hi
I'm a windows user and want to learn linux. I dont know anything about linux and programming and recently rode some good article about power and stability of slackware, but also steep learning curve of this distro. someone advice me about using salix, slackel, vector, zenwalk and other slackware originated distros because of their simplicity. but i don't know which of these distros are suitable and has all of the slakware benefits. please advice me

i would say try them one by one and you decide which one is more suitable for you
we all have our own preferences and this might be different one to another

if you prefer old, good DOS times, norton commander and so on, i'd say - go on pure slackware. it is a very good. i personally in 2000 go from win -world to slackware, and be a happy with choosing slackware.

If you only know Windows and have little experience of computer programming you risk to find the Slackware
text-based (but full screen) installation process difficult. My recommendation would be to start with a beginner distribution that has a more Windows-like installer such as Mageia, Mint or Ubuntu that will in particular
take care of the disk partitioning in a more automatic fashion.
Then, with their installer create the following partitions:
Be sure to use the format ext4 for both / and /home. You can then skip installation, shut down the computer
and restart with the Slackware DVD. All you will have to do is use the Setup process installing the default
packages which is easy. Otherwise, you can also install the beginner distributions, play with them for some time,
while you are learning Unix/Linux commands. Once you are familiar enough with Linux, you will be able to reformat
the / partition and install Slackware while preserving all your data in /home.

Been there, done that. Go Slackware!
The only catch is installation: You insert the disc, lines of text follow and bam! A prompt is looking at you and nothing happens. So, please read the Slackbook first. But once you passed partitioning the process is smooth.

I only tried Salix and it is fine and automatic; so my 2nd choice. If you want to "use" Linux instead of learning, Salix is fine.

I did not try other distros you mentioned.


Addition: If you have a 64-bit PC with windows 8 and UEFI, you might find setting up Slackware daunting and trying Mageia or Ubuntu could be better but don't take my word for it as I did not try them.

I've been using Debian for years, then I tried Salix, liked it and still do. With Slackware I started because I wanted to learned how my System works, and that's why I prefer using it instead of any other Distro.

So I would say, if you want to learn, Slackware is excellent. If you prefer a quick start instead of learning, you better go with Salix.

I think that is both an insult to the OP as to the Slackware distribution. If someone took the trouble of researching his options that should qualify him to use Slackware and have a fun experience.
The most heard false truth is that you can only start with Slackware if you are a smart leet hacker. But that is so far from the truth! You only need to have a brain and be willing to use it. Then, even someone with zero Linux knowledge can install Slackware.

Eric

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Go with Slackware, read the documentation and don't be affraid.

Helix fossil shall guide you

I think the Slackware installer is pretty straight-forward, it's easier to install than, say, Gentoo or CRUX, where you have to compile your own kernel, or Arch linux, which has a new command-line based installer (though if following the Beginner's Guide it should be pretty easy too). If possible, first try Slackware in a virtual machine (VMware, Virtualbox, QEMU etc.) and see how that goes.

Some helpful Slackware-specific documentation:
http://docs.slackware.com/
http://www.slackbook.org/html/book.html

edit: If you want to learn linux (and Slackware does not offer graphical configuration tools), I also recommend learning the command-line, which is an essential part of every unix system. For example, here is an introduction: http://en.flossmanuals.net/command-line/index/

(On Windows, you can also install cygwin and get access to command-line tools.)

So true
when i first tried Slackware back in 2005, i had no idea of Slackware and i just followed the instructions on screen and it worked for me. The instructions are all there...
All you need is to carefully read the instructions

And what does having skill in computer programming language have to do with installing Slackware Linux?

Also, the OP stated that he wanted to learn about Slackware and/or it's derivatives, not other Distros that are not based on Slackware.

1 members found this post helpful.

Agreed. Well said, Eric.
If you are patient and you thoroughly read the ample support documentation you will prevail when you install Slackware.
I started with Slackware in 2004(version 10.0). Slackware is my primary operating system.

A lot of good info here and plenty of options and choices were presented. In my opinion I'd say, hey man, just go for it! Install pure Slackware so you can learn and become a more intelligent computer user, using and learning the operating system of the future (i.e. Linux) from the ground up, as it was meant to be learned and used by professionals, dating back to BSD and of coarse pure UNIX, where it all started. If you want to become a true "Linux Man" lol, then Slackware IMO is the ultimate OS, the only way it screws up is through human error.

It's not the easiest but certainly not the most difficult thing and your understanding of your computer and Linux will be astonishing after 6-8 months of running pure Slackware Linux on a daily basis. If you love to learn as I do then I would say that other than LFS, Gentoo (Neither of which are for newbies), ARCH (meh!), and BSD (which will be very easy to learn after using Slackware for a time), Slackware is one of the few OS's that is a truly rewarding experience and puts you back in control of your computer!

I have been a distro hopper for years, having used linux in the 90's, and after coming back to it in 2004(Ubuntu) I have been dare I say sickened by how certain distro's have mimicked Windows and Mac attempting to deface Linux by putting a price and sales pitch on it. This is my 2 cents, With Windows and Mac your just looking in through the glass viewing the tip or surface, never really knowing whats under the hood nor having very much control of it without striping the OS down until your satisfied. With Linux your using a finely tuned machine that you take part in building, maintaining, and contributing to through discussions on forums like this one, attaching you to a community of like minded positive thinkers and developers who appreciate your input, for without it, great OS's like Slackware would cease to exist.

Rest assured when I tell you that you have made a good choice.

Good Luck, Welcome, and Happy Slacking!

Oh and here is a nice step by step guide to get you up and running with a GUI so you can wipe your Windows away :P and have a familiar environment with a web browser to search for help if needed --> http://www.unixmen.com/install-slack...4-1-step-step/

End of Rant

I would say go with Slackware. Be prepared to tear your hair out installing it if you don't read and follow the instructions correctly but once you "get it" you'll find it's pretty straightforward.
The reason I would suggest not using a derivative of Slackware is that, no offence to their developers, they could well have bugs that Slackware proper does not meaning you could be reliant upon a smaller number of users to know their foibles whereas the Slackware user base are very helpful and if you're using "pure" Slackware I would expect you'll likely find more and better documentation.
I have to say that the above is based upon my limited experience of installing Slackware and a a couple of derivatives in VirtualBox and Slackware as dual-boot with Debian. Also, the comments about the installer are more to do with getting into the Linux state of mind and is not a criticism of the Slackware install process in any way.

Go pure Slackware , I just installed it about a month ago and it's not hard at all. I am still tweaking the system as I go along, and whenever I run into an issue or need a "How-to" I usually find the answer here or somewhere on the web. If I can't find a solution I know there are a bunch of great guys here willing to help out. I previously ran and "easier" distro, and I constantly broke it.It was always a pain to get it working again since I didn't stick with their main stream repositories. I haven't broken Slackware yet, which is a personal record. I usually break a system in the first week. The system seems rock solid, GO Slack!!

Yeah Slackware is the best choice. If you need a good installation and quick setup guide the disk has one on it already titled "Slackware-HOWTO". Open it up in Wordpad and print it out. It will serve you well.