Salix OS
Encyclopedia
Goals
Salix OS retains full backwards compatibility with Slackware. This enables Slackware users to benefit from Salix repositories, which they can use as an "extra" source of software for their distribution. However, while in the KISS principleKISS principle
KISS is an acronym for the design principle Keep it simple, Stupid!. Other variations include "keep it simple and stupid", "keep it short and simple", "keep it simple sir", "keep it simple or be stupid" or "keep it simple and straightforward"...
that Slackware adheres to, "Simple" refers to the system design, Salix OS applies it to daily use as well. It aims to be simple, fast and easy to use.
To paraphrase the words of a journalist: the target audience for Salix OS might well be described as "lazy Slackers", users familiar with Linux in general and Slackware in particular who do not mind having additional tools to reduce their workload, while maintaining the maximum compatibility with Slackware possible. Salix OS adds automated dependency resolution, enhanced internationalization and localization, a larger repository of applications, and a well equipped suite of native administration and configuration tools for both the GUI and the command line. In so doing it is making the system more user friendly than vanilla Slackware to newcomers as well.
Installation Modes
Salix OS standard iso comes both under an Xfce or a LXDE edition.The installation provided in Salix standard Xfce or LXDE editions is text dialog based. It is easy to navigate and offers a complete choice of options. Spkg, which runs underneath, is optimized for speed. A "full" mode installation only takes a few minutes on a modern PC. For those who prefer a more conventional GUI installer, one is provided in Salix Live editions.
Salix offers three different modes of installation :
Core: Only the minimum essentials for a console system to start. Salix ncurses system tools are included, but a graphical system is not. This mode is designed for experienced users who want to customize their installation for a specific purpose, such as a web server, file server, etc.
Basic: This includes the previous Core mode applications with, depending on the particular edition, the addition of only the Xfce or LXDE desktop environment, a web browser (Firefox with Xfce & Midori with LXDE), the gslapt package manager and Salix system GUI utilities. This mode is designed for advanced users that would like to install a lightweight Desktop environment and add their own choice of applications.
Full: This installs a complete set of application one could need on a day-to-day basis. That includes all the Basic mode applications with the addition of Claws-mail email client, the complete OpenOffice.org suite, a Java Runtime Environment, the Parole media player, Exaile music manager, etc., following the "one application per task" rationale.
All three installation modes come with a complete development environment, so users do not need to add anything to start developing and compiling applications.
| version | date |
|---|---|
| Salix OS (Xfce) 13.0 | September 16, 2009 |
| Salix OS (Xfce) 13.0.1 | November 2, 2009 |
| Salix OS (Xfce) 13.0.2 | December 23, 2009 |
| Salix Live (Xfce) 13.0 | April 8, 2010 |
| Salix OS (Xfce) 13.1 | June 4, 2010 |
| Salix OS (LXDE) 13.1 | June 16, 2010 |
| Salix Live (Xfce) 13.0.1 | July 27, 2010 |
| Salix OS (Xfce) 13.1.1 | August 8, 2010 |
| Salix OS (LXDE) 13.1.1 | September 6, 2010 |
| Salix Live (Xfce) 13.1.1 | September 16, 2010 |
| Salix Live (LXDE) 13.1.1 | September 16, 2010 |
| Salix OS (KDE) 13.1.2 | October 30, 2010 |
| Salix OS (Xfce) 13.1.2 | November 9, 2010 |
| Salix OS (Fluxbox) 13.1.2 | December 7, 2010 |
| Salix OS (LXDE) 13.1.2 | December 27, 2010 |
| Salix OS (Xfce) 13.37 | May 12, 2011 |
| Salix OS (Fluxbox) 13.37 | June 15, 2011 |
| Salix OS (KDE) 13.37 | July 22, 2011 |
| Salix OS (LXDE) 13.37 | August 18, 2011 |
| Salix OS (Ratpoison) 13.37 | October 05, 2011 |
Package Management
Salix OS uses the slapt-getSlapt-get
slapt-get is an APT-like package management system for Slackware. Slapt-get tries to emulate the features of Debian's apt-get as closely as possible.Released under the terms of the GNU General Public License, slapt-get is free software.- Features :...
package management tool. It provides the main functionalities of the apt-get variety of package managers. It uses Slackware's .tgz/.txz package format, but adds dependency resolution management. The system uses meta files (.dep files) to provide dependency information, as well as package description during the install process. Gslapt provides a GUI frontend with similar capabilities.
