Slackware
Overview
Slackware, created by Patrick Volkerding in 1993, is the oldest surviving Linux distribution. It takes a deliberately simple, Unix-like approach: no graphical administration tools, no dependency resolution — just a clean system that behaves like Unix should.
Slackware users tend to develop a deep understanding of Linux because the distribution forces you to learn how things work.
Key Facts
- Package format: .tgz (simple tarballs, no dependency tracking)
- Default desktop: KDE or WindowMaker
- Installer: Text-based, menu-driven
- Init system: BSD-style init scripts
- Website: www.slackware.com
Good For Newbies?
Honestly, Slackware is not the easiest starting point. It lacks the hand-holding of Mandrake or Red Hat. However, if you want to genuinely understand Linux at a deep level — and you don't mind reading lots of documentation — Slackware will teach you more than any other distro. Many experienced admins got their start here.