Slackware
Slackware is the oldest, still maintained Linux distribution. The first version was released on July 13th, 1993. Slackware's motto is "because it works" and it is devoted to the "keep it simple" principle. Distro for advanced users who demand control and are not afraid of the command line.
Pic 1. Slackware - random desktop
Simplicity and stability
Slackware distribution is like traditional UNIX systems. Directories hierarchy is classic, there is /opt directory where e.g. KDE files are placed if this environment is installed. Contrary to other popular distributions like Mandriva, openSUSE or Ubuntu, Slackware has original vanilla (non-patched) kernel. Thus, downloading a kernel from kernel.org and recompiling it does not decrease the functionality.
The distribution does not have a graphical installer (but its text installer (ncurses-based) is very intuitive and should not cause any troubles). There are no graphical configuration wizards (like Novell's YaST), as well. There are only a few text wizards for the most basic system routines (package installation, graphical environment selection, etc).
There are two Slackware lines: stable and current. Current version sometimes gets frozen and transforms to stable one after a few testing releases (beta versions, release candidates). Each stable edition has its own number (for example: 10.2). The current line is not versioned. Stable versions are great for servers and conservative desktops. Current can be used on desktops by users who want to have quite up-to-date (but sometimes buggy) software.
Package system
Slackware's package management system is based on the simple tgz packages which do not contain any information about dependencies. User has to install manually all required libraries and programs. The lack of the dependencies management is often mentioned as a Slackware weakness but it solves another problem — dependency hell. This feature is valued by experienced users which are the main Slackware auditorium. Package managements systems (like rpm or dpkg) are far from perfect and sometimes can make troubles like redundant dependencies, missing dependencies, circular dependencies and package conflicts.
There are some simple tools for tgz package management:
installpkg(installs package),removepkg(removes package),upgradepkg(updates package),makepkg(creates package from current directory content),explodepkg(extracts package to current directory).
There is also rpm package manager (slackware/ap) for Slackware. However it is necessary to install all dependencies manually and use syntax rpm -ivh --nodeps --force package.rpm to install a program. This allows for example to install Skype using the rpm package for openSUSE distribution. rpm2tgz converter enables to convert rpm packages to tgz format. The text frontend called pkgtool is a supplement that helps to install and remove tgz packages in easy way (it also does not recognize dependencies).
Swaret, slapt-get and other prostheses...
One of the biggest Slackware disadvantages is small number of original (vanilla) packages. Additional unofficial packages can be found on LinuxPackages and Slacky.it These packages are in extended tgz format — so that they can contain meta-information about dependencies (but unfortunately in each case). There are two programs that can use this information: swaret and slapt-get (together with graphical frontend GSlapt).
Swaret recognizes only necessary libraries (not programs) but works with original vanilla Slackware packages and extended tgz packages.
Slapt-get recognizes libraries and as well as regular applications when it searches for dependencies. Unfortunately such mode of processing (libraries and programs) is available only for extended tgz packages (with information about dependencies), vanilla packages do not contain such information.
Many additional tools has been designed to improve Slackware package management — from tiny scripts to full ports systems (Emerde, pkgsrc, Portpkg). Some tools are mentioned in the External Slackware resources | Package Management section.
External Slackware resources
- Official Slackware website
- Slackware Security Advisories
- Description on Wikipedia
- Slackware@DistroWatch
- Unofficial History of Slackware releases
- Slackware Advocacy
News
Documentation, guides and tips
- Slackbook — official Slackware guide
- Unofficial guides: Slackware Handbook and Slackware Linux Basics
- Installing Slackware Linux — detailed installation instruction
- #slackware FAQ
- The Slackware Linux Stuff
- The Slack World
- Slackware 10.2 Tips
- Slackware Tips & Tricks by Jack S. Lai
- Slackware's init
- Tips for Slackware users
- Slack Wiki
- Alien's Wiki
- Slackware 11 — Introduction
- The Perfect Desktop — Slackware 12
Package Management
- A look at Slackware's package utilities
- swaret, Updating Slackware using Swaret
- slapt-get and graphical frontend GSlapt
- slackpkg
- SlackUpdate
- Emerde — ports collection from Gentoo
- Portpkg — ports collection designed specially for Slackware
- pkgsrc — ports collection from NetBSD and Slackware howto
- Smart Package Manager — metamanager which supports tgz packages
- Stratdate Package Manager
- pkgtools-ng
- Beton Development ToolKit
- slackpkg
- XPKGTOOL
- SlackMan
- slacktool
- slackmatic
- Kslackcheck
- spkg
- SlackRoll
- QTGZManager
- CheckInstall, CLI Magic: CheckInstall
- List of official Slackware packages
Software — unofficial packages
- LinuxPackages, Slacky.it (Italian) — packages with metainformation designed for swaret and slapt-get.
