looking for bleeding edge distribution. ideas?

[kcy29581]

Hi all,

I have tried many distros and I have come to really like a few. Gentoo , Suse, Ubuntu, Arch are a few of my favourites.

However I haven't found something: a Linux distribution that is supported by someone like Canonical supports Ubuntu, yet is always bleeding edge and has the latest software.

Does such a distro exist?

Thanks

[PeP]

is this a troll?

Try ubuntu breezy, you will have a 'bleeding edge' distro.

But like everything 'bleeding edge' it doesn't just work, you have to tweak and fix some bugs, and sometimes you have no luck, an update breaks evreything.

Bleeding edge just doesn't sound like stable.

[kcy29581]

is this a troll?

Try ubuntu breezy, you will have a 'bleeding edge' distro.

But like everything 'bleeding edge' it doesn't just work, you have to tweak and fix some bugs, and sometimes you have no luck, an update breaks evreything.

Bleeding edge just doesn't sound like stable.no troll, honest!

I know about breezy, maybe I'm a bit confused about how exactly Ubuntu works. I'll give an example and tell me if I'm wrong:
When Ubuntu Hoary was released in April, a version of Firefox was released (1.0.4?). Ubuntu's way of packaging means that Firefox will not be updated until Breezy is released in October, unless you use Backports.

So when I mean "bleeding-edge", I don't mean the instant a version of a package is released, I'm not that naive to expect stability. What I mean is, is there a distribution that, like Ubuntu has Canonical, is supported by a "professional" team, and packages are updated when they are declared "stable" enough.

So once again, my ideal distro would be one like Ubuntu, but has the idea of Backports in it.

I am not a troll....

[tom-ubuntu]

You can try out Gentoo, the ~x86. There you will have always the latest things. But like already said: bleeding edge is not stable, lot of fun to fix things, if you like that.

[Omnios]

You could possibly use a Distro with good program compadablity record and just download and install everything off the web. Then again your going to have to go visit all those sites periodicly to check for updates.

[coolblue]

I HIGHLY recommend Suse 9.3 Pro.....or check out Ark Linux too! Very bleeding edge..though not so popular. But why should u look beyond Suse...its IDEAL for newbies and develpers alike...and looks sooooooo beautiful!!!!!!!

[Lovechild]

Fedora Core

[endy]

Foresight Linux (http://www.foresightlinux.com/) could be worth a look (pun intended) :)

Foresight Linux is a Distribution which showcases some of the latest and greatest from GNOME.

However, considering we are about to see a new gnome release you may aswell wait a a bit if you want a gnome dirtso and get them after the update :)

[-Rick-]

FreeBSD (http://www.freebsd.org)

Pros:

Always stay up-to-date
More organized than linux
You can install binary packages or compile them from source
Software sound mixing that actually works
Installation is pretty easy, just don't forget it needs a primary partition
Quick boot time
Perfect linux emulation


Cons:

A bit different from linux, it might be fun to learn a bit unix though :)
Less hardware support
Flash/java plugin support is a bit dodgy

[poofyhairguy]

I know about breezy, maybe I'm a bit confused about how exactly Ubuntu works. I'll give an example and tell me if I'm wrong:
When Ubuntu Hoary was released in April, a version of Firefox was released (1.0.4?). Ubuntu's way of packaging means that Firefox will not be updated until Breezy is released in October, unless you use Backports.

Yep. but now Breezy is in development, so its get new software (and new bugs) constantly. I think its what you are looking for. That or Debian Sid.


So when I mean "bleeding-edge", I don't mean the instant a version of a package is released, I'm not that naive to expect stability. What I mean is, is there a distribution that, like Ubuntu has Canonical, is supported by a "professional" team, and packages are updated when they are declared "stable" enough.

I'm confused. Breezy has all the newest stuff today....but its not considered stable. Its not "released." Is that what you want, a distro that is in flux and is not released at any point? Then try Breezy.


So once again, my ideal distro would be one like Ubuntu, but has the idea of Backports in it.


Now I get it. You want the freaking Holy Grail- stable and bleeding edge; Like wanting black and white. Well....in the future Backports will be made an official part of Ubuntu and right now the backport team does a really good job keeping Ubuntu up to date. I mean, I don't get it. "my ideal distro would be one like Ubuntu, but has the idea of Backports in it." Well....Ubuntu does have backports...you found your dream distro and you can't see it.

Is backports officially supported? No, but you have to pay to get official support anyway.

I don't understand what you want I guess.

[DJ_Max]

Cons:

A bit different from linux, it might be fun to learn a bit unix though :)
Less hardware support
Flash/java plugin support is a bit dodgy

Being different from Linux isn't necessarily a con. Hardware support is about the same, unless you have some new, bleeding edge, hardware. Flash & Java I can agree with.

BTW, this guy said he's used & liked Gentoo & Suse.

If you want bleeding edge, use Breezy, then when the next version is in development, which is usally right after Breezy is relesed, upgrade to that.

