Originally posted here by God's Whore
So basically I'm right, there is no major difference other than what they bunch into the distro and the few cosmetic differences they add? So why not just release a base kernel (I'm sure they do) and let users load up the software they want? Why the need for distros... and why are you so elitist about SuSE when logically I can take Slack, install KDE, add a few icons and install a few pkgs and have the same thing basically?
You're somewhat right. A lot of Distributions change the Kernel to make it more secure for example. The SUSE Kernel is supposedly very customized.

As for a base Kernel...What do you think they did before "Distributions" existed?

As for making Slackware SUSE, you can't. Well not free anyway. SUSE comes with a lot of pay for software, which is why when you download it, it's a lot less than the bought version. It comes with a lot of software that's got a license, like Anti Virii and things like that, and Database applications, you name it.

Ohh, Slackware already comes with KDE by the way. And the reason I'm elitist about SUSE, well, I'm German, SUSE is German, and SUSE like most other Flavors, has a custom way of doing things, and SUSE's way is the best. YAST2 is probably the best administration tool ever, and SUSE has a lot fo things that you normally would never find already on the install DVDs. Also, there are things like video editing tools which are not GPLd that SUSE puts on the DVDs.

And I'm not just a SUSE elitist, I am with Slackware too. SUSE and Slackware are the two best, no questions asked.