So I think I'm hardcore enough to start with Slackware...

[ataraxia]

(the title of this thread is decidedly sarcastic)
I'm relatively new to GNU. I've used Red Hat a few times, but I've never installed any Linux distribution onto my own computer.
I'm also kind of tired of user-friendly stuff. I'd much rather spend some time learning how the OS works the computer and be able to customize it than have something that "just works"; that's mainly why I'm not going for Ubuntu (or Vector Linux, Slackware's easy-to-use redheaded cousin). I don't really know all too much about computers, and that's not really okay with me especially considering how much time I spend using them.
So I'm pretty sure I'd like to use Slackware, and I'm also pretty sure I'm patient enough to spend time installing it and configuring it to do what I want.
I don't, however, know anyone who's experienced with Slackware or anything like it aside from the people on &totse, though. I found this and while it looks like it can show me everything I need, I'm not sure if I need everything in that guide (for example, I currently have no desire to run an Apache server, especially considering that I don't even have a steady Internet connection).
Also, I'll need to choose a window system. I've heard you guys badmouthing KDE, and GNOME doesn't come with Slackware, and while Xfce sounds nice I'd still like to hear your opinions on this one.
In short, what do I do to go from "nowhere" to "Slackware installed, drive partitioned" that isn't mentioned in the guide?
Also, if there's someone else or somewhere else I should ask, where is that?

Oh, man, look what I found. Can someone take a look at this and tell me how accurate/reliable it is? Also, thanks, Quintura.

Most Slackware documentation is outdated.
One thing newbies generaly fails to understand is Slackware comes with many different pre-compiled kernels, you need to choose among those which fits better with your machine; or compile another yourself.
Slackware has no package management, it is a real pain.

Slackware used to be a great learning tool, but it seriously lack uptodate documentation.
Unless you have an old computer, i advise you go with either Gentoo or Arch Linux instead.
If what you really want is a slackware like, but more uptodate system, go with Zenwalk.

As for the Window/Desktop Manager, Xfce is great, it's not cryptic like Fluxbox, and lightweight.
But really a Window Manager is more a matter of personal preference, try them all, see which one you prefer.

I skimmed through the guide you found, it's more about general Unix basics. I doubt you will have any problems installing, just read the annoncment carefully:
http://slackware.com/announce/12.1.php

[ataraxia]

Originally Posted by zeusy

Most Slackware documentation is outdated.
One thing newbies generaly fails to understand is Slackware comes with many different pre-compiled kernels, you need to choose among those which fits better with your machine; or compile another yourself.
Slackware has no package management, it is a real pain.

...good to know. Luckily I'm at a university and there's bound to be someone I can get to help me.

Slackware used to be a great learning tool, but it seriously lack uptodate documentation.
Unless you have an old computer, i advise you go with either Gentoo or Arch Linux instead.
If what you really want is a slackware like, but more uptodate system, go with Zenwalk.

...ffs. If I say "I want to do X, can you help me do X" and your response is "X is hard, do Y", you haven't helped. You have, however, been condescending. Thanks.

As for the Window/Desktop Manager, Xfce is great, it's not cryptic like Fluxbox, and lightweight.
But really a Window Manager is more a matter of personal preference, try them all, see which one you prefer.

Sounds good to me.

I skimmed through the guide you found, it's more about general Unix basics. I doubt you will have any problems installing, just read the annoncment carefully:
http://slackware.com/announce/12.1.php

Thanks for the link.
I won't be installing anything until the weekend, though, so I'll let you know how it goes then.

Originally Posted by ataraxia

I'm also kind of tired of user-friendly stuff. I'd much rather spend some time learning how the OS works the computer and be able to customize it than have something that "just works"

A very user friendly Distribution will make a great introduction for somebody who's a complete noob to Gnu/Linux, or somebody who just wants to get on with things and really has no particular interest in the system. If you feel like you've had your introduction and now feel like you want to step up to something which will be more beneficial when it comes to learning, then carry on. You say you would like to learn how the 'OS works the computer'..have you thought about programming at all?..I'm sure you'll learn a great deal about computers if you take that root.

I don't really know all too much about computers, and that's not really okay with me especially considering how much time I spend using them.

Well, I suppose it all depends on, if you're going to the right sources and what subject you intend to study and how you study it. I find it best to just pick a certain topic related to computers (anything of your interest)..Then look it up on places like google, wikipeda, howstuffworks, sites like that, then after that proceed to find a specific book/ebook on that topic or a book/ebook that would cover the topic extensively. Take one topic at a time and try not to get distracted.

