[Wolves] Slackware

[David Goodwin]

> Is it worth persuing Slackware?


Pros:

1) It doesn't tend to use as much resources than SuSE/RedHat etc
2) The packages generally have no custom modifications, so resemble 
closely what the developer(s) produced/support etc.
3) -current tree available for up to date bleeding-edge versions. From 
experience this is very stable.
4) Update tools like swaret or slapt-get are available to download and 
install packages for you.
5) The oldest commercial distro...
6) Unpatched kernel - unlike RedHat/SuSE.. some argue this results in 
greater stability



Cons:

1) Doesn't have such a huge pool of packages as Debian and friends.
2) Lacks any real commercial support  (e.g. by Oracle etc).
3) You might end up compiling packages for your own use.. although this 
is good (learning experience etc), it eventually gets a bit boring and 
tedious, and a right pain in the buttock when you end up doing a complex 
system with many dependencies.
4) Doesn't use sysV style init scripts (i.e. /etc/init.d/smb etc). It 
does support them however, if you wish to install your own custom ones.



-- 
David Goodwin
Open Minds High Availability Solutions
T: +44 (0) 121 313 3947
E: david.goodwin at openminds.co.uk