Seasons 1 and 2 were not aired in the intended order. The original third episode had a scene that was cut due to that. Said scene introduced the 29.7 year problem - if they missed their slide, they had to wait 29.7 years for the next one. The order presented here also avoids other continuity issues, such as the original Season 3 opener (3x02) which introduced a different timer and a different set of rules. Both of which play a factor in 3x01.
Sliders Timeline
by Oktavius DeLally