“The Debian project has updated the stable distribution Debian GNU/Linux 3.1 (codename sarge). This update mainly adds security updates to the stable release, along with a few corrections to serious problems. Those who frequently update from security.debian.org won’t have to update many packages and most updates from security.debian.org are included in this update.”
Does anyone use Sarge on the desktop? Anyone with a brain would use Etch.
I use Sarge for my desktop, thank you very much.
Why? Because it just works. Eventually, one realises that the whole point of software is to help you do stuff: I’ve seen a lot of people spend ages updating and customising their desktops, and never actually do anything useful with it.
I’ve done some minor updating of course, I’ve got NetBeans 5 and Java 5 and the latest version of JBoss, I’ve got the latest Subversion off backports.org and I’ve got a few other pieces of software from other sites, but mainly I stick with what I’ve got.
The real question is, why would anyone want to update their entire system’s software once every six months? I’m perfectly happy knowing that I only have to go through that once every two years. It gives me loads of time to get work done….
Completely agree.
And I use Sarge on my laptop – that way I can connect it directly to the internet when testing router installations etc without worrying too much about security.
The laptop can also stand-in as an emergency server (normally for email) at a clients if needed.
Anyone with a brain uses a system that works and in many cases this is Sarge (with a few backports).
I did use Sarge on the desktop. but I upgraded to Etch couple of weeks ago. I have nothing bad to say about Sarge. Sarge is rock solid and wery good in desktop use too. I think it’s ridiculous that some people think that if you don’t have the latest version of everything then it must be useless. Why on earth you always need to have latest version? If you really need to you can use some backports whitout upgrading everything. Atleast I appreciate the stability of stable Debian much more than fast release cycle. I don’t want to use poorly tested and buggy software. I want system which just works whitout problems.
I upgraded to Etch because it is already quite close to release. I was curious and wanted to try it. But it does not mean that I will go to next Debian testing right after release of Etch. No way. I’ll use stable Etch as long as possible and upgrade again when release of next stable will be close.
Etch is a huge leap forward, it really is. There is lots of improments and software is wery well upto-date. I’m 100% sure I’ll be happy with Etch.
Edited 2006-09-05 20:10
Anyone with a brain AND any idea that the official release isn’t what most Debian users actually use. I think Debian should support and market testing or maybe at least occasionally release a ‘beta’ of testing.
No I don’t use stable.
Etch has come a long way over the past few months. I used to have problems with my HP laptop recognizing usb thumb drives and my iPod. I went on forums and did all that they suggested (save for using a new kernel from unstable). When the 2.6.16 kernel made it into Etch, everything has worked great. The general freezes of the tool chain (and soon the core components) will start the creation of a “beta” (should an official one ever exist). Actually, Etch is seeing such radical changes that it should be fairly modern when it comes out, though the next FC, Open Suse, and Ubuntu will keep Debian “outdated” in the minds of many.
Etch is rocking! If we can get past the firmware issue/question then everything looks like it may very well be a GO for December and should at least show that Debian CAN do it just as well as anyone.
If we can’t get past the firware issue then kick back in the recliner and watch stable grow so old and stale it stinks.
what advantages would there be to adding the non-free firmware?
not adding – just ignoring until after etch releases
Etch also just works and it is more up to date and has some cool stuff and better hardware support. So in a some cases sarge doesn’t just work.
So when etch goes stable in december will you continue with sarge? If etch is working then nothing says you have to upgrade it either.
But yes sarge is a good choice IF it works for you and you are happy with it.
just my two cents here, but after some trouble with an older pci ati card, tried etch on this g4 with an nvidia instead using the xorg nv driver (geforce4 agp), I’m very, very impressed. No nasty gotchas so far, relatively easy to setup, looks slick, updated packages, and all the rest of the usual debian mmm-good’ness.
By far the best linux ppc distro I’ve seen so far (and I tried plenty on this box), though to be fair, using the nv card instead (with the free driver) did seem to make a lot of difference there.
woody works to