View source for Slax

{{Short description|Linux distribution}}
{{Distinguish|Slaxx}}
{{Infobox OS
| name = Slax
| logo = Slax_linux_logo.svg
| logo_size = 100px
| screenshot = Slax.jpg
| caption = Slax 11.2 RC1
| developer = Tomáš Matějíček
| family = [[Linux]] ([[Unix-like]])
| working_state = Current
| source_model = [[Open-source software|Open source]]
| latest release version = {{wikidata|property|preferred|reference|edit|Q337503|P348|P548=Q2804309}}<ref name="LATESTRELEASE">{{cite web|url=https://www.slax.org/blog/27718-New-Slax-released.html|title=Releasing Slax 11.6 (Debian), 15.0 (Slackware)|date=2 February 2023}}</ref>
| latest release date = {{Start date and age|{{wikidata|qualifier|preferred|single|Q337503|P348|P548=Q2804309|P577}}}}
| kernel_type = [[Monolithic kernel|Monolithic]]
| license = Various
| website = {{URL|https://slax.org/}}
}}

'''Slax''' is a [[LiveCD]] [[Linux distribution]] developed by Tomáš Matějíček and based on upstream customizable Linux distributions. Packages can be added by apt package manager or can be prepared as modules. The [[tagline]] for Slax refers to itself as "your pocket [[Operating System|operating system]]". 

== Features ==
One of the main benefits of the Slax distribution is its ease of customization. Additional software can be added and removed, using Slax modules. A traditional [[package management system|package manager]] such as Debian's [[Advanced Packaging Tool|APT]] is not required to load additional software; Slax modules are completely self-contained. However, APT is fully supported. Users can also modify the default CD image or USB drive installation to customize the packages available in the distribution on boot. Slax also allows Debian packages to be converted into Slax modules.

Slax modules are compressed read-only [[SquashFS]] [[file system]] images that are compressed with an [[Lempel–Ziv–Markov chain algorithm|LZMA]] compressor. The various modules are stacked together to build the complete Slax [[root directory]]. A supplemental writable layer (a [[tmpfs]] file system) is put on the top of the stack to implement the write functionality.

The stackable file system of choice changed between Slax versions 5 ([[UnionFS]]) and 6 ([[aufs]]), as did the module file name extension (changed from {{Not a typo|.mo}} to {{Not a typo|.sb}}).

==Versions==
Sources:<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070703235311/http://www.slax.org/changelog.php Changelog (1.8.0.1-5.1.8.1)]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.slax.org/changelog.php |title=Changelog (9.3.0-)|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220828072633/http://www.slax.org/changelog.php |archivedate=2022-08-28}}</ref>

===Slackware-Live! 1===
Slackware-Live! 1.8.0.1 was based on Slackware 8.0. Slackware-Live! 1.81.0.21 was based on Slackware 8.1.

===Slackware-Live! 2===
Slackware-Live! 2.9.0.1 was based on Slackware 9.0.

===Slax 3===
Slackware-Live! was renamed to SLAX in 3.0.24.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://distrowatch.com/index.php?distribution=slax |title=Slax - News |publisher=[[DistroWatch]] |access-date=2010-01-31}}</ref>

===Slax 4===
Slax 4.0.1 is based on 4.0.1 linux live scripts with Linux Kernel 2.4.25.
Slax 4.2.0 special is based on SLAX 4.2.0.

===Slax 5===
There were five editions of Slax 5:
* '''Slax Standard''' was the standard edition for normal personal use, introduced in Slax 5.0.0.
* '''Slax KillBill''' included [[Wine (software)|Wine]], [[DOSBox]], and [[QEMU]] to run [[MS-DOS]] and [[Windows]] applications, introduced with Slax 5.0.2.
* '''Slax Server''' supplied additional Internet functionality and came with pre-configured [[Domain Name System|DNS]], [[Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol|DHCP]], [[Samba (software)|Samba]], [[Hypertext Transfer Protocol|HTTP]], [[File Transfer Protocol|FTP]], [[MySQL]], [[Simple Mail Transfer Protocol|SMTP]], [[Post Office Protocol|POP3]], [[Internet Message Access Protocol|IMAP]] and [[Secure Shell|SSH]] servers and several other server applications, introduced with Slax 5.0.8.
* '''Slax Popcorn''' was a minimalistic edition focused on browsing and multimedia playback, introduced with Slax 5.0.5. It featured [[Mozilla Firefox]] as the default [[web browser]] and the lightweight [[Xfce]] as a [[desktop environment]] instead of [[KDE]].
* '''Slax Frodo''' was a "bare bones" edition, providing only a full-featured text-only environment, particularly focused on computers with small amounts of RAM.

