rate it an 8.5/10.... So far...

What does everyone else think?

the ISO size is big because it contains the packages + sources

Some people don't have good Internet connection, so it is unwise to give some packages and the rest is on the Internet (which is taken by other distribution).

About your sound, have you added your user to audio group when you created the account?

That 3.7 GB is the full installation, all the packages included, if you want just the install disk, download :

Slackware 13.0 x86 Install ISO disc 1 (A/AP/D/E/L/N, bootable installer, kernels, testing/, Slackbook) - no more than 500 mb and afterwards install the additional packages you want.

I think your thread is totally pointless. Please resurrect it after you've used Slackware for a while. Bye.

Welcome to the LQ Slackware forum! You need to learn more about Slackware.

Specifically that most users are hardcore fanbois who reject ratings of less than 10/10.

j/k, mostly.

Not all of us are fanboys, but why is the op complaining about the size of the iso? Last time I looked, opensuse was huge. As well as centos. The size of the iso shouldn't matter, the actual os should.

How fast the download is, depends on your own line as well ;-) But have to agree: the download was fast. Yet that's something I would not rate this as something special about the release... just something practical for the impatient ;-)

The installation was smooth, easy as ever. I even went as far as to using LVM, going by the well-written instructions. I am running Slackware-64 bits now. I started around 12:00 today installing, and was done about half an hour later... after that the restoring of the files I used and installing the software to get ready to work was the most time-consuming part, which is no biggie since I anticipated that.

It's a DVD iso image, if size matters (don't go visualizing now!) you're gonna download the individual packages and make your own bootdisk. It's well-described or you download the CD images, excluding the source ones. I see no issue at all with this disksize... in fact, I'm happy to see there's space left for more ;-) And why would you want an iso without packages? As you stated in the pros: the download is fast anyway.

If there's something "bad" to say, it's only that there's no flash support in 64-bit. And another bad thing, as ever with slack: it's rock solid, yet again! :-D

My good and bad:
- It's just as easy/hard as any other Linux, just in different ways maybe, but I am probably biased
- I had to run the nvidia installer, for openGL 3D stuff since KDE started to complain about the lack of that. On top of that, it's the terminal monitor I pretty much need since I don't trust the fan on the card.
- I don't see the mail messages as anything bad... the "space" they take on the iso would only take ... say 0.5 seconds on a 12 baud modem if they were not compressed. Since they are compressed it takes even less...

Yet again, I have to congratulate PV and the team on yet another great release of the only Linux distribution that matters! If I'd have to give a score: 9.5 / 10, just because my computer is still not making coffee out of the box.

I'm being insulted by a Windows user?! jk mostly;-)
I'm equally comfortable using Windows, Slackware, OS X, or FreeBSD.
In my opinion Slackware is the best designed OS out there. :cool:

Oh, but there is! You just have to create the package using /extra/source/flashplayer-plugin and install it. All mozilla-based browsers will be able to us that 64bit flash plugin.

Eric

I think you was precipitated.

ROFL. You got me.

IMHO slackware is the best also. However I run 12.2 and will continue to for a while. To an Ubuntu user, I AM a slackware fanboi. To a slackware 13.0 user, I'm a heel. I was just kidding but some people really are hardcore about linux/slackware.

I think the OP was a decent evaluation although slightly misinformed. It's 64 bit you NEED the large .iso for. However from reading these forums I would have to say the KDE complaint is quite common. 8.5 out of 10 is higher than I would rate ANY windows distro tbh.

Heh-heh, glad you liked my comments:-) Posting from Windows right now:-)

I'm still running Slackware 12.2 on my two aging Plll units. Slackware 12.2 is an awesome release. At some point in the next few weeks I'll get off my butt and upgrade my older units to 13.0, I'll use XFce on those PCs.

I think that you will really like 13.0. Slackware 13.0 is stable, fast, and rock-solid. :cool:

Agreed. Some people are really hardcore about Linux/Slackware. I'm not a Windows hater.

Just download the CDs that you need I think that will be the best option, I just downloaded the DVD because I do a lot of different installs.

I'm happy with 12.2 so will let 13 "age a bit" before giving it a try.
I've had enough frustrating times with the KDE 4 series that I'll continue waiting a bit on it.
Then again when I get around to replacing the vid card on my spare box, I might pop 13 in and give it a look see.
As for my being a fanboi myself,,, I only sound like a 130 lbs Rottweiler protecting his food dish when someone gets within ten feet of my Slack box.
11 feet is ok.
Sorry, but Slack is the only distro I've found that allows me to feel totally free and has earned my complete trust.