Re: out-dated linux

Carit Benike wrote:

hey everybody,

At home me & my family are using the SuSE 9.1 distro. Primarily for use as
a desktop-pc, but it is running some servers as well. I have set up YaST
to use various ftp-servers supplying updates (mainly KDE). I just noticed
that SuSE 9.1 is no longer part of the distros listed on the ftp-servers.
My concern is that over time, I will get into trouble with an unstable
system.

Linux will not become unstable from lack of updates. It will just miss new
features and fail to recognize new devices added, and - when connected to
the internet - it will also miss critical security updates and _may_ become
unstable due to compromising. But then, the "unstable" behavior is just a
warning sign.
Btw., most times linux becomes dodgy and unstable, it is due to detoriating
hardware.

NOW WHAT?

If I have to reinstall my OS on a yearly basis I might as well switch to
MSWIN!
What are my options?
1. MS (I dont think so)

What about service packs for windows? You know, they do change a lot behind
the surface ...

2. Upgrade to SuSE 10.0 (no way, Im not going down that path again)

Why do you fear it? Which bad experiences?

3. you tell me...

Usually every half year. You would have to update from 9.1 to 9.2 to 9.3 to
10, and still some things may break on the way. There were changes in
kernel, devfs-udev-hald, and versions of gnome/kde as well.

Would anybody know of a distro that is not restricted to
versions/releases. A distro that you install, and keep up-to-date on a
monthly basis? Or am I just dreaming.

Hmmm, it's not that simple. You may try debian, it has a longer release
cycle and support for backports of critical security fixes (since it is
commonly used for servers). Start with "unstable" - it is at least as
stable as "current" others and will get you the latest innovations and keep
it when becoming mainstrieam. Should last as long as your computer lives.
Gentoo is another alternative.
But then, all these have a steeper learning curve then continuing with SuSE,
doing a full install but not formatting /home partition, and backup your
server configs beforehand as well as /etc.
--
vista policy violation: Microsoft optical mouse detected penguin patterns
on mousepad. Partition scan in progress to remove offending
incompatible products. Reactivate MS software.
Linux 2.6.14-mm1 [LinuxCounter#295241,ICQ#4918962]
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Newbie trying out Linux
    ... you get what you pay for with SuSE. ... financial health and Mandrake just got out of bankruptcy proceedings. ... a lot of my problem was that I just didn't know much about Linux ... developers by paying for our distro. ...
    (alt.os.linux)
  • Re: which distro for a linux-newbie ?
    ... > vs MS Office, Linux vs Windows, Mozilla vs Explorer/Opera, etc etc). ... This is my complaint about SuSe not offering ... Most major distros also contribute money ... distro, you're not just lining the pockets of the distro publisher. ...
    (alt.os.linux)
  • Re: [opensuse] Yast update log location? - SOLVED
    ... The Announcement that Suse 9.2 is no longer supported with updates came last week. ... and hopefully the recent M$-Novell deal will make a future version that is easier to use/operate without losing the strengths of Linux. ... I've installed and used 6 different Linux distros as a separate distro, since it is different enough from the community versions of 8, 9, and 10 that I have tried). ... It was obvious that SLES 10 is a commercial product by its install and its default configuration. ...
    (SuSE)
  • Re: Choosing a distro...hm
    ... > I started with SuSE and it is a very friendly distro, ... but some say it is better and some migrate to SuSE from it... ... > they still don't have a graphic installer. ... > are Linux only, they can be used on most *nix variants. ...
    (alt.os.linux.suse)
  • Re: [SLE] < RANT > *5
    ... First thing, about the people telling me that if I want to be bleeding edge, ... There are issues w/ linux. ... About paying someone to make the RPM's, I am. Thats why I buy SuSE. ... > bleeding edge, pick a distro that puts enphasis on bleeding edge, not SuSE. ...
    (SuSE)