Kernel Version: - 2.2.16
KDE Included: - Yes
KDE2 Included: - No
Gnome Included: - No
Installation:
Booted from the CD into the text-based manual installation. You are given a list of the applications you must run in order to configure and install your system. You must first run the command-line ‘fdisk’ and configure your hard disk. You must then mount your root partition under /mnt. You may then configure PCMCIA (if required) by typing ‘pcmcia’. You can then configure the network by running ‘network’ and using a floppy disk which you need to create from ‘network.dsk’ on the CDROM. You can then run ‘setup’ and actually install your system.
The setup prompts you to configure your keyboard, swap partition and root partition. You are then required to tell Slackware where you are installing it from (!). I told it that it was being installed from a CD and it searched for it and was unable to find it! The CD was in the drive and it was a standard IDE drive which it had just read 5 minutes ago when it booted from it! I decided to give up at this point.
Software Content:
Because I did not manage to install Slackware I can not comment on the software content although I do know that it included KDE.
Conclusion:
I was quite annoyed when the installation failed to read the CD as by this time you have already formatted your partitions. Slackware is designed to be a highly customisable D.I.Y. system which would be fine - if it had installed. Unless you happen to need a highly customised system (and most people don’t) then I suggest that Slackware isn’t worth the trouble.