On Thu, Apr 03, 2008 at 10:29:30AM +0900, Charles Plessy wrote:
> Le Thu, Apr 03, 2008 at 01:44:56AM +1300, Chris Bannister a écrit :
> >
> > Unfortunately, many people new to Debian/Linux get the impression that
> > testing is perfectly suitable for a desktop system.
>
> Maybe because they have read Debian's website?
>
> "things should not break as badly as in unstable or experimental
> distributions"
> http://www.debian.org/releases/testing/index.en.html
>
> "The unstable distribution is where active development of Debian
> occurs. Generally, this distribution is run by developers"
> http://www.debian.org/releases/index.en.html
>
> There is nothing in these pages that warns against the use of Testing on
> a desktop system, except of course that Debian "primarily recommends
> using" Etch.
>
> There are three alternative options for escaping Etch's bugs (for
> instance white-on-white selections in Evince):
>
> - Backporting some packages by hand, but this requires skill.
> - Using backports.org, but it is unofficial.
> - Using Testing or Sid.
>
> If Debian wants to issue stronger warnings for those using Testing on
> the desktop, maybe mentionning that it is also a development tool and it
> is not inteded for normal use would do the job…
Instead of advising a new user "If you can't cope with the problems of
testing use stable" which sounds rather harsh and dismissive, especially
if they were advised to download the testing netinst iso because it
should better support their hardware, it would be better to point them
to an official link[1] which points out what users should be aware of:
* purpose of testing, i.e. not just a better stable.
* pitfalls of using testing.
* how to diagnose why their system broke
+ intelligent use of apt/aptitude/synaptic/whatever
+ installing apt-listbugs etc.
+ How to use the BTS/PTS to help diagnose and possibly
find a fix to why their system suddenly went crook.
+ How to file a proper bug report. (Would be handy to
read, in any case.)
* Other resources like update-excuses, why is package foo not in
testing yet, etc.
etcetera.
I don't host my own website on the net, otherwise I'd have a shot, but
considering that it would then be unofficial, and considering the
differences of opinion already from the many replies of I have read, and
if there were any inaccuracies it may even cause more confusion to new
users. Also there are probably more good resources than I am aware of,
also I won't know of any additions or improvements to resources of this
type.
It annoys me when someone posts to debian-user with "the latest upgrade
just broke my system -- what is going on?" sometimes in not so nice
terms.
[1] If there is one, my most humblest apologies and after the flaming,
could you please advise where it is. I will download and read
http://www.debian.org/releases/testing/index.en.html, but from Charles
comments above it does not go that far.
--
Chris.
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