Before doing the Slackware, I thought I'd go back and install Calera 3.1.1 again now that I've gotten a little better at the installation process. It, like SuSE 8.0 mounts all my drives: hd #2, my external usb drive and puts all the fat icons on the desk top as well.

The other thing I notice is an easier interface for the LAN setup.

Must be an older version of KMail because I'm having trouble with the server settings. But, must say I like many of the features better than RedHat or Mandrake.

Craftyc,

Ok. Ready to try Slackware. Have the 8.1 iso, but note that the full 8.1 download is much larger. Got nearly 1GB of files and nearly done. Just made boot and root disks hoping I can install from the hd.

Did you made install cd's from the full 8.1 download or use the 1 cd iso? If the former, how did make the 2? cd's.

Guess what? I installed Slackware 8.1, using the 5 diskettes and the 8.1 iso. So far so good.


....meanwhile.......some hours later........

Given additional experience I reinstalled SuSE 8.0. The installation is much more automated than Slackware and the packages are nearly as recent. I find SuSE 8.0 a better choice for me. It is convenient that SuSE mounts all my drives and displays the fat partitions, automatically. Like to checkout Slackware after its next major upgrade. SuSE beats Red Hat 7.3 and Mandrake 8.2 for ease of installation too.

[quote:5008bc2c36][i:5008bc2c36]Originally posted by rikytik [/i:5008bc2c36]
[b]Guess what? I installed Slackware 8.1, using the 5 diskettes and the 8.1 iso. So far so good.


....meanwhile.......some hours later........

Given additional experience I reinstalled SuSE 8.0. The installation is much more automated than Slackware and the packages are nearly as recent. I find SuSE 8.0 a better choice for me. It is convenient that SuSE mounts all my drives and displays the fat partitions, automatically. Like to checkout Slackware after its next major upgrade. SuSE beats Red Hat 7.3 and Mandrake 8.2 for ease of installation too. [/quote:5008bc2c36]

But you learn nothing about Linux. That is one of the reasons I like Gentoo. There is no hand holding during the installation (although the installation guide is *the* best I have ever seen). You learn a lot about what actually happens during an installation, you configure your own kernel, it's all pretty funky really.

Noting your enthusiasm for Gentoo, I'm gonna try to find it and give it a try. I love this stuff. I'm a "machanic" by nature.

Couple days later..........Ok, craftyc. I downloaded it this am and just read the install instructions. You are right. This is what a newbie old time dos guy should do. Learn some basics.

Good of you to keep "insisting". <heh heh>

[quote:cdb53132d3][i:cdb53132d3]Originally posted by craftyc [/i:cdb53132d3]
[b]

But you learn nothing about Linux. That is one of the reasons I like Gentoo. There is no hand holding during the installation (although the installation guide is *the* best I have ever seen). You learn a lot about what actually happens during an installation, you configure your own kernel, it's all pretty funky really. [/quote:cdb53132d3]

Save that I dont want to start a flame war here but when one installs Slackware and runs it He/She learns lots of things !

1- You will have to recompile your kernel . Slackware wont give you new precompiled kernels

2- You will have to configure basic networks/firewall etc

3- You will mostly compile your programs and that will teach you a lot about linux

<rant>
Now about Gentoo :cool:

Yes you get the system up running by hand but you just emerge foo then it compiles/installs you doont hack configure / Makefiles ( which I done several times on slackware ) . You dont use optional configurations for compilation ( which is mostly useful and needed ) . Other than that gentoo is cool. :D

[quote:a082639b9d][i:a082639b9d]Originally posted by CARTMAN [/i:a082639b9d]
[b]
Save that I dont want to start a flame war here but when one installs Slackware and runs it He/She learns lots of things !

1- You will have to recompile your kernel . Slackware wont give you new precompiled kernels

2- You will have to configure basic networks/firewall etc

3- You will mostly compile your programs and that will teach you a lot about linux
<rant>
Now about Gentoo :cool:

Yes you get the system up running by hand but you just emerge foo then it compiles/installs you doont hack configure / Makefiles ( which I done several times on slackware ) . You dont use optional configurations for compilation ( which is mostly useful and needed ) . Other than that gentoo is cool. :D [/quote:a082639b9d]

1) Same with Gentoo :). No problems there. All the Gentoo ebuild provides is a (heavily) patched kernel (but still works pretty damn quick)
2) Same with Gentoo :)
3) Well this is where Gentoo differs. You say correctly that you emerge them. I don't know what Slackware's package management system is like, but portage is just a quick and easy way to maintain applications.

Well technically you can hack configure / makefiles. You can use the "emerge -f foo" option which will fetch the package, then you can do what you want with it. For optional configurations, there are the USE settings. Set them up correctly and you will have only what you want compiled.

I might consider trying Slackware out to see how good it is though.

Downloaded Gentoo this am. The boot disc and install disc make a fast download (16MB, and 135MB respectively) REading the install instructions I can see that this is the way for a newbie to go. Opportunity to understand commands and configuration which the automatic installs don't require you to know about.

Good of you to "insist".

You're welcome :D.

Anyway's a little aside. The Gentoo forums don't seem to be working, however you can catch us at irc.openproject.net and join #gentoo.

Good Luck.