slackware

[vhg119]

I recently decided that i want to try slackware.. which iso's do i need?
i'm downloading install.iso right now. do i need the contrib.iso too?

prepare for a ton of questions when i'm done d/l it http://www.linuxnewbie.org/ubb/smile.gif
vince

[X_console]

No, the contrib.iso is optional. It's just popular software that hasn't been deemed stable enough to be included in the actual distribution. It's all in .tgz Slackware format, and you could just download the individual packages off the Net anyway. http://www.linuxnewbie.org/ubb/smile.gif

[vhg119]

ok thanx.
I hope it isn't as hard as i expect it to be, the installation that is.

[Wonock]

Na, the instalation is pretty simple, though diffrent than most other distros that use the X type installs. It is menu based. I thought it was going to be tough to install when I first tried it but it isn't :-).

Wonock

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Not everyone can be right
But everyone will decide!
-Face To Face

[vhg119]

so what's so different about it from other distro's? just the tools? are there any tools? (linuxconf.. netcfg.. stuff like that)
also, i heard that slack uses bsd init instead of sysv init. what's the difference?

[vhg119]

oh yeah. i have another question.
what kind of packaging system does slack use?

[mangeli]

Originally posted by vhg119:
oh yeah. i have another question.
what kind of packaging system does slack use?

Slack uses slack packages (Tar balls on speed) as well as rpms and regular tar.gz files.

I'm working on developing a Slackware help site, if you're interested in helping let me know.
(If your not, check it out anyways, there's other good stuff there too...)


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http://www.tinyminds.f2s.com

[toolie]

The installation is amazingly simple. Just start in order, from the top, and go down the list. People think its hard because you have to touch the keyboard (the mouse doesn't work to install), it has no pretty pictures, just an amazing amount of information to setup your system *HOW YOU WANT*, not how some other guy who doesn't know you wants.

What makes it different? The goals of the project - to create a 1) secure, 2) stable, 3) and easy distribution for everybody. Yeah, thats right - ease of use is an actual goal. So is stability and security. Notice how profit isn't in there? Where do the other distros rate as far as stability (RH7.0 comes to mind).

The maintainers make Slack different. There are only four. Stark contrast with Debians 5000 (or whatever it is now). The best part is Patrick (the guy who started Slack), he is still the leader of the project. He is the *only* person who can decide if a program is stable enough to be included in the distro. Kinda makes a nice Quality Assurance program. The maintainers are also active in the Slack Phorum (at http://www.slackware.com/forum - which is down right now http://www.linuxnewbie.org/ubb/frown.gif).

There is netcfg - the setup program runs it automagically for you. There is no linuxconf. The Slack maintainers don't want anything getting between the admin and the system. You get to edit files (which is actually quicker and easier when you know how to do it).

The BSD init is awesome. Everything is really easy to understand, all right in /etc/rc.d - no trying to figure out which subdirectory for which runlevel. Its hella easier than SysV, but if you prefer SysV, Slack supports that also.

[vhg119]

if by helping, you mean posting questions, sure no prob http://www.linuxnewbie.org/ubb/smile.gif
or i could do a link on "How I switched from redhat (and mandrake) to slack"
I'll help in any way i can.
vince

[mangeli]

Originally posted by vhg119:
if by helping, you mean posting questions, sure no prob http://www.linuxnewbie.org/ubb/smile.gif
or i could do a link on "How I switched from redhat (and mandrake) to slack"
I'll help in any way i can.
vince




Thats what I'm looking for.

I'm working on several how-to's for the site, including a quick and easy LILO one as well as an upgrading Gnome how-to.... anything you'd like to do would be great.

Mark


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http://www.tinyminds.f2s.com

[ph34r]

Yay, more Slack NHF's! Ya know, LNOLinux was gonna be based on Slack....

[larryliberty]

I'd also like to help. I just read some guy the riot act about security so maybe I could do something on that.

Oh, and ph34r, the only thing better than a LNO distro based on Slack would be a LNO distro based on LFS.

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Democracy: Two wolves and a lamb deciding what to have for dinner.
Constitutional Republic: Same as above, but lamb's not on the menu (unless the wolves are really hungry).

[Strike]

Originally posted by larryliberty:
Oh, and ph34r, the only thing better than a LNO distro based on Slack would be a LNO distro based on LFS.

Heh, I wish you were around when we were voting... LFS lost to Slack as a choice for the base.