[kubuntu-users] Re: [kubuntu-users] Re: KDE 3.5.6 released w Kubuntu packages

[Donn]

Hi, thanks for your input.
> People like me (small business) use 606 as an alternative to RHEL or
> Novell desktop/SuSE. We want something that is going to not have us
> asking questions and fixing the computers all the time. Once we get
> something added we want it to work for a good long period again before
> we risk breaking our systems with something new.

I absolutely see your point. I am coming from a semi-business pov as designer. 
I use the computer for graphics tools and as such, the latest software is 
always important as each new version brings things that could not be done 
before.

In terms of not wanting to take chances versus getting all the latest stuff, 
should there not be a compromise?
Perhaps a dialog (or text file :) ) that lets you and me (the users) tick what 
stuff we want to keep "cutting-edge" and what stuff we want to keep 
conservative. Then apt-get and related systems could work around that. 
If (I should say when) a point comes that a new upgrade would require too much 
related newness then I would be facing a dist-upgrade and you would be fine 
as your long-term system is still exactly as you want it to be.

This keeps my install fresh and keeps your install conservative.

I freely confess that the devil is in the millions of tiny details that make 
one version of a distro differ from another. I may be being totally 
unreasonable with this line of thought.

My basic quandry is:
A. I want to keep up to date with certain essential software (like browsers, 
email clients, design apps, window managers, desktops, office apps).
B. I want to install once and then rely on my /home folder always working 
(with small tweaks as per need). When I "move-in" to a distro this is a 
process of many little comforts: dozens of scripts to do stuff I want, 
right-click menu items written, paths setup and .bash* files changed. Address 
Books. Favourites. Downloads in progress. All manner of custom changes get 
made, especially over a period like a year.

Now, along comes a new version of a distro... suddenly I must choose. If I go 
with A I kiss-off a lot of B. If I stay with B then I can't upgrade.

Even you, with a business as described, might come to a day when you need 
software that just plain is not available. Now you face the horror of option 
A vs option B only on a far more complex set of customizations.

Perhaps my point is a non-point. I just can't believe that this quandry is not 
known and planned-for.



/d