After the recent RC1 release, Slackware released 9.0-RC2. Some of the changes include Sendmail security fix, ProFTPD 1.2.8 and BIND 9.2.2 among many others. Glibc will remain at 2.3.1.
Slackware Linux 9.0-rc2 Released
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Eugenia Loli
Ex-programmer, ex-editor in chief at OSNews.com, now a visual artist/filmmaker.
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I cannont wait, I think they have been doing a great job.
Slackware was the first Linux distribution I tried back in 1994 :o)
I consider you lucky, I waited until about 5 months ago to try it out, and I tell you I haven’t consider another distro since, when I was using Red Hat or Mandrake I was constantly looking for something new or better.
It’s a great distro, it may look hard or complex but it’s relatively easy and it’s the only distro I know of that actually just works.
just opened up my box of old stuff… pulled out lets see… slackware 3.4
:oO
think i may give it a whirl :o)
Mine too.
I tried out slackware back in 1996 I think.
Tried SuSE, Mandrake, and RH since then.
I am living off of SuSE 8.1 at work and RH 8 at home.
How is it like working off of Slackware now?
hi there – could you perhaps explain the appeal of slackware over say, mandrake or redhat?
its not a from-source distro… so whats the difference between redhat/mandrake/suse and slackware? is it its package management? is the fact that it only includes stable software … but not as old as debian?
i really would like to know what the entheusiasm is about!
hi there – could you perhaps explain the appeal of slackware over say, mandrake or redhat?
or over Debian and Gentoo…
its not a from-source distro… so whats the difference between redhat/mandrake/suse and slackware? is it its package management? is the fact that it only includes stable software … but not as old as debian?
I’ve only tried Slackware 7.1 and 8, and I must say that I was faaaaaar from impressed. Horrible package management and config file/init script management taken from the worst splatter movie ever known to mankind.
i really would like to know what the entheusiasm is about!
That makes two of us. Luckily I’ve thrown that damn thing out and replaced it with Gentoo instead. Maybe I should check if I have a spare partition left to see if 9.0 has improved.
I don’t really understand the appeal either. I used to think it was pretty cool until I tried Redhat 7.2 for the first time and realized that a distro could actually auto-detect most of my hardware. Not that Redhat was a walk in the park, but it sure ‘just worked’ a helluva lot better than Slackware did
You don’t need a special kernel when you upgrade one you can use the tarballs straight of kernel.org. The rest of the packages are mainly unaltered. You don’t get redhat KDE or SUSE KDE you just get KDE which means that upgradeing is far simpler.
It doesn’t try to second think you and change the options on you.
It’s package manager isn’t retarded and knows that you know better than a piece of software ever could.
It is a simple design and you actually need a brain to use it.
The reason it is so loved is that it is configurable, stable, powerful and doesn’t get in your way when you need to do real work.
Hey… Isn’t the great thing about Linux distro’s right now, is that there are many of them to choose from? Pick the distro that suits you. It might be a good thing right now that there is not ONE distro that tries to suit all Linux users at the same time… Hey… Mind you, some like Lindows, some like Debian… But I’m sure we can all get together can’t we?
Just cause Joe over there thinks BMW’s are nice looking cars, doesn’t mean John likes them too…
But I’m sure you guys all knew that, and were only caught in the hype of this release
.
Is because it’s fast, light, and streamlined. I like how it doesn’t get in my way and tell me what I can or cannot do (Package management). I like how I have total control over my system. I like how everything conforms to set standards and is located where it should.
There’s a lot to love about Slackware, but it all comes down to personal tastes.
