Someone reviewed v on Jul 5, 2022

Pros: 555

Cons: 555

Bottom Line: 555

aszure reviewed v15.0 RC1 on Aug 17, 2021

Pros: Its not windows

Cons: Not for the inexperienced.

Bottom Line: For the noobs complaining about how hard it is to configure. This is the way Slackware has been like this since day one. Go back to ubuntu

Artem S. Tashkinov reviewed v13.0 on Aug 28, 2009

This thing isn't even remotely usable requiring to had-edit text configurations files pretty much for everything.

If you wanna try Linux, avoid Slackware like a plague. This is a distro for people who don't give a heck about their time and lives.

I give it 2 just because it's not LFS.

legion reviewed v12.2 on Dec 11, 2008

Reviewer: monzi Dec 5, 2008
Version: 12.2 RC1

Doesn't work on vista

What do U mean?

DudeBoyz reviewed v12.2 on Dec 11, 2008

As a server-side product, it may well be one of the better distributions - complexity of installation and configuration would matter less to experienced server administrators.

However, as an end-user product, the same complexity of installation and configuration when compared to other client-side distributions become a glaring weak point, imo.

If this product was specifically referenced as "Slackware 12.2 Server Edition" or something similar, it could be judged on a more clearly defined set of expectations and functionality.

If it is felt that such a differentiation is warranted in thise case, I would recommend a request be made to BetaNews via the contact page for that specific modification of the product description so that it becomes readily apparent that it should be judged not as a consumer level product but as a professional server product.

Scores could rise notably as a result.

KuHGl reviewed v12.2 RC1 on Dec 7, 2008

I don't judge an operating system using it's 'beautiful pictures' nor does my comment depend upon the 'mouseability' (sorry for this sick 'word'). An OS does have to work stable and it is necessary that it can be installed with minimal requirements. Slackware IS conservative and everybody (in the scene) knows this, but the same time everybody knows of the qualities of it, so why criticizing this distro for it's well known and BTW intentionally kept characteristics? Use another distro and forget Slackware, that easy it is!
And another thing: For all you mouse-fetishists out there, why do you not simply keep your Windows? The next collection of surprising pictures, sounds and BUGS (and sincerely some further surprises...) is already at it's starting blocks (Windows 7) - take it and be happy with it.
I'm in the process of changing completely to Linux - and one of the two distros I prefer is Slackware.
And my closing words: If somebody is simply a fan of (for example) SUSE, he/she should use it. But leave other software in peace and alone. Nobody asks you to use something you don't like - we live in a democracy. And if you are somebody who belong to the company 'SUSE': What you do here is impairing the reputation of Slackware, which is unfair.

underscore reviewed v12.2 RC1 on Dec 5, 2008

Still hands down the best Linux Server OS, Sure something like CentOS is great if you want to slap together a quick kludge, but if your serious then no other linux comes close.

I just wish it had a good package manager to automaticly install security updates for you, someone correct me if it does now, I just haven't RTFM since 8.0 =)

monzi reviewed v12.2 RC1 on Dec 5, 2008

Doesn't work on vista

DudeBoyz reviewed v12.2 RC1 on Dec 4, 2008

UPDATE: The installation and setup process for this distro is so archaic it's almost laughable. Man - what a complete pain the arse this thing is. It's so far behind the ease of installation offered by most distros that it's an immediate turn-off.

Character based install where you have to manually create a swap file partition, an installation partition and manually choose the installation source because it fails to even see the drive during an automatic search.

You have to go through the "setup restart" cycle like a half-dozen times before you are finally able to get the thing to recognize the configuration options and actually start the installation of the software.

Man, what a total hassle-filled letdown. The installation crashes like a mother too. Oh man.

I have absolutely no idea why anybody would want to use this thing when you have OpenSUSE or even Fedora. Heck, even Mandriva 2009, which is not quite as tech-tweak-friendly as SUSE could probably outpace this thing.

