Other Distributions -- Flavours of Linux
The predecessors of the Kzoppix/Sloppix distribution are:
Slackware
The strength of this system is its simplicity of organization and core
initial installation. It has been the basis of my own system since Slackware
v1.x, and while part of the attractiveness of any system is the user's
familiarity of that systems (a pitfall), I think it is a legitimate point to
make that the keying of /etc/rc.d files by run-level comprehensive scripts
makes the understanding of the overall picture of what is going on in the
system a bit more easily taken in from a birdseye view by the lone sysop of
a family / small enterprise setup.
The perceived weakness of this distro is that while it upgrades well holus
bolus, the adding on of additional programs and suites generally requires
recompilation and a more hands-on knowledge of the system layout itself.
With Slackware, more attention is needed
to segregating the "stock" system infrastructure
(which can be replaced with each upgrade)
from the "custom" user data
-- including the sysadmin's own unique data --
(which generally must be preserved across upgrades).
Knoppix
The biggest strength of this distro is its hardware sensing and
auto-configuration. Running from a RO medium also encourages
a distinction to be made between stock and custom data.
Advances in installation to hard disk and the merging of multiple
cloop images open new frontiers in terms of creating robust immutable
systems images which are both inherently secure, and self documenting.
Being built on the Debian file standard does mean that a certain convolution
of the file structure has resulted, particulary with regard to the placement
of the KDE files.
Of particular interest to Zyqote is the ClusterKnoppix system for creating
ad hoc clusters. This idea is particularly relevant to the creation
of rendering farms, and is especially relevant to Zyqote's
Smoos
project.
Debian
The biggest strength of this distro is its upgradability from online
repositorys (although this contains a weakness or two as well) and amplifies
the delays inherent as a beta release becomes stable enough to be included
in the code layer.
Redhat
The need to rival Windows in containing full GUI configurability has
obfuscated some of the underlying simplicity of a Linux system -- but this
distro has a large installed base, and a large developer base, thus ensuring
that its package management system [RPM] is well-populated with developers
seeking to make quick adoption of the projects among the RedHat base an easy
path.
Zyqote's Mission Statement: To promote the use of Linux by developing
the state of its art; leveraging the superiority of the open development model
over proprietary models through contributions to the most abstract levels of
systems design and high-level programming; through the early and speculative
release of prototypes; and the provision of popularly accessible
content-oriented implementations designed to grow the critical mass of the
installed Linux user base. Heaven knows how this will eventually translate
into monetary sustenance, and part of our mission shall be an examination of
the philosopical, economic, social, legal, and political ramifications of a
technocratically infrastructured society. Zyqote shall think and speak in
terms of "our" and "we", even if its founder, [;J. F. Cuff;] is but a voice
in the wilderness. Friends will gather 'round. Our time will come.