My reasons for Slackware:
-I never had trouble mixing packages with self-built software
-Trouble with software never had anything to do with Slackware
-After installing Slackware it just serves as a platform for running software
-Slackware does neither patronize me nor waste resources by default

I tried many Distros, but until now I always returned to Slackware because of its transparency, simplicity and convenience. Unfortunately it has a bad reputation as an "expert system". I guess this reputation comes mostly from people who are afraid of things like vi, nano, etc and/or people who need assistance in configuring/running software (although there's usually enough of help and information in most config files).

I don't think the OP was a troll. It's a valid question: "Why Slackware?". But, for me, difficult to answer. It's the same with all personal preferences: books, women, films, women, food, women, colours, women, music, not to mention women.

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The Emacs psychotherapist is dumb and has never improved over time.

always asking the saame questions.

does anyone have any idea where the rest of the poem is posted

you are right with your observation but not with your conclusion. Because trolling has nothing to do with aggro or flames. Just like the fishing technique, it is about getting members of the community to react to a bait. The purpose of the bait is not the actual content but the intent to create the maximum amount of people to spend the maximum amount of their lifetime to react to something the OP ultimately is not interested in.

Darn, now I've fallen for it myself.

how many slackers exist on this planet?

It is said You never forget your first love.

My introduction to Linux was to buy a box of Linux distributions from Walnut Creek. Of the ones that came, Slackware was the only one with an X server new enough to work on my laptop.

I was reading this thread, and saw this comment....

Can WE startup a 'Slack Counter,' similar to the Linux counter registry? I remember registering on that in the very beginning, but there's no way for me to find my original registration number.

FYI: It was the early 90's and I was introduced to UNIX on an IBM PC RT, with AIX 2.2. A prof at the University told me I could download a copy of something like it .... it was Slackware. About 30 floppies. I had a blast, and it just got better. I've tried other distros...but as I worked with them...I just kept saying: "Slackware does it easier, and I can UNDERSTAND it!" FOURTEEN of my systems (Not including 4 Win boxes and 3 OS/2 systems, we all have at least one, right?) totaling about 86GHz of clock speed run Slack.

I still have TWO of those IBM RT's. Haven't been powered on since 1998. They make great stands for plywood tables!

As for the comment about feeding the troll: Fine. I believe that Slackers have some real history....and will certainly create some more. Just look at all the Slack derivatives that have bumped versions since 14.0 went Gold.

Back on my topic.... Maybe we could add the Slack Counter to the Docs Wiki?????? Maybe start out with a basic registration.....then maybe plot us all out over Google Maps? That would be really kewl!

3 members found this post helpful.

Wow, that must have been earlier than my first set of Slackware-floppies, I got about 50 floppies in march 1994
+1 thats a nice idea.

Markus

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+1 for me

It offers more control to user then any other distro I personally tried. Its very simply built and avoids automations and things popping up without you enabling them first. If you use the stable release you don't have to worry of stability problems as it is almost as good as centos when it comes to stability from other distros I have tried. I consider Slackware a very stable distro. Also since less things start up its leaves plenty of resources and speeds up your box. I never used current so can't say how stable it is. Its great for those that enjoy doing things in terminal and hand editing config files. In other words its a distro for geeks and not for the avg. user.

Usually Slackware-current is very stable, but on occasion things do break. I enjoy running -current from time to time. I've found -current to be very stable compared to other cutting edge distros. I enjoy the control that Slackware gives me.

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Finally, and imo most importantly. The motivation behind the creation of Slackware is Patrick's Love of UNIX. Its a project built out of love. As opposed to Red Hat which is motivated by greed. And even FreeBSD which source comes from a knowledge motivated burocracy that has kind of led its own downfall. Sure Red Hat has more manpower and hires the the best developers to have solid code. But the motivation behind it is a profit based corporation. A profit based motivation is where there can be a big conflict with the best interest of the user. Because of this the best interest of the user is sacrificed for the ultimate goal: $$$. I don't believe Slackware has the same motivation as does Red Hat. I think the purpose of Patrick is to make a real nice OS and not money even though he has limited manpower to do so... Its looking good so far. My hats off to the man and those working for this great project. I admit it took me a while to realize this. I was focused on so much of the little things that I was unable to grasp the bigger picture. The project is built out of genuine love and what holds it together to this day... even with its "zealots".
As for Ubuntu, I have totally stopped using it because I seriously hated the system. The entire philosophy behind Ubuntu is just Marketing. If we compared these distros to kids in highschool. Ubuntu would be the dumb popular Jock, Red Hat would be that serious smart calculating business guy, Arch the overenthusiastic geek always into new things, Freebsd the teachers pet and Slackware the Artist. I admit its a work of art and created by love.

Slackware ARM on the Raspberry Pi... that's why for me!