Slackware vs. Debian

[Garibaldi]

I tried googling this topic but I didn't have any really good results.

I was wondering in your opinions which distro would be better for me, Debian or Slackware.

-> I would like a fast and efficient OS
-> I would like to be able to keep it up-to-date, obviously apt-get would help here, I would also like to use a new (stable) kernel, I've heard that Woody uses an old one compared to Slackware
-> I would like to be able to do video-editing (multimedia support)
-> I have no problems using a console or "getting my hands dirty"
-> I would like to be able to upgrade the OS version easily, I've heard that upgrading to the new version of Slackware requires basically a new install, but Debian just requires an apt command
-> I would like to be in control (for the most part) of my OS

Based on these critera what OS do you think would be best suited for me needs? Currently I'm running a version of Slackware, but I'm wondering if Debian is in my future.

[tekkieman]

Ok, first, rule out Red Hat. Too expensive. Red Het Enterprise Linux is the commercial version of Fedora. You might also rule out Fedora ( I use it), as multimedia support is not part of the core install due to license issues. Not sure which other distros do this. Gentoo will really get your hands dirty, but is paradise for those who love to tweak. My understanding is that Mandrake only does updates through the Mandrake Community (a subscription service).

Those comments aside, most of the distros use the same kernel, so I would suggest comparing which features are packaged with which distro, and decide from there. Some use RPM, yum, apt-get...
Some are packaged with MP3 capability in the distro (most do not). Some ship with both KDE and GNOME, some only one. Really, just a difference in packaging.

[Garibaldi]

Ok, first, rule out Red Hat. Too expensive. Red Het Enterprise Linux is the commercial version of Fedora. You might also rule out Fedora ( I use it), as multimedia support is not part of the core install due to license issues. Not sure which other distros do this. Gentoo will really get your hands dirty, but is paradise for those who love to tweak. My understanding is that Mandrake only does updates through the Mandrake Community (a subscription service).

Those comments aside, most of the distros use the same kernel, so I would suggest comparing which features are packaged with which distro, and decide from there. Some use RPM, yum, apt-get...
Some are packaged with MP3 capability in the distro (most do not). Some ship with both KDE and GNOME, some only one. Really, just a difference in packaging.

Right, I was only really thinking of Slackware, Debian, or maybe Gentoo anyway. I know that Slackware has swaret (which I use and think is fine) but from what I can tell it doesn't detect the stuff I installed from source, so its hard to upgrade this. As far as a windowmanager I switch off between KDE and Fluxbox.

[tekkieman]

Right, I was only really thinking of Slackware, Debian, or maybe Gentoo anyway.

Then why include all the others in the poll? :P

[Garibaldi]

Then why include all the others in the poll?

To see if other people use those, and which distro is most popular here at videohelp.

[bazooka]

Of course I use Fedora and XP

I have messed with Damn Small Linux from time to time.

[Garibaldi]

Of course I use Fedora and XP

I have messed with Damn Small Linux from time to time.

Of course. What do you think about other distros? Obviously Fedora is on the cutting edge, and can tend to be more unstable than other distros because of that reason.

[bazooka]

SuSe was ok

I need to try gentoo.