====== Sanitizing Slackware ======

The steps to deblob an existing Slackware installation would be quite easy if not for the necessity to replace the non-free kernel. While the task of rebuilding the kernel is arguably easier in Slackware than in many other GNU/Linux distributions, it is not for beginners. If you don't feel like learning to build the kernel, feel welcome to use our [[free repository]] to obtain binary kernel packages. As a middle ground, you can use our [[https://freenix.net/fxp/freeslack64-14.2/source/fxp/build/linux-libre/|kernel build script]] to make your own packages from [[http://www.fsfla.org/ikiwiki/selibre/linux-libre/|Linux-libre]] source.

That being said, you can de-blob Slackware in a completely manual fashion by doing this:

  - Use the licensing information we collected to make a list of non-free packages in your version of Slackware.
  - Regardless of its status, keep using the stock kernel headers package ''kernel-headers'' as if it was free. It is in fact free, and replacing it manually is a pain. 
  - Blacklist the offending Slackware packages in ''/etc/slackpkg/blacklist''. Make sure package names occupy separate lines, and avoid white space.
  - Build and install a free kernel together with modules (for example, [[http://www.fsfla.org/ikiwiki/selibre/linux-libre/|Linux-libre]]). The official documentation provides a [[http://docs.slackware.com/start?id=howtos%3Aslackware_admin%3Akernelbuilding|description of this process]]. Do not uninstall the stock kernel yet, in case the new kernel throws a fit.
  - Boot into the free kernel and remove the non-free Slackware packages with ''removepkg''.

===== Upgrading =====

We haven't tried this, but we don't know of a reason why it wouldn't work. Make a local copy of the Slackware repository, remove all non-free packages, and then upgrade as usual.

===== Caveats =====

Please be aware that as long as you keep using the official repository, non-free packages may still creep in during updates, unlikely as it is. We see no easy cure for this, short of switching to a [[Free Repository|free repository]].