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Slackware VS DistroWatch

Compare Slackware VS DistroWatch and see what are their differences

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LibHunt tracks mentions of software libraries on relevant social networks. Based on that data, you can find the most popular projects and their alternatives. featured
Contents:
  1. ยป Base Details
  2. ยป Videos
  3. ยป Reviews
  4. ยป Alternatives

Slackware logo Slackware

Slackware Linux is an advanced Linux operating system, designed with the twin goals of ease of use...

DistroWatch logo DistroWatch

9 hours ago - It does include a proprietary software set optimized for business users, students, researchers and developers." A list of features and further details can be found in the company's release announcement.
  • Slackware Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-04-20
  • DistroWatch Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-01-26

Slackware features and specs

  • Simplicity
    Slackware follows a philosophy of simplicity and minimalism, providing a system that is free from unnecessary layers or GUIs, allowing users to have more control over their environment.
  • Stability
    The distribution is known for its stability as it uses well-tested components and avoids including any experimental features.
  • Unix-Like Experience
    Slackware provides a very Unix-like experience, which is appealing to advanced users looking to work closer to the system's core without abstractive layers.
  • Customization
    With Slackware's minimal default setup, users can customize their system extensively according to their needs and preferences.
  • Comprehensive Documentation
    Slackwareโ€™s documentation and supportive community help users understand the system better and solve issues on their own.

Possible disadvantages of Slackware

  • Steep Learning Curve
    Slackware can be challenging for beginners due to its manual configuration requirements and lack of GUIs for system management.
  • Limited Package Management
    Unlike other distributions with advanced package management systems (e.g., APT, YUM), Slackware relies on a more manual approach, making software management potentially cumbersome.
  • Fewer Automated Tools
    Slackware lacks some automated tools that other distributions provide, requiring users to perform more manual setup and maintenance tasks.
  • Slower Release Cycle
    Its slower release cycle means that the distribution might not always provide the latest software versions, which may not appeal to users wanting the most current applications.
  • Less Commercial Support
    Compared to more popular distributions, Slackware has less commercial support, which could be a limitation for enterprise environments looking for professional assistance.

DistroWatch features and specs

  • Comprehensive Database
    DistroWatch provides a thorough list of active Linux distributions, which is helpful for users seeking to explore various options and find the right one for their needs.
  • Distribution Popularity Ranking
    The site features a page hit ranking system that gives an indication of the popularity of distributions, which can guide users toward more widely supported and updated options.
  • News and Updates
    Regularly updated news and release announcements keep users informed about the latest developments in the Linux and open-source software world.
  • Reviews and Summaries
    DistroWatch offers reviews and summaries for many distributions, providing insights into their strengths and weaknesses without needing to test each one individually.
  • User Resources
    The site includes links to official distribution sites, download mirrors, forums, and documentation, making it easier for users to find support and further information.

Possible disadvantages of DistroWatch

  • Popularity Metrics Limitations
    The page hit ranking may not accurately reflect a distribution's true popularity or quality, as it only counts page visits rather than usage metrics.
  • Overwhelming for Beginners
    Newcomers to Linux might find the vast array of distributions and information overwhelming and challenging to navigate without guidance.
  • Community-Driven Content
    Information and reviews on DistroWatch largely rely on community contributions, which can lead to variability in the quality and reliability of the content.
  • Niche Focus
    While DistroWatch is highly valuable for Linux enthusiasts, it has limited appeal to users not interested in open-source operating systems, narrowing its audience.
  • Outdated Information Risk
    Some distribution pages might not be frequently updated, leading to potential issues with outdated information or dead links.

Analysis of Slackware

Overall verdict

  • Slackware is considered a good Linux distribution for users who prefer a stable, traditional, and straightforward Linux experience. However, it might not be the best choice for those looking for a more user-friendly or feature-rich distribution with extensive graphical user interfaces and tools.

Why this product is good

  • Slackware is one of the oldest Linux distributions. It is known for its simplicity and being a no-frills, Unix-like operating system. Its design philosophy emphasizes simplicity and transparency. Users appreciate the control it provides and the fact that it stays true to Unix principles. It's renowned for its stability, lack of unnecessary bells and whistles, and the control it offers to the user over the operating system.

Recommended for

    Slackware is recommended for advanced Linux users, system administrators, and those who appreciate the Unix design philosophy. It's particularly suitable for users who want to have full control over their system configuration and prefer manual software management and configuration.

Analysis of DistroWatch

Overall verdict

  • DistroWatch is generally considered a good resource for users interested in exploring the diverse world of Linux distributions. Its comprehensive database and news updates make it valuable for both new and experienced Linux users. However, the site should be used as a starting point for research, and users are encouraged to seek multiple sources to fully understand the strengths and weaknesses of each distribution.

Why this product is good

  • DistroWatch is a well-known website for tracking the popularity, releases, and news related to Linux distributions and other open-source operating systems. It provides insights into various Linux distributions, helping users make informed decisions about which distro might suit their needs. Additionally, it offers reviews, detailed information about each distribution, and a ranking system based on page hits, which can be indicative of a distribution's popularity or current interest levels.

