Debian or slackware?

Debian or slackware?

[Jes and guide dog Harley]

Folks, I have a few questions about my first installation of Linux. I'm wondering since I am a total newby, if I should go with
debian woodie/potato first, or try slackware 9.1 for a trial run? I don't need a lot of packages right now, I want a lot but don't
need a lot for an introduction to Linux, and I figure that if I'm going to get really introduced to it the less packages, the
better. This way, I can be more focused on the structure of the operating system itself, rather than on what packages do what and
which ones I have installed, etc. My final question is, I know that to install Debian's packages you must have an iso image of the
cd unless you want to do a network install (which I'm not planning on.) but what about slackware? If I have to have an iso image,
where do I get the cd images?
Thanks a lot for any help.
Jes

Re: Debian or slackware?

[Jacob Schmude]

Hi
Well, I've always liked slack, so I may be a bit biased here. IMHO, if you really want to understand the structure of linux, slack is the way to go. Almost all 
the configuration is done through the config files, no fancy config tools that hide things from you. This is largely the case with debian as well. Slack also has 
an easier structure than debian in my opinion, it seems to centralize all related files in one place, whereas in debian they seem, to me at least, to be all over 
the place with symbolic links all around. Also, with debian, you really do need to know the names of the packages and what they do. With slack, just select 
your package groups during install, use a full installation, and you're up and running. Again, I'm probably a bit biased, since my first linux run was with slack 
and, no matter what other distros (debian, redhat, fedora, etc) I try, I always wind up coming back to slack in the end.
You do need two cd images to install slackware, you can get them from:
ftp://carroll.cac.psu.edu/pub/linux/distributions/slackware/slackware-9.1-iso/
I find this is a relatively fast mirror to download the iso images from. You only need the first two disks, install-d1 and install-d2. The other two disks are source, 
which you don't need.
HTH
On Sun, 16 Nov 2003 00:53:30 -0500, Jes and guide dog Harley wrote:

>Folks, I have a few questions about my first installation of Linux. I'm wondering since I am a total newby, if I should go with
>debian woodie/potato first, or try slackware 9.1 for a trial run? I don't need a lot of packages right now, I want a lot but don't
>need a lot for an introduction to Linux, and I figure that if I'm going to get really introduced to it the less packages, the
>better. This way, I can be more focused on the structure of the operating system itself, rather than on what packages do what and
>which ones I have installed, etc. My final question is, I know that to install Debian's packages you must have an iso image of the
>cd unless you want to do a network install (which I'm not planning on.) but what about slackware? If I have to have an iso image,
	>where do I get the cd images?

Re: Debian or slackware?

[Steve Holmes]

Yes, and if I may add, the boot process is pretty easy too.  If you
are booting from a CD, after everything stops spinning or whatever,
you should be at a lilo prompt; just type speakup.s
speakup_synth=<synth_name> and if your synth is plugged into the right
serial port (ttyS0 or com1), hit the enterkey and the system should
start booting and come up talking.  My machines don't boot from CD so
I have to copy out boot/root images onto floppies to ultimately do the
same process.  There's some good docs on the root directory of CD #1
that should help you further.

I cut my linux teeth on Slackware and still like it best.  I tried to
play with Debian a while back but ran into so many driver/module
compatibility problems with the available speakup enabled bootdisks, I
had to give it up.  I think the Debian package offerings and
maintenance tools are better but I fall back into my "box / comfort
zone" with Slackware.  Actually, Slackware has improved the package
tools a bit with version 9.1.

