Customer Reviews

Slackware Linux 7.1

5 star:		(12)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

One day there was a little boy named Linus Torvalds. He liked to play with computers and get them to do things. And on one very special and fateful day, he was astounded by a friend of his who was using something called UNIX. It was better, faster and did more than anything he'd ever seen before. "Where can I get this UNIX?" he asked? "And for how much?" That day he learned that not everyone could use UNIX. It was expensive. So, being a savvy, industrius and inventive little tyke, Linus set about writing his own version. It would be called LINUX, it would be every ounce as powerful, and would be free! And every little boy and girl could make their own improvements because he would give away the source code! ...Of all the LINUX distributions, SLACKWARE has been defined as the most 'UNIX'-like. It is also among the oldest, most developed and often the most advanced of the LINUX flavors. All of that aside, I found it to be the most useful way to learn to use LINUX. Let me explain... The installer is a script, with a less than impressive 'DOS' looking interface. But do not let the look fool you. Under the hood, it is every ounce the musclebound goliath you want it to be. Don't judge a distribution based on this; they may look different, but most installers have the same general set of options. Pay attention to the screen when linux is booting whether off of floppies or CD. This will tell you some valuable things (like what additional kinds of starage devices the kernel has already recognized in your machine). This makes less work and less confusion later on. If you have another drive with Windows on it, SLACKWARE can usually detect it and make it available from within your LINUX session. If you can set up SLACKWARE, you will do fine. Setting up XWindows is a great first lesson in your new environment. Find out what kind of hardware you have in your machine. SLACKWARE takes nothing for granted. You will need to tell XWindows what kind of mouse, video card and monitor you have, and d which display settings you would like to use. Why all the fuss? When you are done you will already have a good working knowledge of how LINUX and XWindows works. Using SLACKWARE means that you have a better idea of what's going on inside LINUX. Other distributions tend to remove you from the command prompt, which is LINUX in it's truest form. This means that you don't really get to see how things work, and you're not 'really learning' anything but the difference between Windows and XWindows. XWindows is not an operating System. It is a Shell or window manager. Explorer.exe and it's related components are the Windows Shell (the start button, Task Bar, System Tray, Desktop and its own kind of Window Manager). This is where the similarities end. LINUX is a much more powerful OS than Windows. Hands Down. The operating system is the command prompt. You need to learn the LINUX command prompt in order to understand how LINUX works. This will help you know what's wrong when something doesn't work, and it will empower you with a dynamic command of the LINUX OS. You almost can't set up SLACKWARE without actually learning how it works. The books are fine and the 'man' command can save your life, but nothing is as rewarding as realizing that you are the reason it works. The learning curve here 'is' the reward. Other distributions do not offer this kind of trial-by-fire approach, but when you come out on the other side of the installation of other distributions, you haven't learned much, if anything. Q) Why learn SLACKWARE? A) It's the Most like UNIX. It costs next to nothing. And it is a first rate powerhouse of an OS. Oh yeah, and you might actually 'learn' LINUX. SLACKWARE is for those of us who want to know how things work and how to 'make' things work. like what, you ask? Almost 90% of the internet is composed of UNIX or LINUX clients and servers. No kidding, when asked what he thought of the growing public interest in the internet, Bill Gates said, 'It's a phase'...'that will pass'. Boy, he was wrong on a GALACTIC scale! But this gave LINUX developers the opportunity to write the protocols and environments that are the internet as we know it. LINUX out-sold Windows in Japan last year in new OS purchases. Why? You can make LINUX anything you want it to be. Router (internet traffic) software and Tivo (record days of Television at a time digitally) machines and the SONY PlayStation2 (Everything from videogames to DVD player to internet box+ a lot LOT more) software development kit use LINUX. For example, after Microsoft had owned HotMail for awhile, they decided that it looked silly for them to be running a mail service on LINUX. So they set everything up on WindowsNT. And crashed for three straight days. Now it is being run on LINUX again. Enough said. If you do not want to know how things work, but want to use a powerful distribution, use something else. But if you are serious about 'learning' LINUX, SLACKWARE is as close to UNIX as you can get. And that's what's keeping us all connected. You can have a working http (web) ftp and telnet server in no time at all.

I started out with Red Hat 6.0 and then got rid of it because I did not like it at that time. I then installed Red Hat 6.2 and liked it alot but it also is full of dependancy problems. People used to tell me that if you REALLY want to learn Linux you better get Slackware, well I ordered it and I loved it! I wish I had installed Slackware Linux early on, because if I had I would have learned alot more about Linux than I already have. It makes you do all the stuff manually so you get to know the system really well, plus its alot faster than Red Hat because of the lack of sugar coatings that the friendly distro's have. This, I think is the distro for Professionals because of its security and stability. This set also includes an excellent manual that is VERY helpful if you get stumped, especially for professionals that come from Windows NT background, because most of us (yes I am an MCSE) know the technical stuff but lack knowledge about UNIX so this is a great place to start. Way to go Slackware, keep it up and don't ever sugar coat your distro, it'll destroy your tradition!