Do yourself a favor and just pass this distro by and don't look back. It just ain't worth the time, effort and energy.

ORIGINAL POST:

Neutral Score of 3 - Explanation

The version listed in this entry, Slackware Linux 12.2 RC1, is not actually available for download because Slackware does not actually create / provide ISO images of Release Candidates that can be downloaded by the user.

As a result, the link provided here does not lead to an actual download of RC1.

The best the user can get, apparently, is an unofficial ISO of the last Weekly Build.

For more information, check out this site:

http://distrowatch.com/

So, given that I can't actually download the 12.2 RC1 ISO, I'm making a comment / review and assigning a score of 3.

If I'm able to actually obtain the DVD ISO of 12.2 RC1 for testing, I intend to return here and modify the score as appropriate.

akker reviewed v12.0 RC2 on Jun 26, 2007

The Dave, Slackware 12 comes with a 2.6 kernel by default and other major improvements over the previous versions. Check the changelogs, then talk. Anyway good job Patrick and the rest of the slack community.

ssb reviewed v11.0 on Oct 4, 2006

Slackware used to be, and still is, the most professional Linux distribution. It is the only Linux distribution that fully complies with all published standards, (e.g.: Linux File System Standard etc.). This sounds simple but the truth is that almost all available distributions don't comply with the standards.

I don’t use Linux, FreeBSD is my primary server OS but if I had to use Linux instead, Slackware would be my first choice!

AlEx707 reviewed v11.0 on Oct 3, 2006

You have to learn it or to know linux to use it, it's not a GUI driven OS, but it's rock-solid,small compare to others and you'll learn much more with it than w/o.

Ian C. reviewed v11.0 RC5 on Sep 22, 2006

Tries to be more like BSD than other linux distros, why not just use BSD? I'm not a linux fan at all, but this is one of the better ones. Although if I was forced to choose linux, I'd pick debian.

Frostek reviewed v11.0 RC5 on Sep 18, 2006

"I believe its time to move on with Linux and make a new and exciting OS from the ground up. BEOS was an revolutionary OS but never mutured to the point it was able to go mainstream. Linux, UNIX had its run and now let someone else."

Well, bobenhaus don't let us keep you. After all, you make it sound so easy to write a new OS, plus driver support, plus all the applications.

Sarcasm aside, why not do a search for Syllable OS. It might well suit you.

bobenhaus reviewed v11.0 RC4 on Sep 5, 2006

I believe its time to move on with Linux and make a new and exciting OS from the ground up. BEOS was an revolutionary OS but never mutured to the point it was able to go mainstream. Linux, UNIX had its run and now let someone else.

speedwaystar reviewed v11.0 RC4 on Sep 5, 2006

Why is this in System Utilities/Tweaking? O_o

HornyToad reviewed v11.0 RC3 on Aug 29, 2006

How am I supposed to rate it any higher than that if I couldn't even try it ? To appreciate it, I'd have to at least be able to run in Live mode, before I decide to install it or not. What I deplore is the fact that their ISO, however complete, is big (as in 2,5 gig big), and takes a lo-ooong time to download, all for nothing. And I concur with the comments based on the fact that the link to download mentions a 700 meg size, whereas the actual size is several times that. I visit BN several times a day, just to keep in touch with the new software releases, and I like this site. Giving information so incomplete and/or skimpy on a software is just unbecoming, that's all.

Nils, is this comment dedicated to me ? ("you have no access to this ftp")

vfxi reviewed v11.0 RC3 on Aug 29, 2006

This is a relly good distro. To give it a one because you are not able to donwload it from BN's link is not cool. As for not working on your laptop and the distro not being for you and giving it a 1 is not cool either. I've used previous versions of this and I have to say that I like them alot. It's been around a very long time and is a rock solid distro. I hope in this release they include Gnome as well as KDE and other window managers. I give it an overall 5.

nilst2006 reviewed v11.0 RC3 on Aug 28, 2006

You have NO right to access this FTP...