On Sun, Nov 16, 2003 at 01:38:34AM -0500, Jacob Schmude wrote:
> Hi
> Well, I've always liked slack, so I may be a bit biased here. IMHO, if you really want to understand the structure of linux, slack is the way to go. Almost all 
> the configuration is done through the config files, no fancy config tools that hide things from you. This is largely the case with debian as well. Slack also has 
> an easier structure than debian in my opinion, it seems to centralize all related files in one place, whereas in debian they seem, to me at least, to be all over 
> the place with symbolic links all around. Also, with debian, you really do need to know the names of the packages and what they do. With slack, just select 
> your package groups during install, use a full installation, and you're up and running. Again, I'm probably a bit biased, since my first linux run was with slack 
> and, no matter what other distros (debian, redhat, fedora, etc) I try, I always wind up coming back to slack in the end.
> You do need two cd images to install slackware, you can get them from:
> ftp://carroll.cac.psu.edu/pub/linux/distributions/slackware/slackware-9.1-iso/
> I find this is a relatively fast mirror to download the iso images from. You only need the first two disks, install-d1 and install-d2. The other two disks are source, 
> which you don't need.
> HTH
-- 
HolmesGrown Solutions
The best solutions for the best price!
http://ld.net/?holmesgrown

Re: Debian or slackware?

[Alex Snow]

Hi. 
I would go with slackware. it was my first distro and I still use it.
I found it's install easier since the latest version comes with 
speakup stock and this is not the case with debian.
one more advantage is slackware comes on only 2 cd's (actually 4 but 
that last two are source code). so all you need is on those first 2 
disks. if you don't want gnome or kde you only need the first cd but 
the second one is also a really cool rescue disk so it's worth 
downloading.
you can get the iso images from 
ftp://ftp.eunet.be/pub/linux/slackware/slackware-9.1-iso
On 
Sun, Nov 16, 2003 at 12:53:30AM -0500, Jes and guide dog Harley wrote:
> Folks, I have a few questions about my first installation of Linux. I'm wondering since I am a total newby, if I should go with
> debian woodie/potato first, or try slackware 9.1 for a trial run? I don't need a lot of packages right now, I want a lot but don't
> need a lot for an introduction to Linux, and I figure that if I'm going to get really introduced to it the less packages, the
> better. This way, I can be more focused on the structure of the operating system itself, rather than on what packages do what and
> which ones I have installed, etc. My final question is, I know that to install Debian's packages you must have an iso image of the
> cd unless you want to do a network install (which I'm not planning on.) but what about slackware? If I have to have an iso image,
> where do I get the cd images?
> Thanks a lot for any help.
> Jes
> 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Speakup mailing list
> Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
> http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup

-- 
Who is General Failure and why is he reading my hard disk?

Re: Debian or slackware?

[Glenn Ervin at home]

Alex,
is there another site to download slackware?
The link you provided seems to either be a bad link, or the site is down at
the time.
Glenn.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Alex Snow" <alex_snow@gmx.net>
To: "Jes and guide dog Harley" <jesman598@triad.rr.com>; "Speakup is a
screen review system for Linux." <speakup@braille.uwo.ca>
Sent: Sunday, November 16, 2003 8:30 AM
Subject: Re: Debian or slackware?


Hi.
I would go with slackware. it was my first distro and I still use it.
I found it's install easier since the latest version comes with
speakup stock and this is not the case with debian.
one more advantage is slackware comes on only 2 cd's (actually 4 but
that last two are source code). so all you need is on those first 2
disks. if you don't want gnome or kde you only need the first cd but
the second one is also a really cool rescue disk so it's worth
downloading.
you can get the iso images from
ftp://ftp.eunet.be/pub/linux/slackware/slackware-9.1-iso
On
Sun, Nov 16, 2003 at 12:53:30AM -0500, Jes and guide dog Harley wrote:
> Folks, I have a few questions about my first installation of Linux. I'm
wondering since I am a total newby, if I should go with
> debian woodie/potato first, or try slackware 9.1 for a trial run? I don't
need a lot of packages right now, I want a lot but don't
> need a lot for an introduction to Linux, and I figure that if I'm going to
get really introduced to it the less packages, the
> better. This way, I can be more focused on the structure of the operating
system itself, rather than on what packages do what and
> which ones I have installed, etc. My final question is, I know that to
install Debian's packages you must have an iso image of the
> cd unless you want to do a network install (which I'm not planning on.)
but what about slackware? If I have to have an iso image,
> where do I get the cd images?
> Thanks a lot for any help.
> Jes
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Speakup mailing list
> Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
> http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup

-- 
Who is General Failure and why is he reading my hard disk?

