SARPi Project - Slacking on a Raspberry Pi

SARPi Project - sarpi.penthux.net

What you need to know about the SARPi Project

The SARPi Project exists to support and promote the Slackware Linux operating system, particularly on ARM-based Raspberry Pi single board computers. We are a Linux comminuty group of individuals who focus on sharing our knowledge and efforts in the hope that it will assist others so that they may benefit from using Slackware Linux.

The inception of the SARPi Project took place in November 2011, as a consequence of a conversation between two friends regarding a new ARM-based hardware platform, the Raspberry Pi. An idea was proposed, and later pursued in March/April 2012 due to a growing lack of community (and developer) public interest and support for Slackware Linux on the Raspberry Pi, to create and develop, and eventually share publicly, a method that would facilitate the installation of Slackware Linux onto this single board computer. The plan was to install Slackware onto a SD card plugged in to the Raspberry Pi (i.e. just like it would be on a PC and not to simply 'flash a pre-installed disk image'). We saw great potential in furthering this idea to attract new (and existing) users towards getting involved with Slackware Linux on the ARM platform. As alienbob blogged in November 2011, "If we are going to bring Slackware to the masses, this ARM device would be a nice vehicle.", this premise was wholeheartedly shared by us and fuelled our motivation. In July 2012, Dave Spencer published his raspi-slackbuild work on GitHub, which gave us a lot of inspiration and made things much easier, for us and everyone else who was interested in running Slackware on the Raspberry Pi devices. Almost a year after our original 'Slackware Linux on a Raspberry Pi' conversation took place, where the objectives were discussed, the dream became a reality and was fully realised. "And the rest," as they say, "is history".

Some SARPi facts, and FAQs! ;-)

What the SARPi Project is.
What the SARPi Project isn't.
Where to download the SARPi build scripts .
How, why, and when the SARPi Project started.
SARPi Project Website Cookie Policy.
SARPi Project Website General Use Policy.
SARPi Project Terms & Conditions.
SARPi Project Software Acceptable Use Policy.
SARPi Project Software Redistribution Policy.
SARPi Project Privacy Policy.
SARPi Project External Website Links.
Contacting The SARPi Project.

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What The SARPi Project Is & Does Do...

• "SARPi" is an acronym of "Slacking on A Raspberry Pi" which is an allusion to Slackware Linux users (a.k.a. "Slackers") using this particular Linux distibution (a.k.a. "Slacking"). It's the name of this project; the website, the software, the guides and tutorial(s), the whole shebang!

• The SARPi Project are ardent advocates of Slackware Linux.

• The SARPi Project's main focus and purpose is to support and promote the installation of compatible and official Slackware Linux operating systems on the Raspberry Pi single board computer device(s) using modified installer disk images and system packages. This software is freely available from the Downloads page.

• The SARPi Project is involved in creating and distributing SARPi installer disk images in order to assist with, and facilitate, the installation of official Slackware ARM operating systems on the Raspberry Pi device(s). These installer disk images have been created from official Slackware sources but are not official Slackware software and are freely available from the Downloads page.

• The SARPi Project is involved in building and distributing purpose-built Slackware system packages to upgrade the kernel, kernel modules, and Raspberry Pi boot-firmware.

• The SARPi Project does modify official Slackware Linux installer scripts and source-tree files in order to create SARPi installer images and initramfs archives for using to install Slackware Linux operating systems on Raspberry Pi computer devices. This software is freely available from the Downloads page.

• The SARPi Project Downloads Repository is kindly hosted by Slackware.UK mirror services.

• The SARPi Project is involved in maintaining a Slackware ARM installer guide, which is a step-by-step, end-to-end, tutorial to assist with, and facilitate, the installation of Slackware Linux ARM-based operating systems on the Raspberry Pi device(s) using the SARPi installer disk images.

• The SARPi Project is involved in creating mini-projects which users may find interesting and fun to do after Slackware Linux has been installed.

• All SARPi Project website content, and any statements, claims, opinions, test results, or otherwise, expressed or implied, herein, are those of the SARPi Team members and contributors alone. They are not reflective of any external influences and should be understood and treated as such.

• The SARPi Project is a Linux community effort by individuals and not officially supported or endorsed by Slackware Linux, Inc., or Raspberry Pi Ltd., or any of their members, trustees, partners, or associates.

What The SARPi Project Isn't & Doesn't Do...