>>…. and you actually need a brain to use it. <<
Why a certain group of Linux users feel this is important is beyond all logic. Not that one exists today – but what’s wrong with a powerful yet simple to use OS that doesn’t require much thought of any type to get the job done (talk to the hand mac freaks)? Stop promoting the Linux Elitist Poweruser Myth. Besides if you were truly badass, you’d use OpenBSD
I don’t know if it’s a timing issue or if Slackware just handles older, slower CD-ROM drives badly, but I found that at least on my machine, Slackware’s “sanity check” on packages isn’t so sane. Before installing packages, Slackware’s installpkg runs the tar command with the “tzf” flags on each package. Trouble is, more often than not, tar will complain that the package file is junk, and installpkg will refuse to install the package, even though the package not only checksums, but also untars just fine on other OSs. That means that installpkg fails to install perfectly good packages! Funny thing, installpkg doesn’t have this problem when installing over NFS, only from my CD-ROM.
(Unfortunately, the NFS install failed for a different reason: LILO was being screwy. That, though, seems to be addressed in the ChangeLog for -current.)
This problem seems to have bit me with CollegeLinux as well, probably because their installer uses installpkg, too.
Unfortunately, Slackware doesn’t always just work.
For me, I appreciate the BSD style init.
Slackware is so appealing to me because it does what an os should do…work and stay out of the way.
Its fast, flexible as either a workstation or server, and I find its packaging system simple and effective.
I’ve read comments in this list denouncing everything from horrible rc scripts to describing true “badasses” as only running OpenBSD. Others comment on the inability to autodetect hardware, you should build your own kernel anyway and certainly know what hardware is in your system, or unsupported CD-ROMs (its still a Linux kernel with the same drivers as any other distro). While obviously most every situation is going to differ I’ve installed and used Slackware on everything from home brewed boxes, Dell Optiplex boxes at corporations, dedicated production servers using ide RAID, and even this Compaq laptop. While my experiences have been better than some they have not been without problems. You take the good with the bad, and you smile when you remember that all you did to get this fine piece of work was download it for FREE.
Of course, though, part of being a geek is your ability to be creative, an individual, and the freedom to choose what is right for YOU. Those who have not tried Slackware I encourage you do to do so, and those who have and aren’t impressed to each his own.
Why a certain group of Linux users feel this is important is beyond all logic. Not that one exists today – but what’s wrong with a powerful yet simple to use OS that doesn’t require much thought of any type to get the job done (talk to the hand mac freaks)? Stop promoting the Linux Elitist Poweruser Myth. Besides if you were truly badass, you’d use OpenBSD
So thinking is elitest?
Because the OS is a power tool and should be treated as such not as a toy. It’s like saying why doesn’t a Jumbo 747 have easy controls, why isn’t it easy to use it only flies from point A to B. but the reality is very different it requires thinking and effort none of which seems to be used by most Linux users today.
Sure you can use an easy to use distro but if you actually really need something done your lack of knowledge will stop you. You always hear the complaints of why doesn’t this work, oh no it mangled my system. This doesn’t happen to me because I understand the system, I control it not the OS. Slackware supports this type of philosophy as do others (LFS)
If you don’t want to use your brain then go ahead let the computer control you instead of the other way around.
Why do people insist on believing that just because computers are powerful machines, they MUST be complicated and frustrating to use? I know those of you who like to jerk off while looking at your uptime statistics simply don’t understand the mentality of wanting to just turn on a computer and have it work the first time – every time, wtihout endless hours of dicking with the ‘guts’ of the OS just to keep it from blowing up on you, but some people just don’t have hours upon hours to learn how all of this crap works, nor do they want to.
I’m having trouble finding the iso. The link given in the “article” points to a long list of sites to get slackware. But, I haven’t found the 9.0rcX iso’s.
Anyone got a link?
Darren
No, complexity in order to artificially inflate ones self worth is elitist.
Linux has lots of area’s that are still not easily managed, yet Windows and Mac OS have found ways to incorporate a GUI that works. The Linux Elitist basks in the RTFM mentality, yet in truth, there are very few real experts that got that way without lots of outside help.
To use your 747 analogy, that’s exactly why that sophisticated jet is chock full of automation (autopilot, navigation, weather avoidance, collision avoidance, ground avoidance, etc.) If the user (I mean pilot) had to do every little thing – there would be no flying 747’s.
