Slackware Linux is the only Linux distribution I could not test on its own merits simply because of its own rigid way of installing it but that is going to change soon.
I am currently downloading its latest 4.3 GiB DVD.
It is as old as Linux having celebrated 20 years.
However I have used Salix and SLAX.
SLAX is only Live and it has a very nice live script and module to make a Live CD but defunct now.
However, Porteus has taken over and produced both 32 and 64 bit version of Slackware derivative and they are under 400 MiB.
Slackware is unique in that it applies one utility for one function.
It does not allow for redundancy.
The utilities are time tested and stable but Slackware is bit resistant to allow Live CD/DVDs.
Salix has filled this an d it has number of Live CDs.
Absolute has done a good job of producing a Live Cd packed with utilities.
It is opposite of Gentoo which produces Live DVD but resistant to installers.
The two are on two opposite poles of the concepts.
But both uses the same principle of installing the Distribution from core utilities and then use the Internet for adding features.
Gentoo uses stepwise installation platform from a minimal core.
But one need a fast Internet and through understanding of how to use Linux in a networked environment.
Like Salix Sabayon has provided the Live CD/DVD environment.
For the sake of uniformity both should produce Live as well as installer DVDs and Gentoo is soon going to use Anaconda from Redhat for its installer.