_______________________________________________
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Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup

Re: Debian or slackware?

[Thomas Stivers]

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

On 11/16/03 10:15 AM -0600, Glenn Ervin at home wrote:
> Alex,
> is there another site to download slackware?
> The link you provided seems to either be a bad link, or the site is down at
> the time.

When I went there it seemed okay, but I have noticed that several
slackware mirrors don't have the isos, and you may want to check out
bittorrent to download it. you can google for bittorrent, and the
slackware page for it is

http://www.slackware.com/torrents/index.html

Just a suggestion.

- -- 
Unix is a user friendly operating system. It just picks its friends more
carefully than others.
Thomas Stivers	e-mail: stivers_t@tomass.dyndns.org	gpg: 45CBBABD
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Re: Debian or slackware?

[Alex Snow]

you can try
ftp://distro.ibiblio.org/pub/linux/distributions/slackware/slackware-9.1-iso
On 
Sun, Nov 16, 2003 at 10:15:18AM -0600, Glenn Ervin at home wrote:
> Alex,
> is there another site to download slackware?
> The link you provided seems to either be a bad link, or the site is down at
> the time.
> Glenn.
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Alex Snow" <alex_snow@gmx.net>
> To: "Jes and guide dog Harley" <jesman598@triad.rr.com>; "Speakup is a
> screen review system for Linux." <speakup@braille.uwo.ca>
> Sent: Sunday, November 16, 2003 8:30 AM
> Subject: Re: Debian or slackware?
> 
> 
> Hi.
> I would go with slackware. it was my first distro and I still use it.
> I found it's install easier since the latest version comes with
> speakup stock and this is not the case with debian.
> one more advantage is slackware comes on only 2 cd's (actually 4 but
> that last two are source code). so all you need is on those first 2
> disks. if you don't want gnome or kde you only need the first cd but
> the second one is also a really cool rescue disk so it's worth
> downloading.
> you can get the iso images from
> ftp://ftp.eunet.be/pub/linux/slackware/slackware-9.1-iso
> On
> Sun, Nov 16, 2003 at 12:53:30AM -0500, Jes and guide dog Harley wrote:
> > Folks, I have a few questions about my first installation of Linux. I'm
> wondering since I am a total newby, if I should go with
> > debian woodie/potato first, or try slackware 9.1 for a trial run? I don't
> need a lot of packages right now, I want a lot but don't
> > need a lot for an introduction to Linux, and I figure that if I'm going to
> get really introduced to it the less packages, the
> > better. This way, I can be more focused on the structure of the operating
> system itself, rather than on what packages do what and
> > which ones I have installed, etc. My final question is, I know that to
> install Debian's packages you must have an iso image of the
> > cd unless you want to do a network install (which I'm not planning on.)
> but what about slackware? If I have to have an iso image,
> > where do I get the cd images?
> > Thanks a lot for any help.
> > Jes
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Speakup mailing list
> > Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
> > http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
> 
> -- 
> Who is General Failure and why is he reading my hard disk?
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Speakup mailing list
> Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
> http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Speakup mailing list
> Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
> http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup

-- 
Who is General Failure and why is he reading my hard disk?

Re: Debian or slackware?

[Chris Gilland]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jes and guide dog Harley" <jesman598@triad.rr.com>
To: <speakup@braille.uwo.ca>
Sent: Sunday, November 16, 2003 12:53 AM
Subject: Debian or slackware?


> Folks, I have a few questions about my first installation of Linux. I'm
wondering since I am a total newby, if I should go with
> debian woodie/potato first, or try slackware 9.1 for a trial run?
Firstly, Jes, I don't really consider you all that much of a newbie...  I
mean, you certainly seem to know a bit more than myself...  not that this is
a game of compitition guys...  let me ask ya this jes, do you plan on
wanting in the long run to run any servers, like http, ftp, or anything like
that?