Most users don’t mind going thru a learning curve – it just has to be in proportion to the payback. You have to wonder who the “thinker” is when some Distro’s make you recompile the Kernel just to add a simple piece of hardware (yes Mrs. Smith, it’s totally normal and expected that we have to mill your engine block in order to put your snow tires on???).
You may chose to “roll your own Linux”, but don’t get confused into thinking that makes you one of the “chosen few” who should be the only ones that get to use Linux. Complexity equals control is a myth.
There is no OFFICIAL ISO to download, but it is quite easy to create the ISO. Just follow the ‘readme’ file under the ‘isolinux’ folder of the slackware-current. That way you only need to download what you need to fit the 700MB CD. I usually create the iso without the ‘kdei’ stuff since I don’t need it.
I don’t like being called elitest when I’m not being elitest. I don’t think that somehow I’m a greater person just because I can use more complicated technology. Don’t assume that everyone that chooses to things the more complicated way is trying to be tricky. Thats like saying the automechanic is elite because he knows more about cars.
I didn’t say complexity means control. I mean that by embracing understanding creates control. If you know what Linux does when it boots step by step, then when it breaks you can fix it without having to reinstall everything. Slackware makes you understand what happens in linux. If I wanted to understand more I’d use LFS, if I really wanted to blow my mind I’d write my own toy OS.
Ease of use is good, mastery is better. If you don’t want to spend the time then don’t but don’t go crapping on people who do bother. You wouldn’t do that to an automechanic or hairdresser.
I get so pissed off when I hear so many people arguing the “ease of use” tidbit pushed around by half intelligent computer minions. This whole pool of dumbwit people who exploded on the scene during the computer boon/bubble that started around ’97.
Most of these people who now pronounce their computer “expertise” couldn’t tell you what on OS was probably, before the herd came onto the scene and they were in it. These same types are the ones who jumped into the herd, got their little MSCE certs by immense study because that was the ting to do, and became “computer experts” by learning how to point-click their way to high level Network admin jobs. Setting up a Windows Server is SO damn easy to begin with. And idiot companies and their HR departments demanding Certs has hurt the pool of talent so much. It has watered down the jobs, market, and economy.
This new generation has seemed to outnumber the REAL, deep down computer “Geeks” today by scary numbers. The ones who have been there from the XT days. The TRUE tinkerers. That bubble has created a whole overload of once ordinary people who have no business being involved in computers, who are now posting their idiotic responses on OS news sites.
I once worked with an MSCE who was stumped on why this one PC wouldn’t boot, not noticing she plugged the mouse into keyboard port and vice versa. THIS is what I am talking about. Mom and pop types who used to only use their computer for work, type a few docs, etc are now the experts in the family and loading the latest MS OS onto siblings computers. Or coming over to run Autoupdate to get the newest patch they just read, And then me having to come over and wipe the HD because it won’t boot now.
Case in point; this Skippy character above. Claiming the REAL computer knowledgeable people like to use Complexity to try and inflate our self worth. And then going on to give a non-sequitor example to prove his point. There WAS a time when the pilot had to do everything. And these are the people I still WANT flying my planes. The true “tinkerers”. Not the hot-shot quick, cert pilot who knows how to run all the latest auto gadgetry to a T. The one who is technically a Pilot, but doesn’t YEARN to be a pilot.
Today’s Windows Operating Systems are like todays 747’s. ANYONE with half intelligence, some patience and a internet connection to Google can run and admin a Windows Server/network. Now with All these Linux vendors dumbing down Linux by the month, They are now migrating to that arena. Gonna take over that one soon as well. In droves once the economy picks up again. While the real ones were there from beginning and STILL enjoy Slackware (or Debian) for reasons only us “Geeks” can explain and not expect others to understand.
So keep waiting for Red Hat 10. I figure by then Linux will be completely GUI installable and adminstratable without even having to touch the command-line. And all of you can profess your “expertise” once again…
😉
People have found this iso very functional. I still run Slackware 9 beta taken by this site.Here it is a nightly build unofficial iso download address:
ftp://128.173.184.249/Linux/ISO/slackware-current-nightly/
http://128.173.184.249/ISO/slackware-current-nightly/
You are afraid, aren’t you?