Also, I'll need to choose a window system. I've heard you guys badmouthing KDE, and GNOME doesn't come with Slackware, and while Xfce sounds nice I'd still like to hear your opinions on this one.

When it comes to Gnu/Linux try to look at it like there is no right or wrong answer. Where you find people bad mouthing KDE, you will find people bad mouthing GNOME, where there will be other people bad mouthing Xfce. Try not to take anybody's opinions too serious and always look at the points made about each wm and then compare to which would be more suitable for you and what you want to do. So really, you should think where you want to be with it and where you want to take it.

I'm relatively knew to Gnu/Linux myself, and also feel like stepping up to something which would be more educational. I did make a post about it, but I am still yet to decide which distribution to go with.

It'll be useful if you were to try out a few of the distro's mentioned and then report back here with your experience and opinions.

[KING G]

So so so, you decided to become a man, welcome then!

First of all, don't be afraid of people say about slackware being too user-unfriendly, it's simply too traditional, you'll find it more different than the more mainstream distros, but very customizable, to an amazing degree.

Installation is easy, but I recommend you get the DVD rather than anything else.

Once you install it, you'll end up with a command-line, unlike virtually other distros, it won't boot up GDM or some shit like that, it'll just start with a good ol' Unix console. Log in and type startx.

If you want to change your window manager type wmconfig.

If you want GNOME (it doesn't come by default with Slackware), try this http://gnomeslackbuild.org/ or google dropline.

Installing shit is usually done in two ways: Download a .tgz package and run "installpkg package.tgz" on it, or compile it from source.

Or you could get something like slapt or some shit and have a more debian-like installer, I do not recommend this.

Either ways, don't listen to what anyone says about it, just try it yourself and see what happens, good luck

[ataraxia]

Update: Holy crap I've been too damn busy to get anywhere.
Anyway... the installation instructions tell me to make a boot disk from a floppy. Can I make one from a flash drive instead? The laptop I'm using has no floppy drive and I have no way to get one.
1 gig should be enough space for a boot disk, right?
I think I've got just about everything else figured out... fdisk should let me keep my Vista partition (needed for powerpoint for, ironically, CS class, which is at the same time the reason I decided to switch in the first place. Oh, irony, wherefore dost thou torment me so?). Midori looks awesome (it's basically sold me on Xfce with it's Acid3-fu), so do irssi, pan, and Amarok; I'm assuming gcc and emacs come with Xfce so that should be all I need.

[KING G]

Originally Posted by ataraxia

Update: Holy crap I've been too damn busy to get anywhere.
Anyway... the installation instructions tell me to make a boot disk from a floppy. Can I make one from a flash drive instead? The laptop I'm using has no floppy drive and I have no way to get one.
1 gig should be enough space for a LILO boot disk, right?

Hahahah.

Ok first of all.

Yes you can use a USB flash the installation should offer that at one point, what version are you installing?

Second of all, you really don't need it, mbr will do, even if you screw it up you can revert it (pretty easily if you're using Windows).

Third, if it will on a 3.5mb floppy drive it will fit on a 1000mb flash drive (But it's going to delete everything in it), perfect logic eh?

[BiOPSY]

Don't listen to these fuckers that are being condescending.

I started with Slackware 1.2.1 when it required installation from over 40 1.44 MB floppy diskettes. It was fucking cake.

[ataraxia]

It works! For the most part, at least. One outstanding issue: I can't figure out how to configure the wireless card. Slackbook.org tells me the modules for the wireless card will be in the lib/modules/`uname-r`/pcmcia directory, only there is no such directory. According to one source, the e1000e driver works with my laptop (the ThinkPad T61), so I know what driver I'd like to use, but I don't know where it is or how to install it.

[KING G]

Originally Posted by ataraxia

It works! For the most part, at least. One outstanding issue: I can't figure out how to configure the wireless card. Slackbook.org tells me the modules for the wireless card will be in the lib/modules/`uname-r`/pcmcia directory, only there is no such directory. According to one source, the e1000e driver works with my laptop (the ThinkPad T61), so I know what driver I'd like to use, but I don't know where it is or how to install it.

First of all try to see if the wireless card is even supported by default.

Run iwlist on the interface.