If so, then Slackware 9.1 will probably be your best bet, as I hear that it
is great, for running servers...  not completely sure why, uh, prince, maybe
you can help me out here...

Anyway...


I don't need a lot of packages right now, I want a lot but don't
> need a lot for an introduction to Linux, and I figure that if I'm going to
get really introduced to it the less packages, the
> better. This way, I can be more focused on the structure of the operating
system itself, rather than on what packages do what and
> which ones I have installed, etc.
Well, i'm not sure...  it kind of depends on you, as an individual...  In my
case, I know i'd want as many packages as possible this way i wouldn't have
to spend the headaches later trying to get them and get them installed...
again though, that's really totally up to you...


My final question is, I know that to install Debian's packages you must have
an iso image of the
> cd unless you want to do a network install (which I'm not planning on.)
but what about slackware? If I have to have an iso image,
> where do I get the cd images?

jes, there are I think like 4 CD's to Slackware 9.1 but I believe the last
two are just source code, so it's up to you whether you want them, but
you'll certainly need the first two CD's...  Especially if you wanna use
Gnome with Gnopernicus.


Anyway, jes, get the Iso files from:

ftp://ftp.eunet.be/pub/linux/slackware/slackware-9.1-iso
You could also get them from bittorrent but that will take a lot
longer then just downloading them from the above ftp site.


> Thanks a lot for any help.

You betchuhh bro!



Chris.


> Jes
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Speakup mailing list
> Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
> http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
>

Re: Debian or slackware?

[Aaron Cannon]

[-- Attachment #1: Type: text/plain, Size: 845 bytes --]

At 10:05 AM 11/16/03, Chris Gilland wrote:
<snip>

> > jes, there are I think like 4 CD's to Slackware 9.1 but I believe the last
> > two are just source code, so it's up to you whether you want them, but
> > you'll certainly need the first two CD's...  Especially if you wanna use
> > Gnome with Gnopernicus.



I disagree.  I had much better results with bittorrent.  Also, I really 
like the idea of distributing the bandwidth among users, instead of having 
one or two sites primarily carry the load.


--
"It makes me mad when people say I turned and ran like a scared rabbit. 
Maybe it was like an angry rabbit, who was going to fight in another fight, 
away from the first fight."
--   "Deep Thoughts" by Jack Handy

PGP Key: "Aaron Cannon <cannona@fireantproductions.com>"
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Re: Debian or slackware?

[Alex Snow]

I tried bittorrent. took 6 hours to grab the first cd so I dropped it 
and downloaded the second and third cds in like an hour each.
On Sun, Nov 
16, 2003 at 12:57:05PM -0700, Aaron Cannon wrote:
> At 10:05 AM 11/16/03, Chris Gilland wrote:
> <snip>
> 
> >> jes, there are I think like 4 CD's to Slackware 9.1 but I believe the 
> >last
> >> two are just source code, so it's up to you whether you want them, but
> >> you'll certainly need the first two CD's...  Especially if you wanna use
> >> Gnome with Gnopernicus.
> 
> 
> 
> I disagree.  I had much better results with bittorrent.  Also, I really 
> like the idea of distributing the bandwidth among users, instead of having 
> one or two sites primarily carry the load.
> 
> 
> --
> "It makes me mad when people say I turned and ran like a scared rabbit. 
> Maybe it was like an angry rabbit, who was going to fight in another fight, 
> away from the first fight."
> --   "Deep Thoughts" by Jack Handy
> 
> PGP Key: "Aaron Cannon <cannona@fireantproductions.com>"
> Finger Print: 7110 F4AF 82B9 1C1A 5875 8F7A CB72 9AA9 C315 0FE6

> 
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> Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
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-- 
Who is General Failure and why is he reading my hard disk?

Re: Debian or slackware?

