how do you start the GUI after logging on in Slackware?
using kde?

Do "startx"

if you want kde, create a .xinitrc file in your user's home directory (if it hasn't been already created) and then add a line like this:

exec startkde



if there are other lines starting with the word 'exec', comment them out. if it is a new file, u just need the above line.

after you have saved the file, type startx at the command line to begin your kde session.



enjoy!

i tried mandrake, but i had problems setting it up so i went with slack. i don't really think that there's a point to using linux if your not going to learn the nuts and bolts of the system. the whole reason i came over to linux is because i couldn't learn any thing about computers and software while using windoze. nothing against mandrake, but that's why i think slack is the best.

i agree that it's fun learning the nuts and bolts... but i really don't understand why people who use linux keep on saying stuff like there's no point to using linux if your not going to learn the nuts and bolts of the system.

i mean if we're advocating linux, then why are we leaving some people out? the average user (and take note of the word 'user') wants it for e-mails, internet access, office suite and games. u don't have to know the innards of the system to do all this. to most people, the computer is a tool, not an end in itself.

if we're gonna convince others that linux is worth their trouble, i think we gotta drop the elitist attitude and be more open to both users and people who are interested in learning more about linux.

Well said gui10, thats one of the reasons why I post here.

For Jonathan, who was asking about whether or not to try Slackware...

I'm a newbie, too, and I chose Slackware. I've since tried Caldera (on a second PC), but Slack is my primary Linux distro. Given the same choice again...I'd still go with Slackware. It's a great distribution. If you buy the CDs, they come with an EXCELLENT beginners guide for installing and using Slack. When you perform the installation, there are several menus that let you select what options you want to install. FTP, Telnet and Apache (web server) worked out of the box; I haven't touched the config files, and I use all three services all the time. I have since added the DNS daemon (for my LAN--it's a small network, but it's an educational toy...I mean TOOL )

Slackware is a little more difficult to learn, but not really that bad. I'm still having a few problems, though (I can't exit X Windows without resetting my computer... >:| ), but for the most part, Slackware is GREAT!!!


--Michael Wallette

Ctrl-alt-backspace to restart/shutdown X, and about MSN it does suck but I had it before I switched over to cable and you can get it to function, but I could never get it to connect at full capacity always at something like 28.8 or less strange but true.

hey Half_elf
about the lilo.conf problem u had. well after editing and saving the file run lilo in command prompt. only then the modifications get configured. i hope u get my point coz i can't tell u anything more than I Don't KNOW as i am a newbie. but well that is what i did. hope it helped.

i didn,t have no problem with lilo, though i got a warning message of possible problems loading on the mbr. everything running fine except for some of my ingnorance about the system at the moment. i also had a tough time figuring on how to get into the desktop, until i read about xf86 config and startx.well, slack if fast, faster than red hat or suse. opion is still out on slack, looks like i am going to have to learn how to install some software. my 2 cents worh

All you Slackware advocates - you really have no clue, do you. Slackware used to be a good distro 10 years ago when there was nothing else. Nowadays it's a piece of crap. Here's a scenario for you kiddies, I'll try to make it a bit simpler and easier than it really is so that you can understand: you compile (say, with the standard configure;make;make install procedure) a program (which didn't have a slackware "package" - i'll get to that later), and it's depencencies include something that another program depends on. Now. How do you go about removing this program? If you're "lucky" you might have a 'make uninstall' or similar. What about the dependency issues? You're screwed now aren't you. Slackware's package management is a joke. No serious admin is going to run slackware when his job would be lost because he screws up dependencies. Security fixes/bug updates are few and far between. Don't even get me started on slackware's init scripts.

To those of you (who seem to have the least clue), Linux is Linux is Linux. One distribution is not going to be "faster" than another.

Go for Debian. Debian is the most sensible of linux distro's by far. By sensible, I really mean the least stupid.

Now get out of your bedrooms and try running Slackware in a real world environment, and then come back and tell me how good it is.
</rant>

Agrajag

Treating people as if they know nothing and pretended you are a linux god makes you nothing more than a dickhead. Good day.

kernal: where exactly did I pretend to be a "linux god"? I make no such claim. Do you usually make such comments with no real reason as to why you made them? Have you got any good reasons why any of my comments are wrong perhaps? Or is asking a Mandrake user to actually use his brain too much? I suppose it probably is.

Cheerio

I may use Mandrake now, but I've also used Slackware, Debian, and Red Hat. And calling me a Mandrake user not only disrespects me, but most of the people who use this board. Good day.

HAHA! "Calling me a Mandrake user not only disrespects me" <--- do you realise what you just said?

It also came to my attention that you didn't answer any of my questions