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[FAQ] Newer software versions in Debian stable

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Head_on_a_Stick
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[FAQ] Newer software versions in Debian stable

#1 Post by Head_on_a_Stick »

Debian's stable release is so-called because the package versions do not change, it is not a synonym for reliability. See also https://wiki.debian.org/DontBreakDebian ... f_Syndrome

If a new version of a particular package is needed then first check to see if it is available from the backports repository:

https://qa.debian.org/madison.php

A local version of the above web service is provided by the rmadison command, which is supplied by the devscripts package.

To install backported software see https://backports.debian.org/Instructions/ and remember to keep the repository enabled to ensure that the package is kept updated.

If the package is not available from the backports repository then it might be possible to backport it yourself by following this guide:

https://wiki.debian.org/SimpleBackportCreation

It is also possible to rebuild PPA packages locally (*do not* add PPAs to Debian, they are not compatible and may break the system):

https://wiki.debian.org/CreatePackageFromPPA

Forum member and MX Linux developer stevepusser hosts many packages in their OBS repository:

http://forums.debian.net/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=127574

And see these guides for building packages from scratch:

http://forums.debian.net/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=38976

https://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/debmake-doc/

If the software cannot be backported or built locally then it is possible to run it from a container:

http://forums.debian.net/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=129390

And finally we have the independent package managers: But it is important to be aware that none of the software supplied by the applications in the above list enjoy the benefits of Debian's Security Team or are directly maintained by Debian so use them at your own risk.

Note that the Firefox web browser can be downloaded as a tarball and run from the user's home directory, as can Xonotic (a most excellent FPS game), Blender and probably several others but the same caution should be observed with those third-party solutions.
deadbang

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