Clarification needed for access to package versions in repositories

[Bret Busby]

On 30/3/24 19:16, Ralf Mardorf via ubuntu-users wrote:
> Hi,

<snip>

>>
>> The person has, on what neofetch shows as Linux Mint 21.3, with
>> Cinnamon, thus, Linux Mint Cinnamon 21.3, the kernel version 6.5.0-26
>> and the person has advised that the Claws Mail version 4.1.1(x) is
>> installed.
>>
>> An assessment (whether what I have said below, is reasonable and
>> appropriate), by someone more knowledgeable in this area, than me, of
>> what I said below, would be good.
>>
>> <forwarded message text is below>
>>
>> Okay.
>>
>> Now, your sources repository listing shows that your main Ubuntu
>> repository is the Ubuntu "jammy" version. That is Ubuntu 22.04 LTS,
>> which is the base of Linux Mint 21.x .
>>
>> Now, if you examine the attached screenshots, you can see that the
>> version of Claws Mail that is applicable to Ubuntu 22.04, is 4.0.0.x,
>> and, version 4.1.1.x is applicable to Ubuntu 23.04 and 23.10; and, the
>> kernel version 5,15.x, is applicable to Linux Mint 21.3, and, the kernel
>> version 6.5.x, is applicable to Linux Mint Cinnamon 21.3 Edge, which, as
>> the screenshot shows,
>>
>> "
>> Edge ISO Images
>>
>> If you cannot boot or install Linux Mint because your hardware is too
>> recent and is not properly detected, you may get better results with the
>> “Edge” ISO image.
>>
>> In addition to its regular ISO images, Linux Mint sometimes provides an
>> “edge” ISO image for its latest release. This image ships with newer
>> components to be able to support the most modern hardware chipsets and
>> devices.
>>
>> Warning
>>
>> The Edge ISO image is not as stable as the other ISOs and may not
>> support as many proprietary drivers. Only use it if you cannot boot or
>> install with the other ISOs.
>> "
>>
>> Thus, the version of Linux Mint, that you have installed, is, whilst the
>> repository sources list, shows "jammy" ,- Ubuntu 22.04, I believe, the
>> "Edge" version of Linux Mint 21.3, and, is, effectively, a
>> "Frankenstein" Linux Mint installation - being the equivalent of a
>> Debian mix of a stable version and a testing version. I think this would
>> make your system, an equivalent of Debian experimental, and, that is a
>> thing for only "Linux guru's"
>>
>> Neither the kernel version that you have, nor, the Claws Mail version
>> that you have, belong in a stable Linux Mint 21.3 version, unless the
>> system administrator, is a Linux Mint expert.
>>
>> You might want to subscribe to, and, post to, the Ubuntu users mailing
>> list,
> 
> 
> "What is this list for?
> 
> ubuntu-users is a mailing list staffed by volunteer community members to
> provide technical support to Ubuntu Users.
> 
> Users of Ubuntu and officially supported derivatives (Kubuntu, Edubuntu,
> Xubuntu, Lubuntu) can get support here. Users of derivatives (such as
> Backtrack and Linux Mint) are not officially supported." -
> https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UbuntuUsersListFAQ#FAQ1
> 
Okay.

So, the experts on the  Ubuntu users mailing list, see no reason for 
concern, for a novice to be running a hybrid system combining Ubuntu 
22.04 and Ubuntu 23.10, with the repositories being used for 
maintaining, including updating the system, being the repositories for 
Ubuntu 22.04, as such a system is regarded as being stable and secure?

Okay. I will probably pass on your information, Ralf.

Thank you for your assistance.

....
Bret Busby
Armadale
Western Australia
(UTC+0800)
.................