regarding the release model

[Member zausel76]

Hi!
I consider replacing my Antergos istallation on my notebook with AntiX. On DistroWatch it says AntiX’ release model was “Fixed, Semi, Rolling”. I don’t understand that. i would appeciate, if someone could provide a link to a resource, where i can read on that topic.

(Antergos is/was a rolling release model and it frequently consumed the internet traffic volume of my smartphone (via hotspot) for updates. i also know debian’s fixed release model, as i use debian stretch on my desktop computer. So a rolling release model on a debian distro sounds mildly strange to me. What a “semi” release cycle is, i could only guess..)

Thanks & we will probably meet again.

[Forum Admin dolphin_oracle]

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basically antiX supports a couple of ways of operating.

1. stable debian repos, which will give you a good base with security updates and such.

2. run with the testing repos, which gives you a rolling type release, although despite what people tell you testing does occasionally have issues with updates, so check the forum and what your apt-get dist-upgrade is telling you before committing.

3. you can run with sid too, but expect breakage.

[Member manyroads]

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@d_o is there anything much beyond these words on setting things up to use debian testing/ unstable repos?

If you wish you can enable the Debian testing or unstable repositories and live on the bleeding-edge! For those that prefer stability, keep to the Debian Stable/stretch repositories.

Pax vobiscum,
Mark Rabideau - http://many-roads.com
"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong." H. L. Mencken
dwm & i3wm ~Reg. Linux User #449130
20 Jan 2021 ~ "End of an Error"

[Forum Admin dolphin_oracle]

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yeah, on unstable/sid, it will break someday, particularly if you do updates without reading what’s going to happen!

[Moderator Brian Masinick]

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dolphin_oracle wrote:

basically antiX supports a couple of ways of operating.

1. stable debian repos, which will give you a good base with security updates and such.

2. run with the testing repos, which gives you a rolling type release, although despite what people tell you testing does occasionally have issues with updates, so check the forum and what your apt-get dist-upgrade is telling you before committing.

3. you can run with sid too, but expect breakage.

Thanks Dolphin Oracle. You are right on with these comments.
Based on between 20-25 years using Debian-based software, about 30 years using Linux software, and over 40 years using UNIX-based systems, I can tell you this:

1. Debian Stable is very stable, better than any commercial software, also equal to or superior to other Linux and UNIX systems in overall stability.

2. Debian Testing is generally solid; in my experience the majority of any instability comes near Debian release boundaries or any time there are a large number of software changes that are not quite up to the usual high standard of testing that Debian Testing usually enjoys.

3. Debian Unstable, also known as Sid after the “unstable” boy from “Toy Story” is generally great software. Like Testing, you have to be extremely careful with it when there are a large number of changes, particularly near a major Debian release. You should always look out for broken dependencies, and it’s a good idea to locate a forum where Debian software changes are discussed, or look through the software changes, if you are familiar with reading software.

I’ve had good success with all three, including Sid. I’ve also deliberately tried to break systems at times. If you want to break a system and see if you can either “fix it” or rebuild it, try updating Sid carelessly right after a major Debian release. It’s only a BAD idea if you don’t have good backups or a good way to recover, or time to install a new system; otherwise breaking and fixing systems (or reinstalling them) is a GREAT way to learn – as long as you are not destroying critical information without a proper way to recreate, rebuild, or restore it. Just make sure you have a way to save and restore anything that is important so you do not destroy it without a means of recovering from a rebuild.

--
Brian Masinick

[Member zausel76]

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Oh, i see. It is all about the repos. I feel a bit foolish now, but somehow the obvious did not occur to me.
I will probably stay with stable, though “testing” now has become instantly interesting.

Thanks for your replies!

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