• "SARPi" is not an operating system. You do not install "SARPi". You do not run a "SARPi OS". You install and run the official Slackware Linux operating system on the Raspberry Pi devices by using a "SARPi installer".

• The SARPi Project does not modify any Raspberry Pi closed-source boot-firmware or wireless firmware files, within the SARPi installers and packages it distributes.

• The SARPi Project does not offer technical support for [other] unofficial Slackware ARM related projects or third party software. If you have anything to contribute, or have any questions, or require any help with any Slackware issue(s), please use the Slackware LinuxQuestions.org forum. You can also visit the #armedslack IRC Channel on irc.libera.chat for the same purpose(s).

• The SARPi Project does not offer support on, "How to avoid Slackware Linux issues by following instructions correctly."

• The SARPi Project does not support the Raspberry Pi Zero [2] [W], but the appropriate SARPi installers and packages can still be used on the Raspberry Pi Zero [2] devices successfully.

The SARPi Project does not take individual instructions, dictations, directions, or demands, from third parties of any nature or on any level. Any friendly suggestions and advice are always more than acceptable and welcome. Outright orders and commands are never acceptable or welcome. The only exceptions are any formal communications regarding software licence infringement, or breaches of copyright, or violations of applicable and relevant national and international laws.

• The SARPi Project does not seek, request, or require any type of reward, acknowledgement, gain, or benefit, through endorsement or appraisal, whether it be spoken, written, financial, or otherwise, from any of its created software, published work, or shared information. What the SARPi Project creates and decides to share publicly is mostly based around the work of others and exists in order to assist and support our own interests and hopefully those of the Linux community.

• The SARPi Project is not affiliated with, or officially endorsed by Slackware Linux, Inc., or Raspberry Pi Ltd., or any of their members, trustees, partners, or associates.

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Where To Download The SARPi Build Scripts

The installer disk image and system package build scripts...

The original and unmodified build scripts, initially used by the SARPi Project to create the SARPi installer and system packages for the Raspberry Pi (1), are Copyright © 2012 Dave Spencer and named "raspi-slackbuild". These scripts can be downloaded from the idlemoor • raspi-slackbuild GitHub repository and can easily be modified in order to build for any Raspberry Pi version, and many other ARM-based single board computer devices. For those interested in how to create their own Slackware Linux installer-boot software on the Raspberry Pi, see the SARPi sources page.

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How, Why, & When The SARPi Project Started

The SARPi Project started slowly...

Circa November 2011 - Two guys, Aal and Exaga, discussed a techie-news story about an ARM-based single-board computer, known as the "Raspberry Pi", and if the device was suitable for running Slackware ARM and, if so, how to go about installing it. The Raspberry Pi Model B device was released to the public on 29 February 2012. By April 2012, it had taken the world by storm; fast becoming a phenomenon - but strangely seemed to lack any real Slackware Linux community (or developer) interest or support. This prompted even more interest from us and motivated us to deeply investigate how to start supporting the device ourselves as a bona fide Linux community project. In the meantime, two Raspberry Pi Model B devices were ordered from Farnell/element14. By the end of May 2012 there was now an apparent, and almost complete, lack of interest on the Internet for the Raspberry Pi running Slackware ARM. Something needed to be done about this because the Raspberry Pi was primarily designed as a Linux-based educational tool and the most suitable operating system on which to learn is Slackware Linux, without a doubt. Great patience was required as delays in delivery times increased from 4 weeks up to an estimated +6 months! Such was the demand for the imaginative Raspberry Pi device. May/June/July/August/September 2012 passed by with much anticipation of the Raspberry Pi(s) being delivered.

Finally! In the first week of October 2012 two Raspberry Pi devices arrived in the post, and they were the [revised and newly updated] 512MB RAM versions. Work began on installing Slackware ARM 13.37 onto the devices. Success was quickly achieved using modified versions of Dave Spencer's raspi-slackbuild scripts. Consequently, the SARPi Project website initially went live on Friday 26 October 2012 at 10:18PM. Since that day of days (over +11 years ago and counting) the SARPi Project has been very active in contributing towards the general Slackware Linux community online and via the SARPi Project website, by offering a similar and very familiar SARPi installer with accompanying system packages, and a comprehensive installation tutorial, for SARPi Project supported Raspberry Pi devices.

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SARPi Project Website Cookie Policy

The SARPi Project is very aware of the trust that you place in us, and our responsibility to protect your privacy, while browsing this website. As part of this responsibility, we are transparent about how the SARPi Project website uses cookies, and what's involved should you agree to allow them.

