Hi All,

I am currently using slackware 12 on my laptop, but would like to install Linux on my sons PC. I was wondering whether to give ZenWalk a shot, as I know it is based on Slackware but is more 'lightweight'?!?

Presumable things like ndiswrapper is supported in ZW, what about the automounting of USB and CD's like in slackware 12?

Do you have commands like pkgtool that are used in slackware or are they completely replaced by ZW own package management?

How does installing extra software work? Do I download a package like with slackware and install it (I know you can install some slackware packages) or do I use repositories like with ubuntu? Do the repositories contain a lot of software, or am I likely to be hunting software down/compiling from source?

I presume KDE doesn't come on the install disc, but can be installed later if required?

I understand that ZW has only one package for one task, does that mean only one email client, only one shell (bash?), one browser, one file manager? What if I don't like the defaults, I realise I can install my own choice but can I uninstall the one I wouldn't use?

Sorry for all the questions

Stuart

Have you tried the Zenwalk Manual or the Zenwalk Wiki?

http://support.zenwalk.org/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=15971

Zenwalk will do what you want. It is more 'pure' than many Slack derivatives.

I've been through the Slackware wringer and am now evaluating Zenwalk on my HP laptop. (Also considering Arch).

Some general comments:
1. You are not resticted with any distro to use the SW that comes with it. eg, regardless of distro, you can install as many different e-mail client, web browsers, word processors, etc. as you HD will hold.

2. Subject to the same HD limitations, you can install ALL of the various desktops, window managers, etc. and select which ones you use with the login/display manager--eg XDM, GDM, KDM, etc.

3. Things like NDISwrapper can be used on any Linux (subject of course to certain dependendiencies and maybe a current kernel.