[kcy29581]

Now I get it. You want the freaking Holy Grail- stable and bleeding edge; Like wanting black and white. Well....in the future Backports will be made an official part of Ubuntu and right now the backport team does a really good job keeping Ubuntu up to date. I mean, I don't get it. "my ideal distro would be one like Ubuntu, but has the idea of Backports in it." Well....Ubuntu does have backports...you found your dream distro and you can't see it.

Is backports officially supported? No, but you have to pay to get official support anyway.

I don't understand what you want I guess.Yep, I want the Holy Grail! :grin:
I guess I'm being a bit too hopefull. Does Backports actually look at ALL the packages or does it only update a selected few such as Firefox, which is poplular? If Backports actually looks at all packages in main and restricted... I might have been a fool!

[kcy29581]

BTW, this guy said he's used & liked Gentoo & Suse.Thanks for paying attention! I try to make sure I put everything possible in a post.:wink:

[poofyhairguy]

I guess I'm being a bit too hopefull.

No you are not. There is a solution for you. Its called "make my own damn Linux from Gentoo Unstable."


Does Backports actually look at ALL the packages or does it only update a selected few such as Firefox, which is poplular? If Backports actually looks at all packages in main and restricted... I might have been a fool!

They do what we ask for. Someone asks for it, unless its kernel level or something like that it usually gets backported. The system works well, you just kindly ask for what you need.

[GavinX]

Debian Sid would be the way to go for absolute bleeding edge.

[Lowe]

arch linux is the closest you'll get to bleeding edge and stable. Trust me I know.

[kcy29581]

No you are not. There is a solution for you. Its called "make my own damn Linux from Gentoo Unstable."



They do what we ask for. Someone asks for it, unless its kernel level or something like that it usually gets backported. The system works well, you just kindly ask for what you need.You know, I actually have that as well! :-P I'm also looking for a binary equivalent, for my less powerful pc's and laptop. Gentoo just saps the life out of them.
(before anyone says "distributed compiling", it's always nice to have a system not relying on another)

Thanks for the info on Backports, I know how great the Backports people are at the job, I didn't realise WE could ask for software. Thanks

[kcy29581]

Debian Sid would be the way to go for absolute bleeding edge.umm, until recently, Xorg wasn't even in. I know why, however that just shows to me that Sid is not for me. Too many problems with it in the past anyways.

[kcy29581]

arch linux is the closest you'll get to bleeding edge and stable. Trust me I know.I really hope that's not the case, I always end up going back and trying Arch as I love the idea of the distro. But there are always updates that really mess up your system every now and then, usually Gnome always suffers the most... so by no means is it perfect right now. Maybe in the future.

[GavinX]

umm, until recently, Xorg wasn't even in. I know why, however that just shows to me that Sid is not for me. Too many problems with it in the past anyways.
Actually, Xorg will be included in the Etch release which should be under development as we speak. As you may be aware, Sid will never be released. I wrote the Debian developers about the non-availability of Xorg sometime ago and they assured me that it will be in the Debian repositories shortly. So I guess it's only a matter of time.

[SKLP]

Ubuntu Hoary + official backports = Stable, yet up-to-date system.
Ubuntu Breezy = Bleeding-edge system.

[GavinX]

Actually, I just did a check at distrowatch.com and I just realized that Xorg is indeed included in Sid. Have a look here. As you will see from the list of packages, it is in Sid. If you also notice, it is not in Etch as yet, since Etch is still in early development stages, but as time goes by it will make its appearence there. Notice also, that nearly all of the packages in Sid are bleeding edge. Have a look here http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=debian

[oddabe19]

no troll, honest!

I know about breezy, maybe I'm a bit confused about how exactly Ubuntu works. I'll give an example and tell me if I'm wrong:
When Ubuntu Hoary was released in April, a version of Firefox was released (1.0.4?). Ubuntu's way of packaging means that Firefox will not be updated until Breezy is released in October, unless you use Backports.

So when I mean "bleeding-edge", I don't mean the instant a version of a package is released, I'm not that naive to expect stability. What I mean is, is there a distribution that, like Ubuntu has Canonical, is supported by a "professional" team, and packages are updated when they are declared "stable" enough.

So once again, my ideal distro would be one like Ubuntu, but has the idea of Backports in it.

I am not a troll....
This is wrong.

The version of Firefox is 1.0.6 (latest), just with a 1.0.4 version number (to prevent breakage). Firefox IS uptodate with latest packages, and fixes.

Ubuntu Hoary was officially the first bug free distro ever, and it's because of stuff like that.
Ubuntu Warty had version 4.3 of Xfree86, but in reality it was 4.3.999 (iirc).

Ubuntu Breezy is uptodate (i'm running it) you will get random breakage until the final release (15, October??). Xorg is uptodate so is everyother program. Gnome is 2.11.90 (Beta 1).

Next to Breezy the next (and best distro for uptodateness in my opinion) is Gentoo unstable.

