Updating Packages in Debian Squeeze from Backports/Testing

[Noah Duffy <n.milo.duffy@gmail.com>]

I've been running Debian Squeeze for a little while now.  I was using
Ubuntu before, so I'm really used to being able to keep certain
software up-to-date using their PPA system.  I'm loving Debian (even
though I've had to make a few tweaks for it to work with my new
system), but there are a few packages I wish were newer.  Banshee is
one of them.  There have been a load of changes since the 1.6.1
version that is in Squeeze.  I can compile the new version myself, but
have been unable to get webkit support enabled when compiling, so it
is nicer to use a build from the repositories.

I've done plenty of reading on how to enable the backports and also
install software from testing/unstable.  However, I wanted to get the
opinion of others before I change my system for good!

Is it recommended to install packages from testing?  I know this often
also updates dependencies that other software may use causing the
system to potentially not be as secure or stable.  Should I just wait
for newer versions to maybe hit the backports repository?  Or should I
just take the longer route and compile newer versions myself (which
sometimes doesn't always work well)?

Also, if I do add the testing repositories and setup apt pinning
and/or priority, what happens in another year or so when I try to
upgrade my system to the next stable release?  is everything going to
work because of the pinning and priority I originally setup?

I'm sorry for so many question in one mailing!  And I hope I'm not
rambling too much!  My ultimate goal is to run Debian Stable but have
a few packages and maybe the kernel (many bug fixes for my system are
in the newer kernels) from backports/testing.

Let me know what you think!

Thanks,
Noah Duffy