• Whether or not the SARPi Project website cookies have been accepted and allowed by you, there are no benefits or disadvantages to the accessibility and functionality of the SARPi Project website.

How the SARPi Project website uses cookies...

• SARPi Project website cookies are small text files which are placed on your computer, or mobile device, by our web server, each time you visit sarpi.penthux.net. These cookies contain two elements of data; our domain name (i.e. sarpi.penthux.net), and a unique 'session ID'. The cookies containing this information are stored on your own device(s), which are retrieved whenever you revisit the SARPi Project website. This can indicate how often a particular session ID visits the website and when, which content is accessed and how often, how long a session ID is active on the website, and when it leaves. These session IDs may be unique but they contain no data that can identify you as an individual and are not used for any purpose other than website analytics. Therefore, the data involved is entirely anonymous and completely harmless as far as SARPi Project website visitors and their security are concerned.

• You are made aware (by means of an on-screen pop-up box) that cookies are being used while you browse this website. Most modern web browsers automatically accept cookies, but if you disagree with the use of cookies then you can usually modify your browser settings to occlude them. The contents and features of this website are not affected by the refusal of any cookies.

• When you agree to allow SARPi Project website cookies, by clicking on the button on the cookie notice popup box, another cookie will be generated by your browser, named "cookieCompliancyCookie", and stored on your computer device. This is a persistent standard which signifies that cookies have been accepted by the user (i.e. you) and the SARPi Project website cookies policy popup box will not appear again until this cookie expires.

• SARPi Project website cookies have an expiration date of 90 days.

• The SARPi Project employs cookies to gather data for analytics of this website, and for no other purpose(s). This data is used to formulate statistics to determine which elements of the website are most popular, such as URL and file downloads.

• SARPi Project website cookies do not track your browsing activity, or history, while using this website or outside of it.

• SARPi Project website cookies do not record, maintain, or transfer, any user requests, settings, or configurations, across webpages on this website.

• SARPi Project website cookies do not request, or collect, any personal information that can be used to identify you.

• SARPi Project website cookies do not grant, or otherwise request, access to your computer or any personal data you may have stored on it.

• The SARPi Project website explicitly uses first-party session cookies and persistent cookies that are provided only by the SARPi Project.

• There are no third party cookies by advertisers, or otherwise, involved on the SARPi Project website.

• SARPi Project website cookies are not shared with any third parties whatsoever.

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SARPi Project Website General Use Policy

If you continue to use this website, including, but not limited to, any available software or content, you are agreeing to comply with, and be bound by, the following terms and conditions, which govern the SARPi Project's relationship with you in relation to this website.

Use of the SARPi Project website...

• The failure of the SARPi Project to exercise or enforce any right or provision of these terms and conditions shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision. These terms and conditions constitute the entire agreement between you and the SARPi Project and govern your use of this website, including any software or content.

• NB: If you disagree with any part of the SARPi Project Website General Use Policy please do not use, or rely on, the sarpi.penthux.net website content, or software, that is available.

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SARPi Project Terms & Conditions

General Terms & Conditions...

• The content, including, but not limited to, material and software, available on the sarpi.penthux.net website is for general information only. It is subject to revision, amendment, or change, or removal, without prior notice. Any content that changes, or is omitted, on this website shall be subject to these terms and conditions. Continued use of this website after any updates, or changes, or omissions, shall constitute your agreement and acceptance. You may review the terms and conditions at any time on this page.

• The SARPi Project provides no guarantees or warranties as to the performance, merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or any other warranties whether expressed or implied, for the accuracy, or timeliness, or completeness, or suitability, of any content, or information, or material, or software, found on, or offered by, the sarpi.penthux.net website. You acknowledge that such content, or information, or material, or software, may contain inaccuracies, or errors, and the SARPi Project expressly excludes any liability for direct, indirect, special, incidental, or consequential, damages resulting from the use of, misuse of, or inability to use, any content, or information, or material, or software, to the fullest extent permitted by law.

• Your reliance, or use, of any content, or information, or material, or software, which is available from the sarpi.penthux.net website, is entirely at your own risk, for which the SARPi Project shall not be liable. It shall be your own responsibility to ensure that any content, or information, or material, or software, which is available through this website, is suitable and meets with your specific requirements.