[kcy29581]

Actually, I just did a check at distrowatch.com and I just realized that Xorg is indeed included in Sid. Have a look here. As you will see from the list of packages, it is in Sid. If you also notice, it is not in Etch as yet, since Etch is still in early development stages, but as time goes by it will make its appearence there. Notice also, that nearly all of the packages in Sid are bleeding edge. Have a look here http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=debianlike I said, "until recently, Xorg wasn't even in". I know Xorg is in Debian Sid now...

[kcy29581]

This is wrong.

The version of Firefox is 1.0.6 (latest), just with a 1.0.4 version number (to prevent breakage). Firefox IS uptodate with latest packages, and fixes.

Ubuntu Hoary was officially the first bug free distro ever, and it's because of stuff like that.
Ubuntu Warty had version 4.3 of Xfree86, but in reality it was 4.3.999 (iirc).

Ubuntu Breezy is uptodate (i'm running it) you will get random breakage until the final release (15, October??). Xorg is uptodate so is everyother program. Gnome is 2.11.90 (Beta 1).

Next to Breezy the next (and best distro for uptodateness in my opinion) is Gentoo unstable.Thanks for the reply! So thats why the versions are all screwey! Oh well, at least they are up 2 date security-wise.

I seriously think you guys have convinced me that upgrading to the "stable" versions of Ubuntu isn't a bad idea after all. What's six months anyway! (did I just say that?)

[kcy29581]

quick question: I have hoary-backports and hoary-extras along with universe and multiverse repos. When Breezy is released, will my upgrade be a smooth one, or impossible?

Thanks for all the help guys.

[krusbjorn]

quick question: I have hoary-backports and hoary-extras along with universe and multiverse repos. When Breezy is released, will my upgrade be a smooth one, or impossible?

Thanks for all the help guys.

To upgrade to breezy, you change your apt repositories from hoary to breezy and do a dist-upgrade. Poof.

[kcy29581]

To upgrade to breezy, you change your apt repositories from hoary to breezy and do a dist-upgrade. Poof.great! :grin:

[panickedthumb]

Poofy said-- "Well....in the future Backports will be made an official part of Ubuntu"

It already is. There is now an official ubuntu backports repository, hosted on ubuntu.com

[kcy29581]

Poofy said-- "Well....in the future Backports will be made an official part of Ubuntu"

It already is. There is now an official ubuntu backports repository, hosted on ubuntu.comyep, checked that out and now all is working nicely.

I'm really loving Ubuntu. I've been looking for a good binary distro that has everything I need. The hardest part was getting flash, sun java, adobe reader, and any other proprietary package. In here I just have to activate universe and multiverse along with backports and extras and I'm game!

I ACTUALLY HAVE THE CHOICE FOR ONCE! and it feels good. I've never felt this good since Gentoo.

[kcy29581]

yep, checked that out and now all is working nicely.

I'm really loving Ubuntu. I've been looking for a good binary distro that has everything I need. The hardest part was getting flash, sun java, adobe reader, and any other proprietary package. In here I just have to activate universe and multiverse along with backports and extras and I'm game!

I ACTUALLY HAVE THE CHOICE FOR ONCE! and it feels good. I've never felt this good since Gentoo.I'm going to have to add something now that Breezy is released...

I'm back to the usual problem I have: Linux distribution without proprietary packages such as codecs, flash, java, adobe, etc... It's incredibly annoying as I cannot see a complete desktop for myself via Linux now, unless I keep paying Suse every 6 months (to ensure I have all the propriatary packages I require), or constantly hack my way through and find out what to do (and then when things need to get updated, software outside of the package manager is not easy to uninstall)

I'm not saying I'm not happy with Ubuntu though! It's a legal problem that really needs to get sorted somehow, ortherwise a complete and easily manageable Linux desktop will only happen with illegal distributions. It is my understanding that you cannot even watch a DVD legally in Linux! Is this true?

[aysiu]

I'm back to the usual problem I have: Linux distribution without proprietary packages such as codecs, flash, java, adobe, etc... It's incredibly annoying as I cannot see a complete desktop for myself via Linux now, unless I keep paying Suse every 6 months (to ensure I have all the propriatary packages I require), or constantly hack my way through and find out what to do (and then when things need to get updated, software outside of the package manager is not easy to uninstall) Try this (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=66563)


I'm not saying I'm not happy with Ubuntu though! It's a legal problem that really needs to get sorted somehow, ortherwise a complete and easily manageable Linux desktop will only happen with illegal distributions. It is my understanding that you cannot even watch a DVD legally in Linux! Is this true? If you live in the US, yes. Otherwise, you're probably fine.

[kcy29581]

Try this (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=66563)

If you live in the US, yes. Otherwise, you're probably fine.i know about Automatix, however I cannot see how I would uninstall things if I wanted to... Maybe I should ask the developer.

I really hate installing things that I cannot get rid of easily... thats why I love apt.

[nigecook]

Try Startcom Linux Multimedia 4.0.4 (Raam)
DVD works out of the box!
Based on Redhat Enterprise.

www.startcom.org

I am however having issues with crackling sound. Which for a multimedia
distribution is a major headache. I don't have problems like this with Ubuntu 5.10
after installing libdvdcss and Win*** codecs.

Nigel