Question for Unstable Users...
Hello,
So I have recently repaired my Debian box that was down for a while. It was running 3.0 testing. I was thinking about rebuilding it with the latest unstable version. Anyone running unstable have any thing to share about their experiences, good or bad? I would like to know... Japetto |
heres what i just went through with debian unstable for what its worth....
i downloaded the netinstall and loaded stable, standard install with kde and gnome...out of the two i use gnome... when i did dist-upgrade it broke gnome....i tried a few thing but couldnt keep that from happening. i ended up switching to fluxbox which im now in love with and thats fine. i reinstalled with a bare install and loaded fluxbox and x-windows through apt works great nice small foot print n im just apting as i need stuff. From talking to other users gnome breaking is not a common problem but this is what happened to me. note tho that u need a 2.6.12 kernel or later to load unstable, this has to do with the dev files system but i cant remember the details. im using the 2.6.13 kernel custom compiled from source working file. just make sure u install your new kernel BEFORE u try to dist-upgrade im very pleased with the way my setup turned out and i think ill be sticking with debian for a while now. i hope this helped a little if you have any speciffic questions feel free to ask |
Here is how I did it:
- I downloaded the netinstall and loaded stable, a minimal installation that is, no X, no gnome, no nothing. - I upgraded my kernel to the latest unstable linux-image-2.6.12-1-k7 - Then I procede on removing unwanted packages (like exim4...) - I optimized the boot sequence (got rid of hotplug and discover, I already know what's in my box, no need to auto detect) - Only then I dist-upgraded to unstable wiithout a hitch. - Once I had a fully unstable base system, I procede to install gnome, x-window-system, firefox and friends. Don't forget to install apt-listbugs. Some days are better than others for a dist-upgrade. apt-listbugs will tell you this! |
I followed a similar procedure to yanik and my system works fine.
|
Here's some anecdotal evidence so take it for what it's worth.
Ever since Etch came out and Xorg. unstable has been, well, unstable, but only an application or two at a time, after about a week or so (maybe sooner, I don't apt-get update && apt-get upgrade more often), the unpaid programmers who make all this stuff sort out the problems. I've only had one issue that was a showstopper. X wouldn't get off the ground and I had to use dpkg to remove a few of the trouble makers before all was right again. I should note that had I heeded apt-listbugs advice this wouldn't have happened. I think these issue are normal whenever there are major changes, such as Xorg or gcc gets a version update. If you're running unstable, apt-listbugs is a must unless you like adventures. When you get bored with debian, try gentoo, the level of control in gentoo is a geek's wet dream. Debian is fine for me thanks. |
Thanks, all. I have decided to stick with testing. I have just re-installed it and i'm tweaking now...
japetto |
The way I typically do it, is to do a netinstall of stable and then at the aptitude stage on reboot, don't install any package sets - instead, let it finish off the "base" install then go straight to the root prompt - double-check t's updated then update the kernel and manually apt-get X and a wm (sifting through any extra packages at the prompt) - then disable any un-necessary services and sort a packet filter (firewall) out - and then move onto Sid as normal - incidentally, on a recent kdebase-oriented Sid system I chucked in Alioth to get the latest kdebase (and related) with no problems at all strangely enough, although I'm currently using Openbox on my "Unstable" system ;)
|
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:16 PM. |