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I’ve had numerous colleagues pitch Debian testing for desktop as stable has absolutely ancient packages. It’s never worked as well as Arch. This is the new sta

by tbrock 9y ago

I’ve had numerous colleagues pitch Debian testing for desktop as stable has absolutely ancient packages. It’s never worked as well as Arch. This is the new stack: Desktop/Laptop: Arch Server: CentOS/Amazon Small footprint: Alpine I’ve had my Arch install for 5 years and it still works with no issue. Latest packages, runs like a dream.

alexktz 9y ago
Docker makes the base OS largely irrelevant for testing in my workflows.
lfam 9y ago
It's better to use Debian Unstable because Testing doesn't get timely security updates.
- StudentStuff 9y ago
  Unstable (aka Sid) rarely lives up to its name, having ran it as my daily driver for a few years. Comparatively, the months I spent on Arch were marred by packaging issues resulting in me switching back to Debian. I want the maintainer to hold back an update and write patches when there are noteworthy regressions that hurt my workflow. The Debian package maintainers consistently act in my best interest, not that of the developer's or outside political interests. Turns out I find that really useful.
  - emilsedgh 9y ago
    Debian Unstable is the base for Ubuntu. It's not unstable at all.
    - marcosdumay 9y ago
      The "unstable" there means that everything changes all the time. It does not mean that things break (although they do break way more often than stable - when I tried it, I did have to reinstall the OS every few years).
- amenod 9y ago
  I was under the impression that `unstable` is... well, not stable (that it breaks). Is it usable for someone who doesn't want to spend much time fixing the system?
  - eikenberry 9y ago
    In Debian 'unstable' means that the package versions installed aren't stable. That is, there is a high level of package churn just like any rolling release. It isn't any more buggy/crash prone than any other rolling release. There is just a risk at running bleeding edge vs. vetted/known working software.

by tbrock 9y ago

alexktz 9y ago

Docker makes the base OS largely irrelevant for testing in my workflows.

lfam 9y ago

It's better to use Debian Unstable because Testing doesn't get timely security updates.

StudentStuff 9y ago
Unstable (aka Sid) rarely lives up to its name, having ran it as my daily driver for a few years. Comparatively, the months I spent on Arch were marred by packaging issues resulting in me switching back to Debian. I want the maintainer to hold back an update and write patches when there are noteworthy regressions that hurt my workflow. The Debian package maintainers consistently act in my best interest, not that of the developer's or outside political interests. Turns out I find that really useful.
- emilsedgh 9y ago
  Debian Unstable is the base for Ubuntu. It's not unstable at all.
  - marcosdumay 9y ago
    The "unstable" there means that everything changes all the time. It does not mean that things break (although they do break way more often than stable - when I tried it, I did have to reinstall the OS every few years).
amenod 9y ago
I was under the impression that `unstable` is... well, not stable (that it breaks). Is it usable for someone who doesn't want to spend much time fixing the system?
- eikenberry 9y ago
  In Debian 'unstable' means that the package versions installed aren't stable. That is, there is a high level of package churn just like any rolling release. It isn't any more buggy/crash prone than any other rolling release. There is just a risk at running bleeding edge vs. vetted/known working software.