As stated previously, one of Salix main goals & design is providing package compatibility with Slackware
System Management
All system management in Salix OS can be done the Slackware usual (read manual) way.For the 'lazy Slackers' however, a full suite of internationalized system GUI
Graphical user interface
In computing, a graphical user interface is a type of user interface that allows users to interact with electronic devices with images rather than text commands. GUIs can be used in computers, hand-held devices such as MP3 players, portable media players or gaming devices, household appliances and...
utilities is provided along with ncurses
Ncurses
ncurses is a programming library that provides an API which allows the programmer to write text user interfaces in a terminal-independent manner. It is a toolkit for developing "GUI-like" application software that runs under a terminal emulator...
counterparts which can be used in a non-graphical environment (runlevel 3
Runlevel
The term runlevel refers to a mode of operation in one of the computer operating systems that implement Unix System V-style initialization. Conventionally, seven runlevels exist, numbered from zero to six; though up to ten, from zero to nine, may be used. S is sometimes used as a synonym for one...
).
Supported Architectures
Salix OS offers 2 versions: The first one is built and optimized for the i486/i686 architecture. The second one is made for the x86-64X86-64
x86-64 is an extension of the x86 instruction set. It supports vastly larger virtual and physical address spaces than are possible on x86, thereby allowing programmers to conveniently work with much larger data sets. x86-64 also provides 64-bit general purpose registers and numerous other...
architecture.
LiveCD Version
Salix Live is the Live CD version of Salix OS (only for 32 bits). It can be safely used to 'test drive' Salix without having to install anything on a computer. One can thus determine whether and to what extent Salix OS is compatible with a particular hardware configuration and if it suits personal tastes before proceeding with the installation.Salix Live offers a full feature graphic installer which can manage any of Salix 3 modes of installation.
It also features LiveClone, a native GUI utility that easily manages the generation of a vanilla or customized Salix LiveCD onto a regular CD-ROM or a USB key.
Salix Live can also come in handy as a mobile solution or to perform some basic rescue operation such as fixing an ailing LILO
Lilo
Lilo may refer to:People* Lilo , a French actress and singer, the leading lady in the Broadway production of Can-Can* Lilo, nickname of Carmine Galante, American mobster* lilo, nickname of Rob Levin, founder of the freenode IRC network...
bootloader, configuring some partitions
Disk partitioning
Disk partitioning is the act of dividing a hard disk drive into multiple logical storage units referred to as partitions, to treat one physical disk drive as if it were multiple disks. Partitions are also termed "slices" for operating systems based on BSD, Solaris or GNU Hurd...
, etc.
Salix Live comes both under an Xfce or a LXDE edition.
History
Salix OS was originally initiated by some ex-members/contributors/developer of Zenwalk project who wanted to come back to a closer compatibility with Slackware as well as to the FOSSFoss
Foss may refer toPeople*Foss , people with the last name Foss*Foss Shanahan , New Zealand diplomat*Foss Westcott , English bishop...
truly cooperative & open philosophy.
Development
All development for Salix OS is done in an open & cooperative manner & is hosted on SourceforgeSourceForge
SourceForge Enterprise Edition is a collaborative revision control and software development management system. It provides a front-end to a range of software development lifecycle services and integrates with a number of free software / open source software applications .While originally itself...
SVN.
Likewise translations are cooperatively handled on Transifex
Transifex
Transifex is an open source platform for localization. It is a service offering users with an easy-to-use interface to submit translations to various projects hosted on a number of hosting platform types. The name literally means "translation-builder" .-Features:Transifex supports translating...
.