[ubuntu-za] Upgrade to new Ubuntu OS every 6 months?

[Raoul Snyman]

On Tuesday 02 March 2010 19:33:49 Anton Binedell wrote:
> Thanks for the help with my last dilemma.Ubuntu is now running as my
> only OS. I however have an open question about how users upgrade on
> Ubuntu, do you upgrade every 6 months to a newer version of Ubuntu or do
> you stay with the OS until the end of the OS lifespan (18 months)? And
> what would be the best option: upgrade every 6 months; 12 months or 18
> months?

Unlike all the others, I actually do an upgrade every 6 months, rather than a 
complete reinstall. I have not had any issues beyond an upgrade process that 
has on occasionally bombed out halfway (which I simply resumed - not that 
difficult to do, though a little technical).

My wife's computer has upgraded FAR smoother than mine, also over the last 3 
years (7.04 -> 7.10 -> 8.04 -> 8.10 -> 9.04 -> 9.10), and she hasn't had any 
glitches at all. I figure it must be payback for me being a geek that it's my 
upgrade that bombs out, not hers.

Anyways, to answer the second half of your question. There are only two ways 
to upgrade Ubuntu if you're doing a proper upgrade and not a reinstall:

 - Upgrade every release (i.e. every 6 months)
 - Upgrade LTS to LTS (i.e. every 3 years)

As I've stated before, I go for the former for my desktop systems. I like 
updated programs and eye-candy, so I'm always keen to see what's in the next 
version of Ubuntu.

If you do ever have any problems with upgrading, join us in IRC (there are 
instructions on the wiki - http://wiki.ubuntu-za.org/) and there are plenty 
folks who are more than willing to help you out.

-- 
Raoul Snyman, B.Tech IT (Software Engineering)
Saturn Laboratories
m: 082 550 3754
e: raoul.snyman at saturnlaboratories.co.za 
w: www.saturnlaboratories.co.za 
b: blog.saturnlaboratories.co.za