I bought Slackware 7.1 about 2 months ago to replace windows 98 2nd edish on my comp, while it has not done that I have found Slackware to be quite a nice OS. If you repartition your Hard Drive and throw it on its own partition...you have to get partition magic or a freeware clone version because no repartitioning agent is packaged with 7.1...you will find Slack ware to be a wonderful basic OS for running around on your computer. If you are like me..totally dependant on the windows enviornment you will have to ease yourself into linux...to help you out linux has included the Slackware 7.1 linux guide to its software!! This book has been a BIG help!!! Slackware has also included ZipSlack and BigSlack versions of slackware. These 2 versions are ment to be unzipped into your C: drive!! These can be booted...(started) from Dos!!! What does this mean?? This means you can install linux within windows 9x and start it up without repartitioning your Hard Drive!!!! I tried Big Slack but found this to be the one thing that dissapoited me. As I stated before you have to unzip the big slack and zip slack into c: drive and mess around with Linux.bat to get it to boot. If you do not know how to edit or anthing about run time and whatnot then this can get really hair raising!! I know enough about computers to edit but could not get big slack to work....I would recommend WinLinux 2000 if you want to be able to install linux into your C: without messing with your HD..(hard drive). Winlinux will take the configuration from windows and set it up on Linux. You might have to mess with some settings but Winlinux is easier by far!! Other than that...Slackware is an A+ on my list!! As stated before...if you repartition your HD and install the full version on its own space you will be very happy! xf86config walks you through setting up your computers configuration to work under one of the many linux desktop enviornments....NOTE: it is reaaaaaly helpful if you have an idea of what your monitor settings are, what sound & video card you have and other such things. If you have this setting up the desktop enviornment will be a snap!! One last thing..if you are familiar with DOS then Linux will be a snap! Linux is actually like DOS!! And the desktop reminds me of Windows 3.1...although the desktop enviornments have more capabilities than what 3.1 ever thought of having...infact the desktops of linux are much like win 9x desktop. Anyhoo..Slackware is a great way to go for full installation on a partition...Winlinux 2000 is a better way to go if you want to install linux within windows.

Over the years, Slackware has gained a reputation for itself as being the "hard way" to do Linux. People think that because it has a text-based installer -- as opposed to a fancy-pants graphical one -- that it must be 'older' or 'harder' or 'primitive.' Well shame on anyone that thinks like this, because they don't realize that this is Linux in its purest, and un-Redmondized form. Slackware is for everyone that wants to take control of their computer, not the other way around.

I've always been a no-frills kind of guy, when it comes to computers. When I used Windows, I always hated a cluttered desktop, I hated when Windows would load all sorts of useless programs in the background without letting me know... It always made me wish that there was a way to use my computer efficiently, without running "msconfig" to get rid of everything I didn't like about Windows, and Slackware was the answer.

When installing Slackware, it gives you a straightforward, easy-to-use way of adding and removing any packages you don't want or need on your computer. It only installs what you want, and what you absolutely need... And it leaves the rest up to you. Configuring the X Windows system is also as easy as ever. Run one simple program, make some choices regarding your video card and monitor, and you're ready to go. Anyone that thinks this minimalistic effort is "too much" needs to step back and realize how much Windows spoon feeds them; it's time to grow up.

It's also worth noting that the book that comes with this particluar package (Slackware Essentials) is pretty helpful as well. It's not the kind of book you just sit down and read, but it serves as an excellent reference when you hit a mind block.

Slackware is everything you need your computer to be: Fast, efficient, simple, reliable... It's all here. If you're getting tired of being unable to take full control of your computer, this is definitely what you're looking for. ...

