Vector Linux
Installing Linux is never easy (from an point-n-click user’s point of view), but the Vector Linux installation was almost enjoyable. Keyword: almost.
I first decided to install Vector Linux when I asked a friendly resident of ##Linux on Freenode what I should use as a user-friendly, multi-user desktop distribution of Linux that could be used on a shared family computer. It turned out he was the maintainer of VASM, Vector’s very easy system configuration utility.
From Vector’s front page:
VECTORLINUX is a small, fast, Linux operating system for Intel, AMD and x86 compatible systems, based on one of the original Linux distributions, Slackware. The enormously popular Slackware is the true ‘Unix’ of Linux distributions [ … ] We have produced a bloat free, easy to install, configure and maintain Slackware based system that is second to none. We include automatic hardware configuration, unique administration tools and easy package management via the Gslapt/slapt-get system. We are also known as the fastest non-source distro on the planet!
All of this is easily true! The only problem I had with the entire installation (it was kinda a big problem) was with the 15GB FAT32 partition I attempted to repartition. My dad didn’t want me to uninstall Windows for some reason, and the disk would not defragment enough for me to safely partition it. I solved this by installing another (empty) hard drive.
After that, the installation was a breeze! Somehow I was expecting it to be something like the other distributions, so was ready to tweak and had more information than I needed. The installation detected everything properly and set itself up completely while I went to the store to get some Coke.
Once installed, I upgraded (which was as easy as slapt-get --update && slapt-get --upgrade) and the speed was incredible for a distribution with a full desktop environment (note: this machine only has under 200MB RAM and a 700MHz Athlon). I set up a user for each person in my family, and they are happily using that instead of bugging me all day. 
And yes, the distribution does feel very stupid-friendly. The family is using it without second thought that it’s another OS.
In other news, I set up a Search function on the site that goes through Technorati. Please try it out and tell me what you think!
‘Till next time
3 Responses to “Vector Linux”
| TOP READERS | #comments |
| Kevin^L | 43 |
| Mary | 28 |
| tim | 10 |
| Adam | 7 |
| The Cheshire Hippie | 6 |
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May 11th, 2006 at 4:02 pm
yeah going and getting us coke setting up the comp nomore probs now that i got audio
UsingMay 11th, 2006 at 7:20 pm
/me points out that tim is the blogger’s little brother, who is currently using said family computer.
UsingMay 11th, 2006 at 8:04 pm
/me will also note that Possum’s said little brother has bad grammar.
And Possum, I = Too lazy to try your search engine, so I will give it a search engine lol/5!
Using