Going Linux again....

[KH85]

Hi,

I have basic knowledge of Linix - used it not so long ago (Mandrake and Fedora), didnt really do much. Just installed AMSN, and went on the net.

I am looking to install it again and was thinking of installing Slackware, what is this distro like?

A few questions..

1. Is it easy to install?

1. Is it easy to install new software on?

1. Do RPM files work on it? - does it have a packet manager?

1. Is it as stable as other distros? - silly question but i thought i would ask it

1. On instalation does it auto create partitions or do i have to do this my self?

1. Is it easy to create a Dual Boot with XP with it?

1. Would you suggest anything else? - like Mandrake, Fedora Core 2

Thanks for any input.



P.s there is one more question, does anyone know where i could get the Linux drivers for the Epson Stylus R200 Printer as i couldnt find them ANYWHERE - Thanks

 

[n0cmonkey]

Didn't read my slackware review, eh?

Is it easy to install?

Define easy.

Is it easy to install new software on?

Define easy.

Do RPM files work on it? - does it have a packet manager?

Yes, yes. RPMs _can_ work, but are not supported. Slackware's package system is pretty weak without a 3rd party tool. I believe I touch on two of them in my review.

Is it as stable as other distros? - silly question but i thought i would ask it

Yes, more or less.

On instalation does it auto create partitions or do i have to do this my self?

I remember creating partitions. Shouldn't be too tough, if you can use cfdisk...

Is it easy to create a Dual Boot with XP with it?

Not sure, but it dualbooted with OpenBSD easily. I just added OpenBSD to the lilo.conf and I was done.

Would you suggest anything else? - like Mandrake, Fedora Core 2

Pretend it's tokemon: gotta try them all.

 

[Zelmo3]

Originally posted by: KHGamez

1. Would you suggest anything else? - like Mandrake, Fedora Core 2

I have long preferred SuSE, and still do after trying a few others (though Gentoo is a lot of fun). SuSE is as easy to install as anything, new software is pretty easy (much better than many distros but not quite as good as Gentoo or Debian), it deals with RPMs quite nicely, and sets up a dual-boot by default if it sees another system on the hard drive. Oh, and the 9.1 version is now available, which sports a 2.6 kernel.

 

[drag]

Debian.

Install Debian.

Do it.

You know you want to.


Install Debian stable, edit the /etc/apt/sources.list file to use unstable, apt-get update, apt-get dist-upgrade.

Never have to install another OS again.

100,000+ programs at your finger tips.

 

[Bremen]

Well basically the question is how much do you want to actually have to do. Slackware dosn't do much hand holding, whereas a distro like SuSE will automatically do alot for you. The choice comes down to what you want to do with it, do you want to learn the innards, Slackware all the way, or do you just want to set it up and be able to browse the web read email and never have to worry about the innards, probably SuSE/Mandrake/Fedora.

Anyway, since its free you really can't go wrong trying a bunch of different distros, the only thing you have to lose is your time :0)

 

[MadRat]

Yeah, but one of the Slaxware ISO's out there allows you to run a VM of Slaxware, with nothing permanently on your harddrive unless you configure a partition to write upon. This way you can keep your MS load on the harddrive and still get experience with the Linux environment.

 

[silverpig]

Gentoo is fairly difficult to get up and running, but their install guide is absolutely excellent, and their forums are even better so when you do get caught on a snag it's very easy to find a solution. After you have it up and running it's probably the easiest distro to maintain and keep up to date. Just

emerge sync
emerge -UD world

and every single piece of software on your system is brought up to date. I do this every 2-3 days and I usually find between 5 and 10 packages with updates. It's great.

 

[eigen]

I suggest Fedora core 2
Easy install = you bet.
rpm = yes
package manager= yum ( very easy to use IMHO )
automatic partition = yes
Easy to dual boot with Windows = yep.

Is it the best distro = no way . just a really good distro that I happen to like.

pm me I you got more questions etc...

 

[KH85]

Thanks for all the information.

I forgot about Debian, i had it install a while back, didnt really use it much as i was into quite a few games then. I might for that again.

SuSe sounds good, ill have a look into it. Thanks for the info on it.

Gentoo sounds very interesting, if there forums are as good as you say i think i might be there alot if i install it

And for Frdora, i installed Core 1 not so long ago. I liked it thought it was quite good. So i might go back to it.

But at the moment i am thinking either Debian or Gentoo. I will probly change my mind again, but i will be spending a while looking into each distro for a while..

Thanks again you have all been very helpfull

EDIT : n0cmonkey - No i didnt read it sorry, i read bits of the "Which Distro for you" thread but i was looking experiences from people who have used the distros in that past, i do appoligise :beer: