I'm thinking about trying it. Is it hard to install?

Also, like some distros use rpm's...some use debs, what does slackware use?

Thanks.

Slackware uses .tgz packages.

Look at the slackbook on the slackware site or at the unofficial slackbook http://slackbook.yoshiwara.org.uk on how to use the package tools, and on how to get around on your slackware system.

On the 'hard to install' part... well.. If you've used linux before, then it may not be that hard. It has no X install-gui, but you don't need that anyway. The hardest part for a newbie may be the partitioning if you need to do that.

I like slack, it was the first I ever installed, and whenever I try something else, I always seem to get back to slack eventually. It is rocksolid, fast, and you keep the feeling YOU are in control of the system.

Maybe harder to manage at first. But hard isn't always a bad thing.
If you want to learn... go slack.

I feel it is very easy to install Slackware. As long as you don't depend on GUIs with point and click interfaces to be able to use a computer. If you do, you should avoid Linux in the first place.

Slackware uses .tgz packages. You use the "installpkg" command with them. Not as powerful as RPM, but very efficient and to the point, like most everything else in Slackware.

if you know how to use the aarow and enter keys on your keyboard your most of the way there.

slackware install consists of 2 stages;
1. boot and do fdisk so you have a free partition.
2. read the instructions in the installer and answer yes/no questions.

Wow, sounds great.

Thanks .

And I am use to GUI...but I can handle others.

I'm looking into linux to learn, so slack seems like a good start.

Thanks.

The key to Slackware is, willingness to learn and get your hands dirty.

It is as hard as you think it is.

I was new to Linux, tried, SUSE, Red Hat and then Slackware. The first two don't make sense to me at that time. Slackware DID.

Dude - Slackware is no harder or easier to install that any other Linux distro. Honestly, I have no idea how it got the rep that it's "hard to install" or any other such nonsense. It isn't. The only difference as far as I'm concerned between installing Slack and installing, say, Redhat, is that Slack uses fairly primitive looking menus, while Redhat, et al, uses very pretty graphics. That's it. Give it a shot and don't worry about being intimidated. If you do install Slack, I'll bet at the end of it you'd ask "Huh??? Is that all there is to it? Where's all the complicated stuff I keep hearing about??? Oh, there isn't any?? Nevermind." Seriously, Slack rocks. Check it out. -- J.W.

Not hard at all. I just did it myself. But theres no flashing/glowing fancy windows, popup screens. Make sure you don't blindly click on buttons thinking it would do what you think it will. Read onscreen instructions.

I started with slackware, and never left. Tried once or twice others, but since I needed something stable, and saw the least amount of hacks/scripts against slackware, it is where I stay. I know little about linux, but can keep my machine going and as a good server.. My uptimes change only when I loose power. I love it compaired to mandrake or redhat. I am oldskool, I prefer to type my commands and see what is actually happening... But I do have X installed.