Debian Sarge - old packages?
 

Hi,

I've never used Debian before, but I've dcided I want to give it a go seeing as I enjoyed playing around with Ubuntu (which was GREAT). I was just wondering that, if Debian Sarge was released just a few days ago then why does it include old packages? I mean, things like OpenOffice.org 2.0 (PR) came out a while ago so when I checked the package list I was quite dissappointed that Sarge brings OO.org 1.1.3. Also KDE 3.3...I'm not gonna really notice the difference, but why not 3.4? I'm sorry to be so picky, but I've never used it before, and I was just wondering if any of you Deb users have tried Ubuntu or Kubuntu and can tell me the difference between them. TIA,

J_K9

Debian Sarge is stable. That means that it will not include any form of potentially unstable software. The latest stable openoffice.org version is 1.1.4. Openoffice 2.0 is a beta snapshot, don't look for it in sarge. 1.1.4 is now available in unstable (sid). It is not in testing because it is
a) not built for all architectures
b) not tested enough
You will almost never find upstrean betas in any debian archive
As for kde 3.4, it is currently in experimental and should become unstable soon

for more information on debian releases, see

www.nl.debian.org/releases/

Sarge www.nl.debian.org/releases/stable/
Etch www.nl.debian.org/releases/testing/
Sid www.nl.debian.org/releases/unstable/
Experimental http://www.debian.org/doc/developers...s-experimental

Hmmm...I understand that OO.org is unstable, but KDE 3.4.1 isn't according to their download page. Anyway, I'm mainly concerned about the differences there are between it and, for example, Kubuntu or Ubuntu. Thanks for all your help though!

J_K9

Well it's not considered unstable for the kde developers but the package is experimental for debian cause it hasn't been tested enough. Ubuntu is based on debian sid and created their own packages. I hear it's not stable compared to debian sid and that no new packages are added between releases but I don't know that for sure. Thing is debian wants a rock solid stable and takes a bit older package for granted to reach that goal. Ubuntu has quicker release cycles and newer packages but is also less stable.