Slackware 2.0 Released
August 1st, 1994 by Phil Hughes in
As LJ is just about to go to the printer, a new version of Slackware [see Patrick Volkerding interview, LJ #2] is being released. Over the past few months, Slackware has become the most popular Linux distribution to be made available on the Internet. This new release will differ in one major way yet continue to offer the availability and reliability that Slackware has become known for.
The part that is the same is that Slackware continues to grow into a file-system-compliant, easy-to-install Linux package that offers a very large assortment of programs. The main new features of 2.0 are:
Better package installation/removal tools, including tools to create your own packages.
A “contrib” directory with over 40 MB of extra packages. Users are encouraged to contribute packages they've put together.
Many more precompiled kernels to support any of the hardware supported by the standard kernel releases.
Integration of the UMSDOS filesystem allowing you to run Linux on top of an MS-DOS filesystem.
The major change is that Pat Volkerding made a deal with Morse Communications. Morse, by partially funding the development of Slackware, will get to distribute the “official version” of Slackware. I asked Pat why he cut the deal. He said, “Mostly because they asked me first. I've had other inquiries since then but I'm happy with the decision to let Morse publish it. I think they'll do a nice job with it.”
Pat went on to say “I hadn't planned to join up with a CD manufacturer in an official sense, but when I thought about it I decided it would be better for Slackware. Getting some project funding has allowed me to put more time into it and it will remain free and available for FTP, of course.”
One other important addition is that Morse will offer 90 days of free support with the purchase of their Slackware Pro 2.0 Linux system. It is expected to be available in mid-July.
Phil Hughes
Special Magazine Offer -- Free Gift with Subscription
Receive a free digital copy of Linux Journal's System Administration Special Edition as well as instant online access to current and past issues. CLICK HERE for offer
Linux Journal: delivering readers the advice and inspiration they need to get the most out of their Linux systems since 1994.
Delicious
Digg
StumbleUpon
Reddit
Facebook
Post to TwitterSubscribe now!
The Latest
Newsletter
Tech Tip Videos
Recently Popular
From the Magazine
July 2009, #183
News Flash: Linux Kernel 3.0 to include an on-the-go Expresso machine interface! Ok, maybe not, but Linux is definitely going mobile, from phones to e-readers. Find out more inside about Android, the Kindle 2, the Western Digital MyBook II, The Bug, and Indamixx (a portable recording studio). And if you've gone mobile and you been wanting more Emacs in your life then check out Conkeror.
To compliment the mobile we've got the stationary: parsing command line options with getopt, checking your Ruby code with metric_fu, and building a secure Squid proxy. How is this stationary you ask? What can we say? It's not. We just wanted to see if anybody actually read this part of the page :) .
All this and more, and all you have to do is get your hot sweaty hands on the latest copy of Linux Journal.
Agree! We need to keep history!
On March 17th, 2007 Anonymous (not verified) says:
I agree. This is what digital information is all about.
If we were to just throw stuff out because it is old, then we would never have had libraries, and history would just repeat itself over and over.. and ultimately, we would be a much less sophisticated race than we are now.
Anyways, I think it is great that people keep this stuff around and readily available. I wish I did, so kudos to those who do!
Re: Slackware 2.0 Released
On October 2nd, 2004 Anonymous says:
Whoa sweet, time to ditch my gentoo install!
Gee think we should REMOVE th
On January 16th, 2005 Anonymous (not verified) says:
Gee think we should REMOVE this post, a little OLD people, boy talk about efficent web management. :-(
What are you talking about?!
On February 5th, 2005 ProgramSynthesiser (not verified) says:
These old posts are an essential link to the past. Without these little bits of history, how would anyone know how Linux, or DOS, or whatever were once like? It is always great to see how systems developed since the early 90's.
Post new comment