Chapter 5: Slackware Linux 8.0

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Overview

Slackware Linux is one of the older distributions that is still actively developed. It was created in 1993 by Patrick Volkerding, making it a predecessor to both of this book's other sample distributions, Red Hat Linux and Debian. Due to this longevity (as well as the reliable quality of the distribution), Slackware is generally considered one of the most stalwart Linux distributions.

After reading this chapter, you will have a working understanding of a Slackware system. After reading Chapters 4 and 6 as well, you will have seen three different Linux distributions, and should gain some significant insight into the functioning of any Linux system, as well as their power and flexibility.

This chapter will discuss Slackware Linux 8.0 (sometimes referred to simply as Slackware) in detail. To get a basic understanding of what goes into a distribution, readers should review Chapter 3. Additionally, much of this chapter is based on illustrating features of Slackware by comparing them to the equivalent features in Red Hat Linux; that is, this chapter builds on Chapter 4 in part by contrasting the two distributions, so it may be useful for you to also review Chapter 4. It's important to remember throughout your reading that these comparisons are not intended to argue that either distribution is superior, but only to illustrate different techniques.

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