Introduction to Slackware

Welcome to the world of Slackware, one of the oldest and most stable Linux distributions. This guide will help you get started with Slackware on your terminal and also configure it for a graphical user experience. Whether you're a seasoned Linux user or new to the scene, you'll find this guide invaluable.

Getting Started with the Terminal

Slackware is fundamentally a command-line operating system, making it easy to control a wide variety of tasks directly through the terminal. Here’s how you can start using Slackware via the terminal:

Step 1: Understanding Runlevels

Slackware operates in different runlevels, each of which represents a different operational state of the system. For beginners, runlevel 3 is the default and is primarily for text-mode operations, while runlevel 4 is for graphical user interfaces. If you notice that you're currently in runlevel 3, you might see a screen with a command prompt instead of a graphical desktop.

Checking the Current Runlevel

To determine the current runlevel, open a terminal and type:

runlevel

This will show you the current runlevel.

Switching to Runlevel 4 for Graphical Interface

If you prefer to use a graphical interface, you can switch to runlevel 4. To do this, you'll need to manually change the settings in the /etc/inittab file and configure the window manager.

Abandoning Runlevel 3 or 5

It’s important to note that you should not set the runlevel to 0 (system halt) or 6 (reboot), as this will prevent the system from starting up normally. If you want to switch to runlevel 4 immediately:

Open a terminal. Edit the /etc/inittab file using a text editor like nano:

sudo nano /etc/inittab

Locate the line starting with id:. It should look something like:

id:3:initdefault:

Change it to:

id:4:initdefault:

Save the file and exit.

Reboot your system to apply the changes:

sudo reboot

Rebooting will set your system to runlevel 4, providing you with a graphical login screen and the option to choose a window manager.

Configuring Window Managers

Once you are in graphical mode, you can choose a window manager such as KDE. Here’s how to set it up:

Selecting a Window Manager with xwmconfig

You can use the xwmconfig tool to select a window manager. To do this:

Open a terminal. Run xwmconfig to list available window managers:

xwmconfig

Click the window manager you prefer (e.g., KDE). Once you have selected one, run:

startx

This command will initiate a graphical environment using the window manager you selected.

Conclusion

Slackware provides a powerful and flexible environment that can be customized to meet your needs. By understanding runlevels and configuring window managers, you can create a comfortable and efficient working environment. Whether you prefer a command line or graphical interface, Slackware has something to offer. Happy exploring!