Welcome to the offical information page for Freenode's ##slackware. This page contains a bit of (hopefully) helpful information along with the channel rules/guidelines.

• Need a channel operator/moderator? Type "!ops" in your IRC client. Note that there's no guarantee that an op will currently be available; all of them are volunteers.
  
• You must be registered and authenticated with NickServ to talk in ##slackware.
  
• Get Slackware here: http://slackware.com/getslack/
  
• Keep up with security and bugfix patches for your Slackware version: Slackware RSS Feeds
  
• If you're a new Slackware user, you should have a look at the Slackware Beginner's Guide.
  

• Generally speaking, treat other users in the manner you'd like to be treated. No "flames" or trolling or nonsense behavior is welcome.
  • No, "flames" and "trolling" and "nonsense behavior" will not be quantified or formally defined.
    
  
  
• Don't post information that is deliberately detrimental to someone, and especially not in a sneaky fashion (i.e. don't try to obfuscate it).
  
• Don't flood the channel. Use #overflow or some such. If you need to show a configuration file or long error message, make use of public paste servers such as:
  • http://dpaste.net
    
  • http://pastebin.ca
    
• ##slackware exists as a Slackware discussion channel and as a help resource for users. Newcomers and "Old Hats" alike will be more likely to receive quality assistance if they heed the following suggestions:
  
  1. When asking a question, be prepared to show evidence that you've researched it on your own. We like to help, but we don't want to do it for you.
     
  2. If you're asked for additional information, please provide it. If you're unsure as to why some one wants to see a config file or a routing statement or anything similar, just ask them. In this way, you and others might learn something about how the different parts of your Slackware Linux system interact in addition to solving your problem.
     
• ##slackware exists for Slackers to share their knowledge about Slackware Linux and topics related to Slackware (e.g. system administration and security concerns, networking Slackware with other operating systems, etcetera). With that said, we do not mind off-topic (OT) discussions or questions, but we ask that you refrain from such discussions if someone wishes to discuss something that *is* on-topic. Think of the channel in the same way that you would think of a radio channel. When everyone talks at once, the result is a jumble of confusion. By "vacating" the channel of off-topic discussion when some one has an on-topic discussion, we all benefit.
  
• In recent years, it has become popular to "break" a few of the old IRC netiquette conventions. Generally speaking, we can't stop all of this, but repeat offenders will be dealt with. Specifically, as simple courtesies to everyone, we request that you not do the following things:
  
  • Don't private message (/msg) people without first asking and obtaining permission from them
    
  • Don't use IRC stat scripts. Nobody wants to see your nick change when you walk away from the keyboard, and nobody wants to see your current music selection announced. However, some channel regulars IRC from work and suffix "-work" or some such to their nickname when doing so.
    
  • Name calling and particularly vulgar language is frowned upon. With that said, we are not nannies and aren't going to wash your mouth out with soap for petty offenses. Racist, sexist, and similar language will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Hackers know that someone's skin color, gender, and/or sexual orientation has nothing to do with ability to contribute to the group. Along similar lines, your latest "bedroom conquests" aren't at all related to Slackware and won't be tolerated (unless some how they *are* related to Slackware, in which case we'd like to hear about them. ;^)
    
  • Repeated/persistent personal attacks are not tolerated.
    
  • If you have been banned or de-voiced from a channel, don't try to avoid the punishment by changing nicks or similar methods. We will ban your entire netblock if need be. If you feel that you have been unfairly blocked, speak to one of the channel ops politely. If you are indeed innocent or have "learned your lesson", we will likely be happy to remove the block.
    
  • If you have questions about how to do something in some other distribution, you should check in that distribution's support forums and/or channels - ##slackware is for Slackware support.
    
  • Third party package management tools, such as slapt-get and swaret, are not supported in ##slackware. This does not necessarily mean that discussion is off-limits, nor does it necessarily mean that you will not receive help if you encounter problems from using them, but the best place for support with those tools is in their respective channels and/or support forums. The same principle applies to the third-party gnome builds for Slackware.
    Third party packages vary widely in quality; some repos are good and some are not so good. That being the case, the best place to get support for third party packages is from the person(s) who packaged them.
    The following links should not be construed as endorsements or recommendations from ##slackware, but they might be better sources of help with the respective projects:
    • SlackBuilds.org or #slackbuilds on freenode
      
    • sbopkg or #sbopkg on freenode
  
  
• Have fun and Happy Slacking!