Afraid of all these people that actually get out and do jobs with what little knowledge they have? I don’t know it, but wouldn’t either be surprised if you were just enfolding yourself into your own romantic but outdated memories.
Seriously, GUI’s are not a bad thing. Not even for the “true tinkerers” as you call them. XT you ask? C64 I say!
The real bad thing is when those “true tinkerers” are stuck in their dream worlds, and people with no programming and design skills whatsoever get to drive on evolution in the computer world. Gladly, it is not like that yet.
Gladly.
I downloaded slackware version 8.1 because I couldn’t install FreeBSD on my lap top. People told me that Slackware was very close to FreeBSD. But Slackware didn’t not work either. I had RedHat 8 installed on the laptop and on another pc. I wanted to get rid of it because it is bloated, slow and it crashes.
Most nice and user friendly distributions are really nice when you install them but after a while you realise that many packages are unstable, that the system is difficult to upgrade and that you end up losing much more time than what you initially saved.
I ended up installing Slackware on one pc and installed Debian on my laptop. I love FreeBSD because you can install binary packages directly from the net or have you packages download and compile directly from the net. You can also upgrade the whole system from the net. Debian is the easiest system to upgrade I have ever seen. People who used it for a long time told me you only need to install it once.
I hope I’ll find something similar with Slackware. Otherwise I will try Gentoo. I didn’t download Gentoo because I thought it was another commercial version. The home page might be too good. I met the Founder of Gentoo last month in Brussels and he certified that it was not commercial. It seems that Gentoo is in many way similar to FreeBSD except for the fact that the ports are in python.
What should he be afraid of? Don’t you realise what he is talking about?
Imagine this analogy. There are Doctors and then there are people who have first aid certificates. What if the people who had the first aid certificate suddenly claimed they are Doctors? Would the real Doctors be afraid or would they just complain about the quality?
It’s a case of a false claim to the throne. The quality sucks, why shouldn’t we complain?
It is not saying that computers should only be used by the high priests, it is saying that people who claim that they know computers but don’t really shouldn’t. Especially when they talk about things that they don’t know enough about.
People who claim X is slow when they wouldn’t understand it if I smacked their heads in with the huge manuals I have for it.
If you don’t care about reading the documentation or tinkering for hours then thats fine. Just don’t then assume you are an expert about the computer.
Here here!
http://linuxtoday.com/news_story.php3?ltsn=2003-03-10-019-26-NW-SL-…
Hi,
I have tried Red Hat, Slackware and Debian.
Red Hat is nice but it hides some parts of the OS. It’s great for all people at Office who just noticed that Windows is not the only OS in earth. IS like seeing the courses:
OS courses: Windows 98, Windows ME and Windows 2000. What else?
I hate that.
Overall, Red Hat is useable.
Slackware, … not nice, GREAT. It loads all the needed things – no junk as Windows-. It’s simple, powerful, …
Debian. it’s really hard to install, very confusing… I prefer Slackware to Debian.
I just upgraded my Gnome 1.4 to Gnome 2.2 using Dropline – dropline.net
n0dez
==
Support the Linux community. n0dez, a LinuxToday contributor.
Slackware news… http://linuxtoday.com/news_story.php3?ltsn=2003-03-10-019-26-NW-SL-…
Hi,
This weekend I’m gonna try RedHat Linux 8.094 (Phoebe-beta3) to see if they have improved something such as speed in Gnome 2.2.
I’ll let you know all you guys if I liked it or not. Right now I’m using Slackware 8.1 with Gnome 2.2. Some days ago I tried to installed Debian and how non-sense it is! All things are not put in a logical way such as dselect.
Got Slack?
n0dez
==
http://www.n0dez.com/
Yoper first? How could be? http://www.distrowatch.com easy money? who knows?
n0dez