| Guest opinion: Does Slackware still matter? |
Oct. 26, 2005
Although Slackware was THE distro in the mid-90s (which is why I always say it's the best 1995 has to offer), at the present time it has conceded the corporate market (but of course Linux is not about market share, the Slackware zealots always remind me!) to Red Hat and SUSE, and the rest of the market to the many Debian derivatives, with the result that Slackware is now just a niche distro used by a very small minority of Linux users.
Of course, the word "small" is relative here... because I believe the current Slackware user base is in the area of 50,000.... maybe even as high as 100,000.
Unlike Slackware, most Linux distros have by now moved on toward newer and better (IMO) package management systems, as well as either full-fledged GUI admin modules or a collection of easy-to-run scripts that you can use to configure your system. Only in Slackware do you actually have to go in and edit xorg.conf. Just about every other distro has a GUI module or a script that will easily let you set the resolution or dpi of your display. That's NOT to say that editing xorg.conf is difficult... because it is not... but new Linux converts don't want to mess with it, and they WANT an easy, visual way to make these settings. They won't (maybe never?) find that with Slackware.
Slackware advocates always exclaim: "Slackware is easy once you understand it." The trouble is, there are so many other distros that are just as stable, and just as fast, and which you can use without having to get a Ph.D. in order to understand how to get your work done.
Slackware has become the distro of choice for both a hard-core group of hobbyists and a highly professional group of Linux server administrators. And I say "highly professional," because that's what you have to be in order to know and understand how to admin this beast.
I don't know the economics of Slackware, and whether it continues to provide Patrick Volkerding with a sustainable living, but I have to assume it does. Whether it will continue to do so, given the competition with distos like Kanotix (which is what Debian would be if it were Slackware ... or is that vice versa?) and Ubuntu, is anyone's guess. (As it is so often repeated on the net, "ubuntu' is an African word meaning "I can't figure out how to configure Slackware.")
If you want a Slackware distro that approaches the "modern age," I think you want to look at Vector. It's the only thing out there that has a chance against the hot new Debian distro derivatives.
I think Slackware has a lot going for it... but not enough for it to sustain itself should Linux become as popular as the pundits say it will. To those who run and who love Slackware, that's fine. To the rest of us, well, it doesn't matter.
About the author: Alan Canton is the president of Adams-Blake Company of Fair Oaks, Calif., which provides the JAYA123 Web-based back office application for small and mid-size businesses.
Do you have comments on this story?
talkback here
Please Note: The opinions expressed in this guest column are those of the writer, not of the management or staff of Linux-Watch.com.
(Click here for further information)
|
|
|
7 Advantages of D2D Backup
For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.
4 Legal Reasons to Control Internet Access
The Internet is obviously a valuable resource for many organizations. However, many are exposed to legal liability concerns because they fail to control Internet access. Learn if you're safe in this white paper.
Rapidly Resolve J2EE Application Problems
Whether you are in the process of building J2EE applications or have J2EE applications already running in production, you must ensure that they deliver the expected ROI. Learn how in this white paper.
Load Testing 2.0 for Web 2.0
There are many unknowns in stress testing Web 2.0 applications. Find out how to test the performance of Web 2.0 in this white paper.
Build Better Games Online
For the game infrastructure providers, life is complex. Making money from games has become more complicated. Why? Find out in this white paper.
Building a Virtual Infrastructure from Servers to Storage
This white paper discusses the virtual storage solutions that reduce cost, increase storage utilization, and address the challenges of backing up and restoring Server environments.
Gaining Faster Wireless Connections with WiMAX
Welcome to what is quickly becoming the hyperconnected world where anything that would benefit from being connected to the network will be connected. Learn more in this white paper.
Is Your Desktop a Security Threat?
The new wave of sophisticated crimeware not only targets specific companies, but also targets desktops and laptops as backdoor entryways into those business’ operations and resources. Learn how to stay safe in this white paper.
Increasing SAN Reliability by 100 Percent
Storage area networks (SAN) are a strong part of storage plans. Learn how to increase your reliability and uptime by 100 percent in this case study.
|
|
|
|
|
news feed