A number of people have switched from Linux to slackware due to bad experiences with Linux. This article will explore why some people have switched to slackware.While Ubuntu is immensely popular due to the ease of its use and user friendliness slackware still has some advantages that most users have not tried. Listed in no particular order they as follows:
1. The release cycle.
Ubuntu releases a new cycle every six months whether its prime time or not. Switching over to the latest versions confers enormous challenges such as glaring bugs that have to be eliminated by updates. With Ubuntu you have to continuously update the system not to mention that each new system brings with it a ‘bleeding edge’ features.Slackware is different as the releases come out only when it is absolutely necessary and the company is ready for it. By the time a new version of slackware is ready the system and accompanying software have been thoroughly tested and all the problems ironed out.Slackware developers put stability at the forefront and that conservatism leads to a very stable and reliable finished product.
2. Speed.
Slackware is faster as compared to ubuntu.This will lead to faster accomplishment of tasks. Speed alone can be the single biggest factor in making people choose slack over ubuntu.You don’t want to wait a whole couple of minutes waiting for executions to be performed. Though the latest versions of Ubuntu are a bit faster they still haven’t matched the speed of slack.
3. Stability.
You can expect slackware to function smoothly day in day out. With ubuntu you have to contend with the endless bleeding features and bugs that come with each new update. This point probably corresponds with the first point bbut it is important to emphasize it as users require systems that are stable and function efficiently.
4. Free choice of applications.
With slackware you decide what you want for your computer installation. You can freely customize your needs and hence choose an appropriate configuration and application for your system. Ubuntu comes with so much packed stuff that most people don’t really need. It is extremely bloated and quite an irritant at times.
5. The brown color.
Though it’s a default color scheme it can be changed to a suitable colour.The brown color is unpleasing to the eyes and even the bootsplash looks bad. With slackware however there is a beautiful framebuffer Tux picture and text boot messages then it goes to a default blue GDM (If it’s the one you selected during initial configuration) and then a cute KDE colorscheme.
Slackware is the oldest existing Linux distribution and it couldn’t e around this long by being sub-standard. The post install configuration of slackware may be a bit challenging for starters but anyone who can read a copy of the slackbook and use the slackware forum can do it. Once you try slack you never really want to leave it.
The above five points are just a summary and they are by no means exhaustive. Users will debate them depending on the kind of systems and applications they need.