Recommended for

    DistroWatch is recommended for anyone interested in learning about and comparing different Linux distributions, including newcomers to Linux, system administrators, hobbyists, and open-source enthusiasts. It is particularly useful for those who want to stay updated on new releases and trends within the Linux community.

Slackware videos

+ Add

Slackware 14 Install & Review

More videos:

DistroWatch videos

+ Add

Measuring Distro Popularity And Why Distrowatch's Page Hit Rankings Suck.

More videos:

  • Tutorial - How to Choose Your Linux Distribution - Distrowatch.com
  • Review - Let's talk Distrowatch!

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Slackware and DistroWatch)

Slackware

DistroWatch

Linux Distribution
14 14%
Linux Distribution
86% 86
Linux
8 8%
Linux
92% 92
Operating Systems
14 14%
Operating Systems
86% 86
Linux Distro
100 100%
Linux Distro
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Slackware and DistroWatch

Slackware Reviews

The best Linux distributions (operating systems)
Slackware is the oldest Linux variant still used and maintained today. Installation and configuration is performed via scripts. For users in search of the original Linux experience, Slackware is perhaps the best choice.
Source: www.ionos.com
Best Top 20 Ubuntu Linux Alternatives (Pros and Cons)
Slackware was designed by Patrick Volkerding in 1993. Based on the Softlanding Linux System, Slackware is the oldest Linux distribution still maintained. It strives not to anticipate user situations or preclude user decisions. Unlike most recent Linux distributions, Slackware does not offer graphical installation or automatic package dependency resolution. Slackware is...
Source: cloudinfrastructureservices.co.uk

DistroWatch Reviews

We have no reviews of DistroWatch yet.
Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, DistroWatch seems to be a lot more popular than Slackware. While we know about 289 links to DistroWatch, we've tracked only 4 mentions of Slackware. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Slackware mentions (4)

  • My first Linux installation!
    Congrats on making it past the slackware.com Install Help page that seeks to walk you through selection of non-existing boot and root floppy disks. Source: over 4 years ago
  • Slackware 15 multilib
    Using the slackware.uk mirror of Alienbob's content is a LOT faster than going to slackware.com:. Source: over 4 years ago
  • Slackware 15.0 x86 stable is released
    Stay tuned to http://slackware.com and the ##slackware IRC channel on. - Source: Hacker News / over 4 years ago
  • Slackware 15 is on the way
    No Date for release candidate, But Patrick Volkerding, on slackware.com. Source: almost 5 years ago

DistroWatch mentions (289)

  • Show HN: I've built a nice home server OS
    Me, too! I first thought it was just clickbait, but then I realized it was the author's genuine thought, which is sad. I wonder why the popular Linux distro ranking site DistroWatch [0] is not called "OSWatch"! Well, I don't. The "OS" is CentOS, and NixOS is just branding. NixOS is a huge mod, yet it's still a distro! This is what Wikipedia says about NixOS: > NixOS is a Linux distribution built around the Nix... - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
  • How Linux Is Used in Real-World Data Engineering
    Linux is free and open source, which means anyone can view, modify, and share the code. It comes in many versions called distributions (or โ€œdistrosโ€), each tuned for different needs. If you want to explore whatโ€™s out there, DistroWatch is a good place to browse. - Source: dev.to / 4 months ago
  • The Weirdest Linux Distros That Shouldnโ€™t Exist (But Absolutely Do)
    DistroWatch: Linux distribution database. - Source: dev.to / 9 months ago
  • DevOps Setting
    I'm currently operating and developing on an International Business Machines (IBM) LeNovo ThinkPad in a GNU Not GNU (GNU) / Free Libre UNipleXed Information X11 Computing System (Linux) XForms Common Environment (XFCE) based Ubuntu (Xubuntu) distro with only free libre open source software (FLOSS) under combined open source licenses and ethical source licenses, specially the Do No Harm Hippocratical License and... - Source: dev.to / 11 months ago
  • By Default, Signal Doesn't Recall
    Maybe not, but also polishing of the Linux desktop has happened regardless of this. In fact, it is what drove SteamOS. Please refer to the items on [1] as literally the top 8 distros were developed for this explicit purpose (making Linux more user friendly). [0] We can determine it to be true or false. [1] https://distrowatch.com/. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Slackware and DistroWatch, you can also consider the following products

Debian - Debian is a free distribution of the GNU/Linux operating system.

Linux Mint - Linux Mint is one of the most popular desktop Linux distributions and used by millions of people.

Gentoo - The website of Gentoo, a flexible Linux or BSD distribution.

Puppy Linux - Home, overview and getting started with Puppy Linux, amazingly fast, fascinatingly complete and delightfully small Linux.โ€ŽWiki ยทย โ€ŽDownload latest Puppy Linux .

Void Linux - Void is a general purpose operating system, based on the monolithic Linux kernel.

Ubuntu - Ubuntu is a Debian Linux-based open source operating system for desktop computers.

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