On Tue, 05 Aug 2008 14:09:34 +0100 andy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Hi all > > This is just a general enquiry about the benefits of using Sid on a > desktop or a workstation. Aside from obtaining up-to-the-minute software > (and related patches), are there any other benefits to using Sid? I am > aware of the risks - i.e. frequently broken applications - but to be > honest, how often does this happen? > > Any thoughts (no flames please - I recycled my asbestos suit!!) > > Cheers > > Andy >
I used sid at home and at work for seven years before I got a kid and switched to stable :). In my experience, there are great benefits in using sid if you are alone or one of a few GNU/Linux users in a huge windows network like I am at work. Every month or so, there's something new that you're supposed to be able to deal with. It can be some new windows communications software, a new printer, a new file format or some other stuff. Using sid helps you deal with that much better than stable does. Also, sid is fun. Stable is boring :). Sid does break stuff though, but this need not be a huge problem. I did two things that saved my ass when things got really borked. First, I made sure I had console tools for basic stuff ready and configured: links, mutt, latex etc. That way you can still surf the web and produce nice documents should graphics break down. Second, I kept a backup partition where I duplicated my sid system manually every time I felt that "wow, right now, sid is working almost flawlessly". If things broke at a real inconvenient time, I just booted the backup system. Other than that, I just updated every day except when I knew beforehand that it would be a rough day. Keeping an eye on what gets updated is a good idea too. If you see a move from xfree86 to xorg, maybe you should check the lists before updating. /HC -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
