Slackware Linux Essentials
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2.2 Online Help

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In addition to the documentation provided and installable with the Slackware Linux -Operating System, there are a vast multitude of online resources available for you to -learn from as well.

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2.2.1 The -Official Website and Help Forums

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The Official Slackware -Website

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The Official Slackware Linux website is sometimes out of date, but still contains -information relevant to the latest Slackware versions. At one time an active help forum -existed there before a horde of trolls, troublemakers, and whiners descended on the -forum. Maintaining the forum was beginning to be too much work, and so Pat shut it down. -One can find that old forum back up and running complete with searchable archives of the -old data at http://www.userlocal.com/phorum/.

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After the forums were taken down on http://slackware.com, several other sites sprang up that offered forum -support for Slackware. After much thought, Pat chose to endorse www.linuxquestions.org as the official -forum for Slackware Linux.

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2.2.2 E-mail -Support

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Everyone who purchases an official CD set is entitled to free installation support via -e-mail from the developer. That having been said, please keep in mind that we, the -developers, (and a vast majority of users) of Slackware are of “The Old -School”. That means that we prefer to help those who have a sincere interest and -are willing to help themselves in the process. We will always do our best to help -everyone who emails us with support questions. However, Please check your documentation -and the website (especially the FAQs and maybe some of the forums listed below) before -e-mailing. You may get a faster answer that way, and the less e-mail we have to answer, -obviously the sooner we will be of assistance to those that need it.

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The e-mail address for technical support is: support@slackware.com. Other e-mail addresses and contact -information are listed on the website.

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2.2.2.1 Slackware Linux Project Mailing -Lists

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We have several mailing lists, available in digest and normal forms. Check the -instructions for how to subscribe.

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To subscribe to a mailing list, email:

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majordomo@slackware.com

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with the phrase “subscribe [name -of list]” in the body of the email. The list choices are described -below (use one the names below for the name of the list).

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Archives of the mailing list can be found on Slackware's website at:

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http://slackware.com/lists/archive/

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slackware-announce: -
The slackware-announce mailing list is for announcements of -new versions, major updates and other general information.
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slackware-security: -
The slackware-security mailing list is for announcements -relating to security issues. Any exploits or other vulnerabilities directly pertaining to -Slackware will get posted to this list immediately.
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These lists are also available in digest format. This means that you get one large -message per day instead of several messages throughout the day. Since the slackware -mailing lists do not allow users to post, and the lists are such low traffic, most users -find little advantage in the digest lists. Still, they are available if you want them by -subscribing to slackware-announce-digest or slackware-security-digest.

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2.2.3 -Non-Official Websites and Help Forums

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2.2.3.1 Websites

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Google: -
The Kung-Fu Master of Search Engines. When you absolutely, positively gotta find every -last kernel of information on a subject: Accept no substitutes.
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Google:Linux: -
Linux-Specific searches
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Google:BSD: -
BSD-Specific searches. Slackware is so generic as a Unix work-a-like operating system -that one can as often as not find very detailed information that is almost 100% relevant -to Slackware here. Many times a BSD search reveals far more technical information than -the often PR-related Linux searches.
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Google:Groups: -
Search through decades of Usenet posts for your pearls of wisdom.
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http://userlocal.com: -
A virtual treasure-trove of knowledge, good advice, first-hand experience and -interesting articles. Often the first place you'll hear about new developments in the -world of Slackware.
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2.2.3.2 Web-based Resources

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linuxquestions.org: -
The officially sanctioned web-forum for Slackware users.
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LinuxISO.org -Slackware Forum: -
“A place to download and get help with Linux.”
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alt.os.linux.slackware FAQ: -
Another FAQ
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2.2.3.3 Usenet Groups (NNTP)

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Usenet has long been a place for geeks to gather and help one another. There are few -newsgroups dedicated to Slackware Linux, but they tend to be filled with very -knowledgeable people.

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alt.os.linux.slackware

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alt.os.linux.slackware, better known as aols (not to be -confused with AOL®!) is one of the most active places -to find technical help with Slackware problems. Like every Usenet newsgroup, a few -unhelpful participants (“trolls”) can mar the experience with constant -arguing. Learning to ignore the trolls and identifying the truly helpful people is key to -making the most of this resource.