Etch status..?

[cga2000 <cga2000@optonline.net>]

I need to upgrade my current sarge to something more current.

Is this the recommended procedure -- the one less likely to provide
major headaches:

1. Install sarge on a new partition
2. Wait till etch become stable.
3. Do a blind upgrade.
4. Customize.

I need to re-install sarge  because I have had to install practically
every app that I use from source.  The .deb's were missing important
configure options that I could not do without and I was unable to figure
out how to create my own.

Another reason I'd rather do a new install is that I need a working
system while I am building the new one. Besides, I will be able to refer
to my current system for the customization of the new one.

I have heard rumors that etch will soon become stable. 

Would any one know when this is likely to happen?

Or is it already "frozen" and I could start my reinstall this coming
week-end without having to do it all over again when it becomes stable?

Thanks

cga

Note:  

This is a laptop with a pcmcia NIC.  Back in April, I spent over two
months trying to install etch but I  was never able to finish the
install.  The etch installer just did not recognize the NIC .. I was
never able to bring up a network connection .. as a result I ended up
with an etch install that I could not finalize.  Since the stable etch
installer probably won't work any better with this laptop .. and since
the sarge installer did work .. I was thinking the above might be the
best solution.