RE: Re[2]: Next step?
apt (IIRC) won't ever update your kernel. Though it might. Updating the
kernel on a laptop in debian is a bit tricky, if you're used to other dists,
but it's not too hard. Read the make-kpkg stuff.
*I* would use the security updates in any case, but it really depends on
where and how you're using your laptop. I move mine all around (I'm a
systems admin), take it to colo centers, have it plugged in dmzs, direct
attatched to the Net, behind firewalls, and I sometimes even login from work
and do stuff there. It certainly can't hurt, even if it's a workstation.
Remember, in linux, the real difference between workstation and server is
just a matter of what you do with it-- I do apache/python/java development
on mine, and so I run lots of 'server' apps, so... it's really up to you.
Debian has lots of good things going for it-- its stable is incredibly
stable. I have systems that've been running over a year without a problem at
all. The testing distro is 'almost-bleeding edge'-- basically the difference
between unstable and testing is that unstable is the newest updates, and
testing is what's in unstable that hasn't had a blocker bug filed against
it, but still could be plenty buggy. What you get out of it is an updated
set of packages. For instance: testing has X 4.1 in it, while stable has
IIRC X 3.3.6. I use testing for almost, and find it very stable, though of
course YMMV.
woody is the next release of debian-- the current one is potato, aka stable.
woody is the code name for current project that's in testing-- kind of like
netapp calling the release of it's 6.1 software guinness, or apple calling
their powerbooks 'wallstreet' or 'bronze'.
Debian's got a lot of information to amass fairly quickly-- most of these
questions are, however, answered in the docs on the site-- youmight want to
have a look around-- part of many folks' reasons for running debian are its
philosophy, which is also covered.
glne
-----Original Message-----
From: Søren Neigaard [mailto:neigaard@e-box.dk]
Sent: Thursday, October 11, 2001 11:25 AM
To: Glen S Mehn; debian-laptop@lists.debian.org
Subject: Re[2]: Next step?
Thursday, October 11, 2001, 7:39:37 PM, Glen wrote:
GSM> a quick guide to apt (there are docs-- install doc-linux-text, and
you'll
GSM> end up with lots of docs in /usr/share/doc, including a guide to apt,
and
GSM> dpkg, the debian packaging system)
Have looked at it, some more questions :)
GSM> apt-get update -- this updates a local database of packages that are
GSM> available. This gets the sources from /etc/apt/sources.list. Things you
want
GSM> inthat file (at least):
GSM> the reference to 'security.debian.org' uncommented. This is for
security
GSM> updates.
GSM> a pointer to 'stable' packages
Should I uncomment the security line? My machine is a workstation, not
a server, is this needed?
GSM> you may _or_may_not_ want a pointer to testing packages. If you do,
things
GSM> are likely to break. But, then, you'll learn more in trying to fix
them, so
GSM> it's up to you.
I need some help here. Do I make a pointer to each package, or to a
place where packages can be found?
What do you recommend, what do I gain from running testing packages?
Would it be smart when it comes to X?
GSM> apt-get dist-upgrade-- if you want to update the core system of yours
to the
GSM> next release (say, potato to woody)
What is woody, does this include a new kernel?
--
Med venlig hilsen/Best regards,
Søren Neigaard mailto:neigaard@e-box.dk
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