Until recently, installing Linux was a rite of passage involving manually compiling kernels, hunting for obscure drivers on FTP sites, and praying that your XConfig doesn't blow up your monitor. But Patrick Volkerding has changed the game with Slackware.
The "Distribution" Concept
Slackware isn't the first attempt at a Linux collection (we had SLS before this), but it's the first one that actually feels stable. It’s a "distribution"-a curated set of software, including the 0.99pl11 kernel, the GNU tools, XFree86, and even games like Doom (well, soon, hopefully).
The installation is still a marathon. You have to download dozens of floppy disk images (the A series, the N series for networking, the X series for the GUI). But once you have them, the setup program actually guides you through the process.
The Unix Experience at Home
For those of us who grew up on SunOS or Ultrix at work, having a real Unix-like environment on a 386 at home is a dream come true. Slackware stays very close to the traditional BSD-style init scripts, which makes it feel familiar and transparent.
# Installing a package in Slackware is refreshingly simple
# (if you have the .tgz file)
pkgtool
# Or manually:
tar -xzvf package.tgz -C /
The "Slack" Philosophy
The name comes from the "Church of the SubGenius," reflecting the hacker culture of the time. It’s about not taking things too seriously, while taking the code very seriously.
I don't know if Linux will ever "overtake" Windows on the desktop, but with Slackware, it's no longer just a toy for kernel hackers. It’s a tool for developers. We're seeing the beginning of a world where the OS is something you can understand and control, rather than just a black box you buy from a big corporation. Just make sure you have a lot of blank floppies ready.