• The SARPi Project will not be liable for any loss incurred by the use, or modification, or suspension, or unavailability, or discontinuance, or distribution, of the sarpi.penthux.net website content, or information, or material, or software, available herein.

• The sarpi.penthux.net website contains intellectual property and material which is owned by, or licensed to, the SARPi Project. This content includes, but is not limited to, the design, layout, look, appearance, graphics, and downloads. Reproduction and/or distribution of any content under the proprietorship of the SARPi Project is permitted providing that any downloaded, copied, or quoted, material, or software, remains intact and unmodified from the original.

• Any and all trademarks, or copyrighted materials, or copyrighted softwares, reproduced or made available on the sarpi.penthux.net website, which are not under the proprietorship of, or are licensed to, the SARPi Project, are acknowledged herein.

• While any sarpi.penthux.net sustentation is carried out, this website may be intermittently in "Maintenance Mode". In this event, the main content of this website will be inaccessible for the duration. SARPi downloads will still be available from the Slackware.UK mirror repository during these maintenance periods. Please be patient until any maintenance work has been completed.

• Unauthorised and/or detrimental use of the sarpi.penthux.net website may give rise to a claim for damages, and/or be a criminal offence.

• NB: If you disagree with any part of the SARPi Project Terms & Conditions please do not use, or rely on, the sarpi.penthux.net website content, or software, that is available.

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SARPi Project Software Acceptable Use Policy

Anyone downloading or using SARPi Project software must do so while agreeing to and observing the following conditions:

• Understand that you are personally responsible and accountable for what you do with any software created by the SARPi Project. Be it privately or publicly, locally or remotely, online or otherwise.

• Ensure that your activities does not damage the reputation of the SARPi Project or any interested parties, its individual contributors or associated members or partners. These activities include but are not limited to using, accessing, storing, transmitting, or distributing links to, any material that:

◦ Is obtained or used in violation of any copyright(s) or in breach of any licence agreement(s).

◦ Provide unauthorised modifications, views, or commitments, that could appear to be on behalf of the SARPi Project.

◦ Could embarrass or compromise the SARPi Project, or its contributors, associated members, partners, or any respective individual or collective interests, in any way.

◦ Can be reasonably considered as harassment of, or insulting to, others. Individually or collectively.

◦ Is offensive, indecent or obscene, including but not exclusive to abusive language, images, and literature.

◦ Is illicit and prohibited by domestic and/or international law.

• NB: If you disagree with any part of the SARPi Project Software Acceptable Use Policy do not download or make use of any SARPi Project software whatsoever.

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SARPi Project Software Redistribution Policy

Anyone sharing or distributing any SARPi Project software must do so while agreeing to and observing the following conditions:

• Any original and/or unchanged SARPi Project software may be freely shared and distributed by you without limitation or restriction.

• For personal use (i.e. if it is only being used by you for your own individual purposes) any SARPi Project software may be freely revised and/or modified, without limitation or restriction.

• For public use (i.e. if it is being shared by you with any third party or individuals) any SARPi Project software that has been modified from the original software available on sarpi.penthux.net should remain intact, as much as possible, and any changes must be clearly recorded by means of a README file or ChangeLog or other easily accessible documented notation, that highlights any alterations, omissions, or upgrades, that have been implemented. All file headers and copyright/licensing details included in the original must be kept intact, including any existent author, contributor, and revision details therein.

• Not to share or distribute any SARPi Project software, in its entirety or in part, that has been modified by you or anyone else that could appear as the original software available from sarpi.penthux.net.

• Not to share or distribute any SARPi Project software, in its entirety or in part, that has been taken or modified from the original software available from sarpi.penthux.net that could appear as your own work or that of someone else.

• NB: If you disagree with any part of the SARPi Project Software Redistribution Policy do not share or distribute any SARPi Project software whatsoever.

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SARPi Project Privacy Policy

Protecting your privacy...

• The SARPi Project is fully committed to ensuring that your privacy is protected. No data, or information, which is accumulated from your interaction(s) with the sarpi.penthux.net website will be shared or traded with, or disclosed to, a third party.

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SARPi Project External Website Links

Links to external websites...

• The sarpi.penthux.net website may publish and include links to external websites. These links are provided for your convenience to offer further information. This does not necessarily imply that the SARPi Project endorses any external website(s), or any content therein. The SARPi Project does not manage, and has no influence or responsibility over, the content(s) of any externally linked websites.

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Contacting The SARPi Project

Contact us...

Any questions about these terms and conditions should be addressed to support.