Wolvix is a desktop oriented GNU/Linux distribution based on Slackware. It features the Xfce desktop environment and a comprehensive selection of development, graphics, multimedia, network and office applications. Using Wolvix does not require more than basic computer skills, but installing and administering the system might require more knowledge than some of the other GNU/Linux distributions.

This week I decided to take a look at a lesser known distribution called Wolvix Linux. Wolvix is based on Slackware and, according to the Wolvix site, is geared toward the home user. But how well does it really work for home users?

Wolvix 2.0.0 is a Linux distribution based on the popular Slackware 12.2. Built on top of the 2.6.27.9 Linux kernel, Wolvix comes with a lot of modern software packages. The much improved Xfce 4.6 is its default desktop environment.

I first tried Wolvix as a live CD in its 1.0.5 version back in November 2006 and was immediately blown away by it (read my review here). Since then I've had Wolvix 1.1.0 (Hunter) installed in two different virtual machines and a laptop, as well as having run it repeatedly as a live CD on various machines, and it has never let me down once.

Wolvix is probably one of the fastest rising distros today. First released 2 years ago, it has already gained plenty of loyal followers and is steadily going up in the ranks of Linux distributions over at Distrowatch. In fact, I received a couple of comments at this blog and some emails telling me to try Wolvix. So what’s so special about this beastly-named distro? I’m here to find out.

We all know that Slackware means stability and security. But Slackware has never been a distribution for the weak and elderly. It has always been regarded as one of the more geeky and difficult distros, alongside Gentoo. Until now. Well, Gentoo got Sabayon and Slackware got Wolvix.

With the release of Wolvix Hunter 1.1.0 the wolves are loose, and they are a pleasure to hunt with!

Another exciting month has almost passed. So far, I tried and tested two equally fantastic and capable Linux distributions. Wolvix 1.1.0 and Pardus 2007.3 are well-crafted distros that truly deserve some attention. Some might ask which one is better between the two. There’s only one way to find out. Let’s put Wolvix and Pardus on stage and start a distrowar.

Finding my long-lost Wolvix post got me itching to run it again. I haven't had it on the $0 Laptop (Gateway Solo 1450) in some time. It did a good job there, but I wasn't able to turn off the annoying tap-to-click feature on the laptop's Alps touchpad, and I've been pretty happy with how Debian Lenny is doing that and more, so my use of Wolvix has dropped quite a bit.