The [[Fluxbox]] [[Window Manager]] was an option in all editions except Frodo.<ref>[http://www.linux.com/news/review-slax-506 Review: Slax 5.0.6 | Linux.com | The source of Linux information]</ref><ref>[http://www.tuxmachines.org/node/6760 Slax 5.1.4 - Your Pocket OS | Tux Machines]</ref><ref>[http://www.tuxmachines.org/node/1193 Mini-Review of A mini slack | Tux Machines]</ref><ref>[http://distrowatch.com/weekly.php?issue=20050502#fdow Featured distribution of the week: SLAX], DistroWatch Weekly</ref>

Slax 5.0.0 standard edition is based on Slackware-current and Linux Live 5 with UnionFS and SquashFS, Linux kernel 2.6.11.6.

===Slax 6===
Slax 6 is offered in a single version and completely relies on modules (additional packages) for extra features. From version 6, modules are based on LZMA compression, but some compatibility was initially provided between the obsolete .mo modules used by Slax version 5 and the more recent {{Not a typo|.lzm}} modules of version 6. As there have been some changes between Linux kernel versions during sub-version releases of Slax 6, however, the .mo modules of Slax 5 are now considered obsolete. Each module or package should be compiled for compatibility with the Linux kernel currently in use.<ref>[https://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/slax.html SLAX Linux - Your pocket operating system - Review], Dedoimedo</ref><ref>[http://www.linux.com/articles/127892 Latest Slax release needs more time in the oven | Linux.com | The source of Linux information]</ref>

===Slax 7===
Slax version 7 was announced on the developer's blog (which has now been integrated into a newly refreshed Slax website). Slax 7 supports both 64-bit and 32-bit architectures, and according to its download page, "is available in more than 50 languages". It also features a stripped-down version of KDE 4, a new wallpaper, and a new module system.<ref>[https://www.pcworld.com/article/2020576/after-three-years-slax-linux-is-reborn-with-version-7-0.html After three years, Slax Linux is reborn with version 7.0 | PCWorld]</ref><ref>[http://www.everydaylinuxuser.com/2013/03/everyday-linux-user-review-of-slax.html Everyday Linux User Review of SLAX]</ref>

===Slax 9===
In November 2017, the developer announced the release of version 9. This latest edition is heavily rewritten and is based on [[Debian]], and relies on APT to add packages. The default builds (both 32-bit and 64-bit) contain Fluxbox window manager with a terminal, [[Chromium (web browser)|Chromium]] web browser, LeafPad text editor, calculator, {{Not a typo|pcmanfm}} file manager, and {{Not a typo|wicd}} network manager.<ref>[https://news.softpedia.com/news/debian-based-slax-9-3-linux-os-enters-beta-with-improved-ext4-and-ntfs-booting-519008.shtml Debian-Based Slax 9.3 Linux OS Enters Beta with Improved EXT4 and NTFS Booting], Softpedia News</ref><ref>[https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=Slax-9.3-Released Slax 9.3 Is The Latest In Resurrecting This Longtime, Lightweight Linux Distribution - Phoronix] </ref>

===Slax 11===
Slax 11.2 is based on [[Debian]] Bullseye (version 11.2).<ref>[http://www.slax.org/blog/25819-Testing-Slax-11.2-based-on-Debian-Bullseye.html Testing Slax 11.2 based on Debian Bullseye]</ref><ref>[http://www.slax.org/blog/25884-Releasing-final-Slax-11-2-0.html Releasing final Slax 11.2.0]</ref> Slax 11.3 is based on Debian version 11.3.0.<ref>[http://www.slax.org/blog/25964-Releasing-Slax-11.3.html Releasing Slax 11.3]</ref> Slax 11.4 is based on Debian version 11.4.0.<ref name=slax11.4-15>[http://www.slax.org/blog/27433-Releasing-Slax-15.0-based-on-Slackware-again-after-9-years-and-11.4-based-on-Debian-.html Releasing Slax 15.0 (based on Slackware again after 9 years) and 11.4 (based on Debian)]</ref> Slax 11.6 is based on Debian version 11.6.0.

===Slax 15===
Slax 15.0 is based on [[Slackware]] 15.<ref>[http://www.slax.org/blog/27412-Slax-based-on-Slackware-15.0.html Slax based on Slackware 15.0]</ref><ref name=slax11.4-15 />

== See also ==
* [[Lightweight Linux distribution]]
* [[List of Linux distributions that run from RAM]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}<!--added above External links/Sources by script-assisted edit-->

== External links ==
{{commons category|Slax}}
* [http://www.slax.org/ Official website]
* [http://www.tomas-m.com/blog/ Slax developer's blog]
* {{DistroWatch|slax|NAME=Slax}}
* [http://www.ab9il.net/slax/slax-customization1.html Customizing Slax Configurations]
; '''Reviews:'''
* [http://dailylinuxuser.com/2013/03/everyday-linux-user-review-of-slax.html Everyday Linux User Review of SLAX]

{{Linux distributions}}

[[Category:Debian-based distributions]]
[[Category:Light-weight Linux distributions]]
[[Category:Linux distributions]]
[[Category:Live CD]]
[[Category:Live USB]]
[[Category:LiveDistro]]
[[Category:Operating system distributions bootable from read-only media]]
[[Category:Slackware]]
[[Category:SLAX-based distributions]]