HornyToad reviewed v11.0 RC2 on Aug 26, 2006

Sorry to leak on everybody's parade, but this distro is obviously either for c**p... or not for me (read : not for my HP laptop with a French keyboard), because every time I've tried to boot on the Live DVD to give it a spin, it was a no-go...

Don't ask me why, but boot stops when you have to chose a keyboard layout (or go with the US one), and even when I hit "Enter" without doing anything else, the DVD goes dead on me (I can even eject it if I'm so inclined), and that's that. Tried all the boot options provided in the first phase of boot, to no avail. Downloaded several "current" distros (took like forever), and burned them alright, but still, the darned thing won't boot.

Same on Parallel Desktop (I also have a brand new MacBook Pro) : boots OK on the VM, I get to choose which keyboard I want to use on it, then no install at all, because the file system in the VM-installed portion of my HDD is not compatible, or some such nonsense.

Bottom line is : what's wrong with this Slack-ware ? Or is it me...? (Highly unlikely, though... :-) )

toddhd reviewed v11.0 RC2 on Aug 21, 2006

For what it is worth, Slackware is a darn solid distro. Some of the comments below seem to indicate that the technology it comes with is "old", and I can't deny that to some degree, but then again, that's why it is so solid. Slackware if NOT for noobs to Linux.

If you want an easy to use, bleeding edge distro, then go with Mandriva, (or RedHat or Suse maybe) but if you want a solid, professional package then you could do worse than Slackware.

lokanetra reviewed v11.0 RC2 on Aug 21, 2006

I remember hacking around with Slackware back in 1993 when the distro was still pre-release. IIRC, only Slackware, Debian and Redhat were amongst the top distros at the time. Nowadays Slackware is perhaps one of the best when it comes to stability. The distro tends to be geared towards a more advanced user but it works well once you dive-in to it. Too many people are still comparing linux/*nix to windows. As I've said before, the right tool for the right job. I believe it's beneficial to have at least a couple of OS's if you're a "power user", or if you just want to learn. Don't be hatin :)

segfaul reviewed v11.0 RC1 on Aug 15, 2006

aredo: You sound like Bill Gates.

Slackware is more usefull the any BSD´s.

It´s faster, more secure, yes i know many OpenBSD users are begging to get funktions like grsecurity.

Slackware is a good choice for server.

aredo reviewed v11.0 RC1 on Aug 15, 2006

Another useless Linux distribution.
If you know Unix and just want a stable Unix OS to set up some servers then go for BSD variants or Sun Solaris, forget about Linux completely despite many web hosting sites are using it.
If you are looking for a Windows XP replacement.. well, forget about it. Either you switch to Apple Mac with OS X (BSD+Mach microkernel) which is the only end-user usable Unix out there, or you won't have an option. OS X is the only Unix OS featuring some direct manufacturers support and decent drivers and a usable and productive GUI.

ModderXManiac reviewed v10.2 on Sep 15, 2005

ServerMechanic,

They still use that kernel, yes, but its highly modified making it just as capable as 2.6.

Why do they do this???Performance. This O.S. is designed for exceptional performance, and kernel 2.6 uses more memory and a higher thread count, while modified 2.4 is just as capable. Same applies for the use of the x-window system.

Slackware is awesome.

ServerMechanic reviewed v10.2 on Sep 15, 2005

And still on the 2.4 kernel.

What a joke.

I know 2.6 is in the "test" folder but come on. Make it the "norm" already.

Slack is slackin....

GeorgeSantayana reviewed v10.2 on Sep 15, 2005

With the speed of X Windows, they ought to consider giving it the GIMP moniker instead.

slushdot reviewed v10.2 on Sep 15, 2005

yeah, and next maybe they should give GIMP the moniker of George Santayana!

batjohan reviewed v9.1 on Sep 29, 2003

Great!