[plug] Which distribution?

[Matt Kemner]

On Thu, 11 Mar 1999, Bret Busby wrote:

> I am about to install Linux, for the first time.

Good stuff!

> I have Red Hat 5.1, with version 2.0.34 of the Linux kernel, and Slackware
> 3.0, with version 1.3.18 of the Linux kernel.
> 
> >From what I understand, it is better to install Slackware; Red Hat is
> easier, but Slackware is better.

"better" in what way?
Many people feel Slackware is the worst distribution of the lot, others
think Slackware is the bees knees.  Unfortunately you can't just ask a
question such as that to this list and expect an objective answer, because
what you ultimately decide is the best distribution is really a personal
choice, so the only way you're going to know which one you prefer, is to
install them all.
I'm a Debian person myself, although my first distro was Slackware 3.0,
which I found a lot easier to install and configure (for a newbie) than
either RedHat or Debian.

One thing I will say, though, is that Slackware 3.0 is really old (3-4
years?) so if your choice is out of the above 2, I would say go for the
RedHat.  Especially if you're thinking of connecting your Linux machine to
the 'net (the Slackware will be riddled with security holes)

> If I install the Slackware that I have, how easy is it to upgrade?

As the Slackware manuals say, the only way to upgrade it is to delete
everything (apart from the home directories) and reinstall from scratch.

 - Matt