[Aaron Cannon]

[-- Attachment #1: Type: text/plain, Size: 2263 bytes --]

Yeah, it can be funny like that.  It took me almost a day to get one of the 
cds, but the others all came through at 130KIBs, wich is a nice speed to 
witness. =)


At 01:12 PM 11/16/03, Alex Snow wrote:

>I tried bittorrent. took 6 hours to grab the first cd so I dropped it
>and downloaded the second and third cds in like an hour each.
>On Sun, Nov
>16, 2003 at 12:57:05PM -0700, Aaron Cannon wrote:
> > At 10:05 AM 11/16/03, Chris Gilland wrote:
> > <snip>
> >
> > >> jes, there are I think like 4 CD's to Slackware 9.1 but I believe the
> > >last
> > >> two are just source code, so it's up to you whether you want them, but
> > >> you'll certainly need the first two CD's...  Especially if you wanna use
> > >> Gnome with Gnopernicus.
> >
> >
> >
> > I disagree.  I had much better results with bittorrent.  Also, I really
> > like the idea of distributing the bandwidth among users, instead of having
> > one or two sites primarily carry the load.
> >
> >
> > --
> > "It makes me mad when people say I turned and ran like a scared rabbit.
> > Maybe it was like an angry rabbit, who was going to fight in another 
> fight,
> > away from the first fight."
> > --   "Deep Thoughts" by Jack Handy
> >
> > PGP Key: "Aaron Cannon <cannona@fireantproductions.com>"
> > Finger Print: 7110 F4AF 82B9 1C1A 5875 8F7A CB72 9AA9 C315 0FE6
>
> >
> > ---
> > Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free by AVG antivirus.
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> > _______________________________________________
> > Speakup mailing list
> > Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
> > http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
>
>
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>Who is General Failure and why is he reading my hard disk?
>
>_______________________________________________
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--
"It makes me mad when people say I turned and ran like a scared rabbit. 
Maybe it was like an angry rabbit, who was going to fight in another fight, 
away from the first fight."
--   "Deep Thoughts" by Jack Handy

PGP Key: "Aaron Cannon <cannona@fireantproductions.com>"
Finger Print: 7110 F4AF 82B9 1C1A 5875 8F7A CB72 9AA9 C315 0FE6

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Re: Debian or slackware?

[Erik Heil]

yeah, that app sucks for downloading.  Bandwidth is terrible for a lack of
better words.  From a good FTP mirror, I average about 360 Kbps.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Alex Snow" <alex_snow@gmx.net>
To: "Speakup is a screen review system for Linux." <speakup@braille.uwo.ca>
Sent: Sunday, November 16, 2003 3:12 PM
Subject: Re: Debian or slackware?


> I tried bittorrent. took 6 hours to grab the first cd so I dropped it
> and downloaded the second and third cds in like an hour each.
> On Sun, Nov
> 16, 2003 at 12:57:05PM -0700, Aaron Cannon wrote:
> > At 10:05 AM 11/16/03, Chris Gilland wrote:
> > <snip>
> >
> > >> jes, there are I think like 4 CD's to Slackware 9.1 but I believe the
> > >last
> > >> two are just source code, so it's up to you whether you want them,
but
> > >> you'll certainly need the first two CD's...  Especially if you wanna
use
> > >> Gnome with Gnopernicus.
> >
> >
> >
> > I disagree.  I had much better results with bittorrent.  Also, I really
> > like the idea of distributing the bandwidth among users, instead of
having
> > one or two sites primarily carry the load.
> >
> >
> > --
> > "It makes me mad when people say I turned and ran like a scared rabbit.
> > Maybe it was like an angry rabbit, who was going to fight in another
fight,
> > away from the first fight."
> > --   "Deep Thoughts" by Jack Handy
> >
> > PGP Key: "Aaron Cannon <cannona@fireantproductions.com>"
> > Finger Print: 7110 F4AF 82B9 1C1A 5875 8F7A CB72 9AA9 C315 0FE6
>
> >
> > ---
> > Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free by AVG antivirus.
> > Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
> > Version: 6.0.541 / Virus Database: 335 - Release Date: 11/14/03
>
> > _______________________________________________
> > Speakup mailing list
> > Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
> > http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
>
>
> -- 
> Who is General Failure and why is he reading my hard disk?
>
> _______________________________________________
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