I am going to be installing the latest version of Slackware. I have not installed anything but Debian, CentOS, and RHEL 4/5 in the past couple of years. I decided to give Slackware a try. I can get the disk partioned which appears to be the part that stumps most newbies however I am wondering if there is a way to do a minimal basic install and grab fresh packages from the web rather than dated stuff off the DVD ISO.

Do you guys have any suggestions on if this is even possible in Slackware to do some kind of "netinst" as Debian refers to it. It basically loads bare files and then grabs all the packages and dependencies from repo's on the web leaving me with a updated fresh install.

Welcome to the LQ Slackware forum. Slackware 12.1 is still very new, it is one month old, so there are not a lot of new packages yet (the distro isn't that dated yet). If you have the disk space the easiest way to install slack would be to do a full install (use CDs 1-3), that will use 4+ GB. To update your unit you will go to the Slackware website and download the security updates you want (there are about 5 or 6).

Thanks. I have the DVD and really want to avoid doing a full install. Something about installing 100's of packages I might never use seems very disturbing for me. I rather have a bare minimal install and install packages I need and don't have.

I will try this and see how it works out.

Okay. I know what you mean about having a lot of stuff that you don't need:-) When you fire-up the installer you can pick-and-choose what you want instead of a full install. Have fun, man:-)

http://www.slackbook.org/html/instal...p.html#AEN1062

Thanks. I installed it & found Slackware just far too dated for my liking. It was fun installing however...back on Debian

Far too dated????????? Compared to Dubious Wretch - sorry, Debian Etch - Slackware 12.1 is positively futuristic.

Why was I not able to find Grub? I saw LILO which frightened me but no Grub boot manager...???

Please look in to extras directory from the DVD/cd install.

Dated? WTF? Slackware has more cutting edge software than Debian.

Was not trying to start a AOL acronym war guys. I like Slackware - just not use to Fluxbox is what I have learned...

How do I look in this directory while I am knee deep in the installer. I just selected what was available during the "setup" and only thing I saw was LILO.

Grub is in one of the early directories (I forget which). Slackware is very much a distro for people who want to do it all for themselves - to choose when and what to update and what they want to install from the get go. It's not for everyone.

KDE is on the DVD, by the way, and is installable. Anyway, you tried it and didn't like it - your choice, your OS.

I absolutely agree. While I personally can't see myself using anything BUT Slackware from now on... it definitely isn't for everyone. If Slackware just isn't your cup of tea, it certainly doesn't reflect negatively on you. Have fun with whatever distro you choose! That's what matters.

Hi,
You can always install 'grub' after you install Slackware. Just don't install 'lilo', you are given that option.

As stated you will find '/extra/grub' on the dvd or cd3. Be sure to read the grub README.