Why is slackware so big

[timboellis]

I am trying to setup an old machine just as a web server PHP,SQL ext..

Tried a few mainstream distros like Ubuntu but find it a bot slow, so advised to try slackware but it is only on DVD or 5 CD's why is it so bit I though it was streamlined and fast, or is it that it can be as minimal as you like by installing packages as you go or am i totaly wrong?

[valemon]

You can have a working installation and kde with the first two cd's.

[Freston]

Slackware is streamlined and fast in terms of what services run by default. It's very minimal in that sense. But it's very complete in terms of what software comes with it. It's already got everything in it to become a web server, printer server, file server, or a desktop machine, or what have you?? So yeah, a full install is very big.

If you know what you are doing, and you only need a web server as you describe, you can leave a whole lot out. Look at the contents of each CD and decide if you need that. You probably don't need X for example, if your web server is headless.

[timboellis]

Okay thanks for that installing now

[oz]

Yeah, Slackware is only big if you install everything on the CDs.

However, if you are a new Linux user, you might find it difficult to get Slackware working properly if you don't install everything on the CDs. It's easy to miss required packages/dependencies when you try to choose only what you want.

Good luck with your new Slackware installation.