Debian is hot, might cheat on Slackware

[zeroth404]

I'm an avid slacker, I love slackware. I love the simplicity, the minimalism, and ... well quite, frankly, the sheer simplicity. However, Slack's package management system doesn't quite satisfy my urges. I need something beefier, something that handles my dependancies better.

slapt-get just isn't doing it for me. slapt-get (an apt-get-like package tool) was a gateway drug for me and I need the real thing now. However, I'm not quite ready to take the plunge into an entirely new distro. to make matters worse, I'm still tripple booting win98 and win2k (I'm a gamer). There are a few things I'd like to know.

How well does apt-get handle dependancies?

if I remove a package, does it remove any dependancies that I have left over that are no longer required by any other package?

What subtle differences does Debian have over Slackware?

Are there really that many more packages for Debian than for Slackware?

I've been using linuxpackages.net for so long, is there an equivalent site for Debian packages?

[techieMoe]

How well does apt-get handle dependancies?

Quite well, in my personal experience, particularly with a decent internet connection. Even using the DVD as the source, apt-get was very good at finding and installing everything I needed.

if I remove a package, does it remove any dependancies that I have left over that are no longer required by any other package?

As far as I know, yes.

What subtle differences does Debian have over Slackware?

The differences are mostly in philosophy. Slackware is "you do it the way Patrick wants you to do it". Debian's philosophies are more democratic.

Are there really that many more packages for Debian than for Slackware?

I can't say because I haven't seen the repositories for Slackware. I do know that Debian's repositories worldwide are enormous.

I've been using linuxpackages.net for so long, is there an equivalent site for Debian packages?

This perhaps?

http://www.debian.org/distrib/packages

[marlowe]

There are also a _lot_ of mirrors for the debian repositories...not to mention the fact that apt has super-cow powers .

[bidi]

I use both Debian and Slackware, so I kind of know where you are coming from, but I did "discover" Debian before Slack. Apt is definately the most powerful package manager I've ever used, and there's yet to be a package that I can't find. The Debian repositories definately have more available packages than linuxpackages.net (you can find anything from the link techiMoe posted).

I do like Slackware for what it is: a really fast, simple Linux distro. But to tell you the truth, I just can't use it as a desktop distro just because of the non-dependency checking issue. I use Slack on my two 500/450MHz systems, but Debian on the two P4s. It's quite a bit more demanding on the resources than Slack.

[oz]

I've seen lots of users leave Slackware for something else, but a huge number of them always wind up returning to Slack. I'd suggest making a backup of your Slackware partitions using Ghost or TrueImage, then try some other distros to see which ones suit your fancy. That way, if you don't like them, it's just a 5 or 10 restore to put you back into Slack right where you left off. Of course, it doesn't take all that long to fully simply reinstall Slack from scratch, either.

Good luck with it!

[St. Joe]

How well does apt-get handle dependancies?

I've never seen anything better. It is relentless.

if I remove a package, does it remove any dependancies that I have left over that are no longer required by any other package?

With aptitude, yes. With command line apt, no.
Using synaptic w/deborphan, it can be configured.

What subtle differences does Debian have over Slackware?

There are no subtle differences. They are all quite brutal.

Debian IMO always has that, "Ignore the man behind the curtain" feel to it, and I say that as a long-time user. I don't mean this really to be a knock, as Debian is not intended to be as transparent as Slackware, and so it should never be offered as a criticism. But, it is a fact.

So, just as fair warning, if you do like this particular aspect of Slack and appreciate how it can be used, then you may find yourself missing some system management functions that you've grown accustomed to performing.

Are there really that many more packages for Debian than for Slackware?

A LOT more.

[Weedman]

Debian IMO always has that, "Ignore the man behind the curtain" feel to it, and I say that as a long-time user. I don't mean this really to be a knock, as Debian is not intended to be as transparent as Slackware, and so it should never be offered as a criticism. But, it is a fact.

what do you mean by "transparent"? i have used both slackware and ubuntu, but not debian directly. Ubuntu is a pain in the a$$ for the main fact it does not come with a compiler by default. Even after installing all the stuff (supposably) required, it still wont compile a kernel.

/weed

[St. Joe]

what do you mean by "transparent"?

What is so difficult about this term?
Transparent: Not obscured; more readily discernable.

A "transparent" system lends itself to be more easily understood from a user management perspective since there are fewer tiers of operational complexity. For example, as a car mechanic I would find it much easier to comprehend and work on a '57 Chevy compared to an '06 Accord, since the operation of the former is not filtered through intricate layers of diagnostic electronics and analytical components.

[Weedman]

my brain's on the way out, thanx for clearing that up.

[techieMoe]

i have used both slackware and ubuntu, but not debian directly. Ubuntu is a pain in the a$$ for the main fact it does not come with a compiler by default. Even after installing all the stuff (supposably) required, it still wont compile a kernel.

/weed

Ubuntu is not Debian. It's based (loosely) on Sarge and they sync the packages every now and then, but their philosophy is completely different. Debian is a "let's throw in everything but the kitchen sink" distro, whereas Ubuntu is a "we're only going to include things WE think you'll need, which won't be at all useful to anyone".

Ok. So maybe that last one was a little biased. I make no qualms about my dislike of Ubuntu.