About SlackEX 15.0 Current (testing/development) 64 bit Build 260328/260325
Slackware is the first widely-used Linux system, which is still developing. Slackware has existed since 1993. In comparison with for example Ubuntu and Linux Mint, many people believe that Slackware is “difficult”. Any novice can quickly learn to use Ubuntu they say. My remaster of Slackware Current (15.0), which I call SlackEX 15.0 Current 64 bit Linux Live System, is however just as easy to use as Ubuntu and/or Linux Mint. Some tend to complain that the Program Management in Slackware is awkward. That was perhaps earlier the case, but not anymore.
NEWS 260328
I have uploaded a new version of SlackEX. I have corrected some minor errors in version 260325. SlackEX version 260328 has the newest versions of Refracta Installer and Refracta Snapshot installed.
NEWS ABOUT SlackEX BUILD 260325 with the Xfce4 DESKTOP (DE)
A new version of SlackEX is ready. It is based on Slackware 15.0 Stable/Current released 220202 with Xfce4 as DE. The most important package installed is Refracta Snapshot. With that you can build your own Slackware 15.0 distribution. Xfce4 is one of Slackware’s official Desktop environments. The other one is KDE. Kernel 6.19.8-amd64-exton is used in this SlackEX Build. To be able to use Refracta Snapshot you’ll have to use said kernel. Otherwise you can (of course) replace “my” kernel with Slackware’s original kernel – see about that below. Study the list of upgraded packages.
NOTE1: You’ll run SlackEX Build 260325 as the normal user user or as root. The password for root is root. The password for user is live.
NOTE2: You can run SlackEX Build 260325 on UEFI and non-UEFI computers. You can also run SlackEX live super fast from RAM.
ABOUT running SlackEX in RAM
You can run SlackEX from RAM also when starting SlackEX in UEFI mode. The previous SlackEX versions could only run from RAM if they started in Legacy mode. So my advice is to run this version SUPER FAST from RAM! The best way to run a Linux Live System! When SlackEX has booted up you can remove/eject the USB stick or the DVD – screenshot…
MORE NEWS about SlackEX Build 260325
1. The very nice icon theme Papirus is installed and used.
2. In this SlackEX build you can use Firefox for Netflix.
3. Samba works so that you can connect to your Windows computers in your Network – watch this screenshot…
4. I’ve installed the SLiM Login Manager in SlackEX Xfce4 – see below.
Passwords
The password for user (ordinary user) is live. The password for root (Superuser) is root.
Requirements to run SlackEX satisfactory quickly
SlackEX is a “big” Linux system. You need at least 1024 MB RAM in order to run the system satisfactory from live (from a DVD or a USB stick). It might help if you have a SWAP space on your computer.
Running SlackEX from RAM
Another big improvement is that both SlackEX Builds can run from RAM. Use Boot alternative 2 (load to RAM). When the system has booted up you can remove the disc (DVD) or USB stick. You will need at least 6 GB RAM to run SlackEX that way. Running from RAM means that the system will run faster than from a DVD or a USB stick. Everything will be super fast I would say!
Configuring X
X is auto-configured during the boot from the DVD or the USB pen drive.
WiFi connections
Just give your password and connect. Watch this screenshot…
Default language
The default language (locale) is set to English.
Sound in SlackEX
You will have sound also when logged in to Xfce4 as root.
Sudo
Ubuntu/Kubuntu/Mint and many other so-called beginner distributions (and other Linux systems) use sudo to do something that requires root (Superuser) privileges. There really is no need for a root password. “Example of Commands”: sudo mkdir /usr/MyFiles. You can also directly become root with sudo su. Read HERE about how Sudo works. I have installed the Sudo program in SlackEX. This means, among other things, that Linux users used to Ubuntu can identify with SlackEX.
Important about Refracta
You can use the Refracta Snapshot (pre-installed) to create your own installable Slackware 15.0 Live installable System once you have installed SlackEX to hard drive. I mean change everything and then create a whole new Slackware live system. Start Refracta Snapshot from the menu. You do not even have to install SlackEX to hard drive before you can use the Refracta Snapshot. If you have plenty of RAM you can create a new (your own!) Slackware system while running SlackEX from a DVD or a USB stick. Please note that the whole Refracta process (creating your new ISO) only will take 10 to 30 min! You will find the ISO in /home/snapshot. Or edit /etc/reafractasnapshot.conf and decide where you want the created ISO to end up. The whole thing is very simple.
IMPORTANT NOTE: You can only use Refracta Snapshot with “my” special kernel 6.19.8-amd64-exton. I.e. it won’t be possible if you use Slackware’s original kernel 6.18-huge. Once you have installed SlackEX to hard drive you can (of course) switch to Slackware’s kernel if you like. Watch a screenshot when I have installed kernel huge (in a previous version of SlackEX). You have to create an initrd file too then – watch this screenshot. You can install Slackware’s original kernel kernel-huge with the command sudo slackpkg install kernel.
Install SlackEX to hard drive using Refracta Installer
Use this INSTRUCTION. You can (if you want) use Grub2 (new GRUB) as boot loader – screenshot of the boot screen. (Slackware original still uses LILO).
NOTE: In the end of the install process you will see two error messages – screenshot. Just ignore them and close down the install window. Everything is alright. Refracta Installer is made for Debian systems. Thus the errors.
Install SlackEX to a USB stick
Use Rufus or Balena Etcher in Windows or the dd-command in Linux. No persistence.
Slackpkg
Slackpkg is very easy to use. Basically only six commands:
slackpkg update
slackpkg upgrade-all
slackpkg install-new (all packages possible to install will show up)
slackpkg clean-system (be careful!)
slackpkg install MyNecessaryProgram
slackpkg remove MyUnnecessaryProgram
More about how to use Slackpkg…
SCREENSHOTS
Screenshot 1 – user’s Desktop – Xfce4
Screenshot 2 – root’s Desktop – Xfce4
Screenshot 3 – using Refracta Installer – keeping the user account
Screenshot 4 – using Refracta Installer – installing Grub in VirtualBox
Screenshot 5 – Refracta Snapshot is starting
Why Slackware?
Slackware is grossly underestimated (in my opinion). This article give you ten (10) reasons to choose Slackware. And this article explains how Slackware works nowadays (2023).
The ISO file is of 3920 MB.
DOWNLOAD
Download SlackEX from SourceForge.net (ISO) – Fast, secure and free downloads from the largest Open Source applications and software directory.
md5sum for SlackEX 15.0 Current (Xfce4) ISO file – Build 260328
and
about my Android 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow and Lollipop versions for Raspberry Pi 5, Pi 4 and Pi 3/2 at raspex.exton.se – latest is RaspAnd 16 (with GAPPS), RaspAnd 15 (also with GAPPS), RaspAnd 14 (also with GAPPS), 13 and 12 (without GAPPS), RaspAnd 11 (with GAPPS) and RaspAnd Oreo 8.1 (also with GAPPS)
