Slackware: the classic distro that's as timely as ever.
In a way, Slackware needs no defense. Those that use the distro know of its merits and enjoy its stability, security, simplicity and speed. However, with the growing popularity of newer distros like Ubuntu, more and more articles seem to relegate Slackware to the dust bin of history, or they say it's a hobbyist's distro, or they make snide comments like “1995 called and they want their distro back.” As of late, these comments seem to proliferate at about the same rate as the Ubuntu articles. Using Ubuntu as an example, let's conduct a little examination to see where Slackware's strengths lie and how it compares and differs with the newer upstart distros of today.
Slackware enjoys the official position of “the eldest” of all of the currently developed distributions. Started in 1993 by Patrick Volkerding it began its life as a series of improvements to SLS' version of Linux. By and by, it grew into a separate distro of its own. In fact, several other distros (who shall remain nameless) used Slackware as their basis before they ventured off into their respective directions.
Through the years, many aspects of Slackware have remained the same such as the ncurses-based installer, the use of LILO over GRUB, and the general lack of auto-configuration tools. Back in the day this simplicity was no big deal; this was par for the course. But as the years passed, and as other newbie-oriented distros emerged with their graphical configuration wizards and step-by-step hand holding assistants, Slackware remained true to its commitment to be the most Unix-like Linux in the market.
And this meant staying true to the no-frills mentality that has made the distro famous.
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Subtle directional changes at Slackware ? Server or Desktop ?
Slackware v12.0 and the testing current free version is subtly changed to server version taking advantage of kernel 2.6.x distributed local priority data synchronization features(unionfs and aufs). Web and ftp servers are run out of the box. Abiword and openoffice suites are not included(to be incorporated in website applications).
Obviously, the version 11.0 for desktop(extended by Windows Live and Ajaxwindows) with kernel 2.4.x is still available and supported. Also, that distro is now supplied with tgz instead of iso files. The future is to do data transfer in the highest data compression ratio. If operating system is kept in tgz form(squashfs) then text verbose is all the more important to let user know the current state of the operating system on the fly.
Good luck, slackware current or v12.0, with the eye on the market share of machine rooms(SOA of IT departments).
Now perhaps, Volkerding might help me to get email address website server going with faxed webpages(pixeled framebuffer for printer, scanner, digital camera and copier to do one webpage at a time), and in modified Sylpheed, mgetty and sendmail file system combination, including Xfce addon toolbars and taskbars?