I'm new to Linux. I dabbled on an old computer with a Knoppix cd, but I don't know where I want to start in Linux. I've drawn up some "evolution" plans in my head, like go from mandrake to gentoo to whatever to whatever to whatever until I arrived at Slackware.

But, I dunno, I think it would be much more benefictial if I just started at Slackware. I'm willing to sit down and try to figure the damn thing out (as long as there's a forum I can get help on, and I noticed a rather good one for Slackware here).

So? Should I?

And if I should... Should I shelled out the 40 bucks and get the CD with the installation manual (I'm gonna need it), or should I run blind with just downloading the ISO or whatever they're offering for download?

Thanks,
Grenadier.

You don't really need the manuals... at least I wouldn't think so.
Just boot the img (.iso) and run with it.

It's pretty darn cut and dry. I recommend installing everything.(if u have the space) That way you don't miss anything, and you can always add/remove later on.

Although, if you are just starting, and you start with Slack, you'll be spoiled right off. ::

I just switched from Mandrake and I wish I had started with Slack... It seems more of a departure from Windows and more compatible with most of the general advice you see about configuration and general layout than Mandrake. You don't need the intermediate distro. Be prepared for problems and you should be pleasantly surprised. Definitely right for you if, as you say, you're prepared to learn it.

Keep in mind this advice is coming from a 4 day Slack user.

No need for manuals, but buy it if you like it! Support the "freeness" factor by paying voluntarily!

I started with Redhat 8 (installed everything), upgraded it to 9, and then switched to slackware. Redhat was nice to introduce me to some of the basics without being too much of a headache to understand. But in the end I felt it was too bogged down (partly because I installed everything). I would recommend installing only one of the two window managers at a time, because otherwise they kind of mix up with each other... personal opinion. I'm using KDE 3.2 right now and it rocks!

A good utility to get is swaret. It's a command-based program that updates slackware -really- nicely.

To support the slackware project you can shell out the money, but I've never used the book so I can't comment on that.

Slackware is King, IMO. I'm a fairly recent convert to slack having used mandrake ad Red Hat in the past. Slackware has been no mess, no fuss.

An installation manual isn't really required, but you could check out THIS, it was all I needed to know what to do.

Once you go Slack, You never go Back!

I never used a linux distro before slack, but I have used unix before so it was easy to pick up on slack.

I found the book on their website very helpful when installing the OS. You can find it here:

http://www.slackware.com/book/

Slack rocks.. have fun. I went through Mandrake to Redhat to Debian to Knoppix to slack. I won't ever go back.

The great part about linux is you can dabble by having multiple distros running. I've checked out VectorLinux (based on slack) and some other small distros (EvilEntity).

Definately, Definately shell out the bucks to Patrick and the folks who develop Slack. Without them, we wouldn't have such a great distro. Either pay the $40 for 9.1, or do a pre-order for 9.2 (although really you can upgrade to 9.2 whenever it comes out with swaret and don't really need the CDs).

do it; but as was said, you will be ruined for the other distros(except perhaps as an intellectual or hobby interest)-slack is linux, plain and simple. the setup is straightforward and nothing gets in the way of your configuration moves or your alterations-stick things in, pull things out-no problem. the install is not a hassle-full is probably best the first time around, then when you get a feel for what you need and what you want to do, you can save your data in a /home partition and do an expert install of a premium system. get the cds, it's the best buy out there at 40 bucks-i've got three sets now and they've all been useful and still are(i've got extra live disks to lend out and i can dig up software pkgs-it's the way to go. good luck, you're gonna like it.