Slackwares

Slackwares refers to the ecosystem surrounding the Slackware Linux distribution, including its official packages, build scripts, repositories, and the community-driven software that extends and maintains Slackware-based systems. The term highlights the practical tooling and resources used by Slackware users to install, build, and manage software.

Slackware, first released in 1993 by Patrick Volkerding, is one of the oldest continuously maintained Linux distributions. Slackwares in the broader sense emphasize the distribution’s core design principles: simplicity, minimalism, and a Unix-like approach that favors transparency and manual control over automated abstractions. This philosophy informs how software is packaged, built, and updated.

Package management in Slackwares is distinctive. Official Slackware packages are typically tar-based archives (tgz or txz) installed with commands like installpkg and upgraded with upgradepkg, managed through the kernel of pkgtools. Dependencies are not automatically resolved by the package manager; users are responsible for ensuring required libraries and components are present. This approach aims for predictability and straightforward system state, at the cost of more hands-on maintenance.

A large portion of Slackwares software is contributed through SlackBuild scripts, which automate the process of compiling third-party software into Slackware packages. SlackBuilds.org is a central repository for these scripts, and tools like sbopkg help automate bulk builds. Collectively, SlackBuilds and related resources form a robust ecosystem that keeps Slackware installations current without relying on heavy-handed dependency management.

Notable Slackware-based distributions include Zenwalk and Salix, which use Slackware as a base while offering tailored desktops and software sets. Slackwares continue to attract experienced users who value control, stability, and a transparent, documentation-driven workflow.

See also: Slackware, SlackBuilds.org, pkgtools.