- GNOME for Slackware: GWARE, Freerock, dropline
- AppArmor for Slackware Linux
Help, forums, community
- userlocal — Forum Slackware
- Slackware Help Forum
- LinuxPackages forum
- Slackware subforums: Forums.OSDir.com, Linux Forums, LinuxQuestions
- mailing lists, unofficial mailing lists
- Usenet:
alt.os.linux.slackwareand FAQ
Derivative works and LiveCD
- mainframe ESA/390 Slackware port
- Open Community Slack Install Dvd
- LiveCD: SLAX, GoblinX, WolviX, Mutagenix, Nonux, SLAMPP, ZenLive, Ultima Linux
- HDD: Ultima Linux, Zenwalk, VectorLinux, Frugalware, Frugalware, Bluewhite64, Slamd64
- The full list of Slackware based distributions
Reviews
- 12.1: www.techiemoe.com, distrowatch.com
- 12.0: adventuresinopensource.blogspot.com, www.itwire.com.au, www.linux.com, www.tuxmachines.org, shiftbackspace.com, xlayn.blogspot.com, circolinux.blogspot.com
- 11.0: theWeeklyRant.com, Linux.com, Open Addict, Linux Online, All About Linux
- 10.2: Mad Penguin, tuxmachines, LWN, NewsForge, Linux.com
Interviews
- The Linux distribution that's always in the black
- Interview with Patrick Volkerding
- Replies from Slackware Founder Patrick Volkerding
Download
- 12: ISO DVD and MD5 control sum
- Official mirrors
- Torrents
- Slackware Mirrors
- Unofficial current ISO images: 1, 2
Screenshots
- 12.0: www.tuxmachines.org
- 11.0: OSDir.com
- 10.2: Softpedia, OSDir.com
- Slackware screenshots from Lynucs.org
- The Slackware Gallery
- Slackware Art Gallery
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21 Comments
- A hyperlink: <a href="polishlinux.org">GNU/Linux for everyone!</a>,
- Strong text: <strong>Strong text</strong>,
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Hi!
All said and done, once you have used Slackware, it is not likely that you will think of trying any other distro. Even if you try, you will most certainly come back to Slackware. It is addictive because the control it gives you.
Your “Info” claims that Slackware’s Desktop is “None” This is incorrect. During installation you can choose between KDE, XFCE, Fluxbox, Blackbox, WindowMaker, Fvwm2, or Tab WM.
@Truthfatal: of course it was meant as “none as default”, not “none at all”. Anyway, I removed the entry since it may have been confusing.
By the way, stay tuned since a new, way more comprehensive Slackware description will be available soon.
@michuk
http://flyspray.musielak.eu/task/26
“No good package management tools, no dependency resolving in pkgtool”
What?! Slackware has lots of good package management tools. Ever heard of swaret, slackpkg, or slapt-get? I’m also of the opinion that “no dependency resolving” is a good thing.
hiredgoon write “I’m also of the opinion that “no dependency resolving” is a good thing.”
I completely agree! This way, you’ll be able to actually know what are the dependencies yourself and be able to learn from it. It’s a good thing to really force yourself to ready manuals, forums.. etc — which is a MUST attitude for every Linux geeks. Right?
Slackware teaches you how to use *Linux* — not how to use a more advanced, but less universal tool-set, that is distro-specific.
I recommend *buntu for people who “Just want Linux”, and Slackware to everyone else.
I agree, Slackware teaches you how to use Linux. It’s my favorite distro since ‘95 (slackware 0.9something
Tried many (and I mean MANY!) other Linuxes in that time, and when frustrated, return to Slack.
My school server is Slackware 8 - think is’t time to upgrade?
Does anyone knows where I can get the wallpaper in the black screenshot??
http://polishlinux.org/stuff/screenshots/slackware/slackware_largo3_thumb.png
Vic.
@Victor
Ask largo3:
dzierzkowski[at]gmail.com
largo3[at]jabber.org
@Victor
You can also check largo3 wallpapers: http://largo3.selfip.net/rzeczy/index.php?path=tapety/
[…] TGZ: 被 Slackware Frugalware, KateOS Arch Linux以及大部分Linux系统所支持的传统安装包， […]
Greetings -
As a dedicated slackware user since the first cd release. It is my humble opinion, that cutting ones teeth on slack, will enable a person an advantage with other *nix operating systems in the future. If a person just needs an os to cruise the net, send - receive virii, er e-mail, microsoft windows is the os to use. Boot it up in the morn and it will run for hours.
Anyway, sorry to flame uncle bill. Slack will allow you to compile the specific drivers for your particular machine, without having drivers for every periphial in the world. N’ertheless, slack is a solid os if you need stability.
Peace.
Although I’m using linux for many years now (you name a distro and I tried it), I did install Slackware just 2 years ago.
I never gave Slackware a change before, because of the myth -you read on the net- that it is hard to handle.
In my opinion, any linux user with 1 year experiance can handle Slackware.
What can you expect when you install Slackware? You’ll get a honest and stable parner! Not a pretty one (only 850 packages) but very reliable.
If you want to life dangerous, choose a linux version with a rpm package management system. By deleting one package, you can destroy your whole installation!
I love Slackware, maybe because i am a simple guy.
This is an excellent “all in one Slack site”. I just want to add another resource for the Slack users: GNU/QTGZManager - Your GUI to pkgtools. It’s a project I am working on since last year - a Qt4 interface to pkgtools, meant for organizing/managing your package collection. Now it’s pretty mature, in Beta3. It really worths a chance. Thank you!
Sorry, I do not know why but the link has been written wrong. Here is it: “http://jtgzmanager.sf.net”. You can also click over my name.
Added.
Hi,
I would like to point out one thing: Beton Development Toolkit have new project site: http://bdtk.sourceforge.net/
Please change link in article
Best Regards
difrost
Done.
The Perfect Desktop — Slackware-12.0
Howtoforge now have as part of their “Perfect Desktop” series, an in depth tutorial on how to set up a Slackware-12.0 desktop. The tutorial starts with installing/configuring the operating system and covers the many ways of installing various software. Even though this 12 page tutorial is targeted at those new to Slackware or with limited Linux experience, it is very thorough and may well teach even the most seasoned Slacker a new trick or two.
http://www.howtoforge.com/the_perfect_desktop_slackware12
Done. Thanks.