[xubuntu-users] 2014 Rolling release?

[bob]

On Mon, 28 Jan 2013 19:14:48 -0500
Art Slurry <info at artslurry.com> wrote:

> On 01/28/2013 04:50 PM, Ralf Mardorf wrote:
> > ...  There is no distro a best solution for most Linux
> > users. Non of the known distros is better or less good than another,
> > they all have advantages and drawbacks.
> >
> 
> This is so true; I'm glad to see others say it out loud.
> 
> I love and use Xubuntu exclusively now, and, for me, it's perfect, fast, 
> simple, clean and imho the best worry-free implementation of xfce, but 
> that's just me, for others it may be Studio, or something based on slack 
> or arch, etc.  I've had zero issues with XUbuntu that I couldn't fix 
> myself or figure out eventually, and nothing major, everything just 
> works, which is perfect for someone who doesn't have time or the 
> knowledge needed to do extensive configuring.  I do some  recording, 
> video editing, graphics and general office stuff, with no major issues, 
> no hours of tweaking and fixing stuff.
> 
> I don't understand the implications of a rolling release...why it would 
> be a problem,  don't most stick with LTS releases anyway?  As long as I 
> can get updates regularly, I'm OK with LTS only releases.  Why would 
> others be opposed to it?


In a fixed (as opposed to rolling) release model, some packages are fixed and not updated except for security concerns.  Generally, for example, the Linux kernel version remains the same during the lifetime of a release-and software may or may not be updated.  Generally it is updated after testing, and the fixing of certain packages helps stability.

In a rolling release model all software is updated as the upstream supplier updates, usually after some testing.  The Linux kernel isn't exempt-it too will be updated.

Generally as time goes by bugs get fixed and systems improve in stability.  This is less likely to be the case with a rolling release model-the new versions will have new bugs.

Those who presently use an LTS release are usually doing so because stability is important to them.  Some use LTS releases and only install after some time has passed for bug fixes after the release date.  Stability is likely to be less in a rolling release-things are more likely to be broken by changes, which is why some, especially current LTS users, would be wary of a rolling release model.  


                                                  b