It is a good product. If you've had any experience installing and configuring Linux before you'll find this one is easy. If you are a newbie and intend to install slackware linux(or any Linux) I recommend you do these first before and after you install. 1) get as much info about your hardware as much as possible E.g. -what kind of hard disk, how big it is, is it first drive on first controller, manufacturer name, IDE or not -mouse type, protocol, on what port -modem type, ISDN or not (try to make sure the modem is connected to COM1 or 2 or 3 or 4 is better/easier) -monitor type (HSYNC, VSYNC,RAMDAC clock) -graphic card (how much video RAM,type of it) -call your ISP, find the nameserver of your ISP, IP, or just talk to tech dept of your ISP tell them you want to as much info as you need to connect your Linux box to the net. Their tech guys should know what kind of info you need. 2) once installed be good friend with "man" and "apropos" command 3) figure out files under /dev/ttyS.. , /etc and so on 4) read the manual , figure out various configuration files, open them , try to understand them 5) don't be afraid with command lines 6) grab some O'Reilly books on unix and linux 7) grab Linux Journal mags

Before you know it , you'll be up and running with Linux

I have been trying different flavors of Linux on an ancient laptop I own. The newer "easy" distributions were a nightmare to persuade to make friends with my antique hardware. Then they moved like bloated, arthritic elephants once I finally got them in. After all that, I knew exactly what hardware I had, but approached the Slackware install with fear, as if it were dental surgery. I needn't have. The installation manual was the clearest and best organized I have ever seen for Linux. It tells you exactly what you need to know, no more, no less. I went slowly, installed everything, and was trying on different themes for my desktop in about two and a half hours. This may be an old distribution, but I have seen the past and it works.

Slackware Linux is a great OS. Other crappy distributions of Linux take you away from the true Linux experience. Others like Red Hat. I mean if I wanted Windows I would buy it. Slackware is great, and is faster and more productive for me. This is because you have to do most things at the command prompt. Very Stable. Fast, Secure. What more could you want in a OS?

I disagree that zipslack/bigslack aren't too good for umsdos distributions of Linux. just edit the bat just like they say on the slackware site. piece of cake. just know your hardware before you do it, but even if you screw up it is easily fixed. i got the bare bones zipslack running on systems with lots invested in Windows and never have any probs. just download zipslack to try it out, but make sure you buy the cd if you want a full install, because the dowload is huge on bigslack etc. i got zipslack and then downloaded X11. configuring that can be a chore, but all the help is in the linux documentation project online. also got Red Hat Package manager (RPM) (separate download of course, but free too) so i could loot the redhat disks my friends had. Linux does take a little effort, but can be quite fun, and once you get it running it is the best. In summary, zipslack is a great way to try it out, and 'cause it is slackware it feels the most like a true unix system. just use that old vax knowledge you got in the computer labs in college and you're set.

I'm a complete Linux newbie. Although I've worked with a number of operating systems--from DOS 2.something to Win2K, VAX/VMS, OS/400 and MPE--I really haven't used any of the UNIX-based OS's. After hearing all of the noise about Linux, I decided it was time to try it. I'll be honest--I chose Slackware because of its price. I know, I could have downloaded it for free, but then I'd have to buy manuals (or do a LOT of on-line research) and since I don't have a CD burner, it seemed easiest to buy a packaged product.

I made the right choice. Installation was a breeze! I read the "Slackware Linux Essentials" book that comes with the CD's from cover to cover, then read Mr. Volkerding's installation guide (included in the CD set) as well before beginning my installation, then used both manuals as a reference while actually performing the install. It took a few hours to load the OS, but then I wasn't devoting my full attention, either. My installation worked right away, and I've picked up the very tip-of-the-iceberg basics fairly quickly, too. Granted, I have not yet attempted to configure the X environment (I'm still looking for the manuals for some of my hardware :) and I'm telnetting to that PC anyway).

If you are not used to UNIX/Linux, some features, such as the requirement to mount and unmount CD's or floppies (and cd out of the /CDROM directory before trying to umount!) may seem a little quirky, but it's really fairly easy to use.

If you are tired of "doing windows", but are scared away from Linux by all of the "gotta be a guru to use it" hype, give Slackware a try. Just read the manual first--and it IS readable, for a technical document. For 20 bucks, you can't go wrong!

I've used Slackware since 1996, and while it's definitely not the easiest distribution of Linux to install, I really like it. The installer isn't pointy-clicky, but it is very straightforward.

Get Slack if you:
* Want a sturdy, powerful server without all the cutesy flab that you get with Red Hat, etc. mostly oriented towards desktop users.
* Are a power user, and want a Linux desktop or development platform that's not bogged down with useless fluff.
* Want a Linux system that can be easily trimmed down for use on low-end machines, like a 486 with 400MB of disk space. It sounds like "ancient" hardware, but with Slack, you can turn it into a nice little router or firewall.

But, don't get Slack if...
* You're not comfortable with the console
* You really like GUI installs that take care of everything for you
* You don't feel comfortable with configuring things manually, without the benefit of tons of auto-config tools.

Basically, if you're comfortable with using your computer and you want to get the most out of it, Slackware is a great way to go. I highly recommend it to power users and those who want to get their hands dirty with a powerful version of Linux.