| Guest opinion: Why Slackware DOES still matter! |
Nov. 21, 2005
It was unfortunate that in his recent opinion piece, Does Slackware still matter?, rather than give quantifiable, well-thought reasons why Slackware may no longer be a viable distribution (an assumption which I infer from the title), guest Alan Canton simply took nearly 500 words to express what could have been summarized in one sentence: "Linux, as an operating system, is too complex for me." Rather than simply bash him in defense of Slackware, I prefer to take on his arguments point-for-point. Given the tone of the article in question, please forgive me if my rebuttal is similarly tongue-in-cheek.
(Editor's note: Italicized paragraphs are quotations from Canton's guest column.)
Canton: 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.
First, the idea that something is easy once you understand it goes without saying. What Slackware advocates are telling you is that in order to truely appreciate Slackware for what it is, you must learn how Linux works first, because Slackware is just unadulterated Linux. Secondly, I would question what other major distros are faster than Slackware after a default install that Al would consider administrable. Damn Small Linux? It is certainly faster, but easy to install and administer? No more than Slackware. And certainly not Gentoo... which is the only distribution I have heard used in the same sentence with "Ph.D."
The mistake that Alan makes is not defining from the outset what constitutes a viable distribution to him. At least I assume that this is what his contention with Slackware is. Seemingly, the only support for his position is that other distros are more popular, and that they are so because they are easier to administer.
I would assert that a distribution's viability is based on its usefulness to a user-base, regardless of the size of that user-base. Other distributions do indeed cater to an audience that enjoys as little administrative effort and customization as necessary. And as the vast majority of users are not Hackers or Geeks (in the idiomatic sense), that is why other distributions enjoy the lion's share of popularity. Alan seems to have some other ideas....
Canton: 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.
Since when has the financial remuneration provided by Free Software or the degree of corporatization of it equated to its value? Linux, GNU, and thousands of other free software projects thrive because of passion. That's right, passion. Perhaps this is why we don't see Richard Stallman being driven around in a Bentley, or why Linus Torvalds doesn't house himself in a deep underground bunker like the creators of some competing operating systems do. They created Linux from a passion. Maybe that's why I don't see Debian suffering due to Katonix or Ubuntu either.
Still not convinced? Alright, let's take on the numbers game....
Slackware survives on DistroWatch's Top Ten for a reason. Similarly, Slackware survives as the oldest distribution of Linux still maintained for a reason. These two simple facts alone are enough to counter the statistical assertion that Slackware doesn't matter: it has a significant, consistent user-base.
Canton: 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."
What's so difficult about downloading a program and typing "installpkg" and the package name? That's as close as you're going to get to "Windows ease of use" -- which, forgive me, is what it sounds like you want. Installing Mozilla Firefox this way, for instance, has to be multiples faster than using the Mozilla installer. Certainly, Slackware's installer doesn't win any beauty contests, but it's fast, it's easy, and it's stable. And what's this about package management? Slackware's package management may not come installed, but that's because on Slackware, you have a choice of package managers! Swaret? Slapt-get? SlackUpdate? Take your pick! In fact, I would venture to guess that given its agnostic design, more packages are installable on Slackware than any other distribution.
Canton: 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.
That may be true, but then, that could be said of any other distribution as well. SUSE makes no bit of difference to me... or Mandriva, or Linspire, or.... but this is what makes Linux so great! CHOICE! If I hate Microsoft's installer, guess what? Too bad. If I don't like Mac OS X's user interface, guess what? Yep, you guessed it! Tough luck. Linux is a success because it is the only operating system flexible enough to be all things to all people.
So Al, I think you've missed the point entirely. Oh, and by the way, I write this article as a Linux newbie, straight out of the Windows world. I chose Slackware as my "distro of choice" and you know what? I love it. So Al, and all the naysayers that say Slackware doesn't matter... listen up: Here are some real tangible reasons Slack still matters to the desktop user....
I chose Slackware because I disliked other distributions' bloated installs. I chose it because it's fast. I chose Slackware because I wouldn't be stuck in "RPM Hell," or tied to a single set of packages or package management system. I chose Slackware because Slackware lets ME choose. I chose Slackware because it is a full system distribution that respects the software it distributes and installs it as closely to what the authors intended as possible. I chose Slackware because it is the nearest to Plain-Old-Linux as anyone can get, and that's what I wanted to learn: Linux.
So, does Slackware matter? Simply put, YES. Slackware matters because Slackware IS Linux.
-- by cRaig Forrester (treehead at gmail dot com)
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.
|
|
|
|
|
Use of this site is governed by our Terms of
Service and Privacy Policy.
Except where otherwise specified, the contents of this site are copyright © 1999-2008
Ziff Davis Enterprise Holdings Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Ziff Davis Enterprise is
prohibited. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.
news feed