The Linux kernel often breaks kernel-space, it rarely breaks user-space. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_kernel_interfacesHead_on_a_Stick wrote:The Linux kernel breaks all the ****ing time, they don't give a crap about b0rkage as long as they can cram their shiny new features in...
Arch Linux has an LTS kernel package for exactly this reason and they advise that is installed in case of upstream problems:
Kernel space being out of the tree modules, such as ZFS, Broadcom's wl driver, NVIDIA driver etc...
Kernel devs even say that they don't care what happens outside of kernel-space, it's beyond their control anyway. What would have happened if they suddenly started caring? Well, their development would come to a crawl.
Having more than one kernel is advisable in any case, not just with Arch Linux. Every good sysadmin knows that. But here's the thing: you can't have more than one systemd on one system.
But in order to get to the next Debian Stable, we have to have some rules or the entire thing will break apart and will need more time fixing. Software development moves fast, and people can't stick with one Debian Stable forever.Head_on_a_Stick wrote:One of the main advantages of Debian stable is that it insulates the user against rapid upstream changes.