"Debian stable is old"

[weedeater64]

I get so sick of hearing this in general linux discussion boards.

I recently commented, stable != old, and not having untested buggy software/apps != old.

Am I wrong? Apparently a lot of people thing I am.

[Head_on_a_Stick]

Well it is a bit old...

I would use the term "retro" instead

Mind you, my Debian sid is starting to look a bit old now -- kernel 3.16 & firefox 31 compared to kernel 3.18 & firefox 35 in Arch...

I prefer the older firefox versions anyway

EDIT: My favourite OS of all time is still Kickstart v1.3 on the Amiga A500 -- that's what I call old.

[RU55EL]

I get so sick of hearing this in general linux discussion boards.

I recently commented, stable != old, and not having untested buggy software/apps != old.

Am I wrong? Apparently a lot of people thing I am.

The meaning of "old" has needs to be defined. Old as in not the very latest software version, or old as in there is a newer, fully tested and stable version out there, but you are still using the previous version.

Personally, I prefer Debian stable and consider it the "current" useable version.

[mardybear]

Jeff Pugh
Desktop Lenny 10 year old Dell

Age is relative. Based on your signature, Wheezy would look quite new and fresh...so would a 5 year old laptop. Old and stable go hand in hand as the OS will age as it is proven stable. I'm with you and prefer stability but don't get worked up over the new and shiny crowd as a couple years down the road i will want to use the software they are presently testing but hopefully in a more stable form.

[Bulkley]

I get so sick of hearing this in general linux discussion boards.

Agreed. What bothers me most about it is these lovely posts from newbies who have installed Jessie or Sid and proceed to ask newbie questions. From where I sit, those who install Testing or Unstable should already know the answers or where to get them and, at least, know how to troubleshoot.

There is a parallel crew who find some goofy tip on how to install some obscure shiny object if only they add a new source to down load it from and then proceed to complain that their system is borked.

[debianized]

I find the statement offensive too, due to it's inaccuracy. I think 'Debian stable is ancient' is both more accurate and precise.

[harrycaul]

Justified and ancient...Debian is gonna rock ya

[Head_on_a_Stick]

Only "stable" software is included in the Debian core distribution. In Debian project parlance, the term stable means that the software is no longer under active development or widespread use and that the authors are long dead; if software is still under active development, it undergoes changes too rapidly for the Debian project to incorporate them. Due to pressure from users, obsolete versions of certain software that is still under development may be included in the unstable section, but its use is broadly discouraged, since it does not strictly adhere to the project's guidelines, sometimes including software from after the Renaissance.

http://uncyclopedia.wikia.com/wiki/Debian

[yzT]

A thing that always make me laugh of this topic is... If you're on Linux and don't have the latest packages, you feel "old". However, then you are on a Windows or Mac and don't upgrade your software (every application, not just system updates), but you don't have the same feeling... Odd, isn't it? xD

Sent from my Nexus 5

[Bulkley]

When I compare the versions of Wheezy programs with Jessie or Sid programs I quickly come to the conclusion that there really isn't much difference. Oh there's been a little tweaking here or a minor new feature added there but no fireworks. What's the point of new and shiny if it doesn't offer something that is simply not available any other way?

[draugur]

Well, being old isn't all bad. I also use Arch, (kernel 3.18) and the broadcom wl driver is apparently boinked on kernels > 3.17 . Meanwhile on Jessie (3.16), I still haz teh wifi!

[buntunub]

The term is used mostly, if not exclusively, by people that have no experience with the real world of Industry where real Linux Sysadmins manage server farms all running 5+ year old Red Hat releases or Debian Squeeze. They run "old" releases because they are stable and Industry hates change of any kind on their servers. Upgrades are a dirty word. New = unstable = hassles = lost time and money = Ain't gonna happen!

People who run Debian Stable like "old". Leave stable exactly as it is. Jessie will release when it is ready = "old". This is how Debian works and has always been. New = Sid. There is a VERY good reason for why Debian has seperate distros.

[kedaha]

Leave stable exactly as it is. Jessie will release when it is ready = "old". This is how Debian works and has always been. New = Sid. There is a VERY good reason for why Debian has seperate distros.

+1
And for the "rolling release" cutting-edge crowd, oldstable must seem antediluvian.
I champion the stable distribution because I think it is what Debian is really all about and besides, I have enough on my plate with both server and desktop programs and applications to have much time for anything else. After the forthcoming stable distribution is frozen I start testing it myself, but I'm in no hurry, specially after all the hullabaloo about systemd.

[RawMustard]

Well they could always install lindows mint 17 and enjoy frozen login screens, broken desktops and a package manager that doesn't manage shit; but hey, it's shiny new and green!

[alan stone]

Age is a question of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.
- Leroy "Satchel" Paige

Growing old is mandatory. Growing up is optional.
- Chili Davis

Old age ain't no place for sissies.
- Bette Davis