Relative young'un here, my first introduction to Linux was Ubuntu 12.04 in 2013, when I was in elementary school :). The very first day I installed it, I managed to disable admin access for my user, so I had the pleasure of obtaining a recovery root shell and learning about the sudoers file.
These days I run Arch Linux, which is the closest I can get to total control of every aspect of my system (without sacrificing prebuilt binary packages - I do not have the patience to wait for my browser to be built from scratch!). I'm quite happy with my understanding of the modern Linux stack! Though I still look longingly at the early days of Linux, when you really had to do everything yourself, and bringing up a Linux system from scratch was worth serious bragging rights.
Do you think I would gain something by trying out Slackware today in 2023? Perhaps see how Linux used to work in the good old days, without SystemD or a fully working Xorg? And should I do so with modern Slackware, or an older version to truly experience the floppy install process (hardware support may be an issue--might try to source an ancient Thinkpad)?
I started using computers at the age on 10 on a Timex 2068, so I am bit curious at what age that was.
While coding BASIC and Z80 Assembly were a bit of challenge, but doable, installing a UNIX based OS is another level.
Regarding trying Slackware today, I think it would be more interesting to try out another UNIX like one of the BSDs, or getting hold of HP-UX, Solaris, Aix somehow, as they do provide a complete different experience, while Slackware it is still a Linux distribution, dispite the differences.
Ha, got distracted in the middle of typing out my comment. Fixed now.
Was saying that I managed to disable admin access for my user, so I had the pleasure of obtaining a recovery root shell and learning about the sudoers file.
These days I run Arch Linux, which is the closest I can get to total control of every aspect of my system (without sacrificing prebuilt binary packages - I do not have the patience to wait for my browser to be built from scratch!). I'm quite happy with my understanding of the modern Linux stack! Though I still look longingly at the early days of Linux, when you really had to do everything yourself, and bringing up a Linux system from scratch was worth serious bragging rights.
Do you think I would gain something by trying out Slackware today in 2023? Perhaps see how Linux used to work in the good old days, without SystemD or a fully working Xorg? And should I do so with modern Slackware, or an older version to truly experience the floppy install process (hardware support may be an issue--might try to source an ancient Thinkpad)?