Tux Reports: VectorLinux 4.0 Download Edition [Review]

“VectorLinux is a Slackware based distribution, including a
graphical package manager known as vecpkg and the vasm tool for
helping administrators maintain the distribution. The download
version of Vector Linux 4.0 was placed on ibiblio.org servers and
announced on Tuesday October 7, 2003. Installation was completed
several times on an i810 based system, an 810E system, a KT400
based system, and an older 440BX system. We then attempted to use
the installed Linux as a desktop in a high school classroom and at
home.

“Slackware has a great reputation for being the ‘true’ Unix of
Linux distributions. However, it’s installation and configuration
routines can be overwhelming for a new inductee to Linux.
VectorLinux provides a Slackware environment with an ncurses based
installation routine that includes easy prompts, progress bars, and
hardware detection. The post-installation configuration is easily
done with the VectorLinux Administration tool known as vasm. In
addition, VectorLinux has select window managers which work well
(faster) on older hardware. Plus it is possible to add Slackware
packages in case one is not available on the VL site. The real
sweet spot is the small size of the distribution, weighing in under
230 MB for the single iso image. Now, compare that size to the
three iso images for Fedora Core 1 and you’ll see why many people
will be interested in VectorLinux…”

Complete
Story