Linux

52552 readers

675 users here now

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

Rules

Posts must be relevant to operating systems running the Linux kernel. GNU/Linux or otherwise.
No misinformation
No NSFW content
No hate speech, bigotry, etc

Related Communities

Community icon by Alpár-Etele Méder, licensed under CC BY 3.0

founded 5 years ago

MODERATORS

[email protected]

122

How to have a boring and low-maintenance system? (lemm.ee)

submitted 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

113 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Those who don't have the time or appetite to tweak/modify/troubleshoot their computers: What is your setup for a reliable and low-maintenance system?

Context:

I switched to Linux a couple of years ago (Debian 11/12). It took me a little while to learn new software and get things set up how I wanted, which I did and was fine.

I've had to replace my laptop though and install a distro (Fedora 41) with a newer kernel to make it work but even so, have had to fix a number of issues. This has also coincided with me having a lot less free time and being less interested in crafting my system and more interested in using it efficiently for tasks and creativity. I believe Debian 13 will have a new enough kernel to support my hardware out of the box and although it will still be a hassle for me to reinstall my OS again, I like the idea of getting it over with, starting again with something thoroughly tested and then not having to really touch anything for a couple of years. I don't need the latest software at all times.

I know there are others here who have similar priorities, whether due to time constraints, age etc.

Do you have any other recommendations?

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] [email protected] 3 points 6 days ago (2 children)

What makes Debian 12 a painful distro to upgrade?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 6 days ago (1 children)

The problem is when it comes time for a major version upgrade. Debian 12.10.0 to 12.11.0 probably won't be a big deal. But upgrading from Debian 11 to 12 was a pain. Debian 12 to 13 will probably be a pain as well.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 days ago (1 children)

In what way? I haven't upgraded between major releases on Debian before.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 days ago

Here's the official documentation for upgrading from Debian 11 to 12. The TL;DR is that it takes 8 chapters to describe the process.

https://www.debian.org/releases/bookworm/amd64/release-notes/ch-upgrading.html

[–] [email protected] 7 points 6 days ago (1 children)

I don't understand that comment either. I've been using Debian for years on my server, and it just keeps up with the times (well with Debian times, not necessarily current times).

It's way easier than Kubuntu was for me, for example, which required reinstalling practically every time I wanted to upgrade. A few times the upgrade actually worked, but most of the time I had to reinstall.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Debian as a server is fine and probably the best ! However as a daily drive OS I don't think it's the best choice.

I have always seen Debian as server distro and that's probably what they meant ?

I have debian as my server distro since the beginning of my Linux journey (NEVER failed me !) However I can't see how Debian as daily drive is a good idea. Sure they try to catch up with testing repo for those who wan't a more up to date distro, but it's seems harder to keep up when something breaks along the way.

That's where Arch and derivatives shine, if something goes wrong it's fixed in a few days.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 6 days ago (1 children)

I've been daily driving it on my desktop and laptop for several months now, seems fine. But I don't need the bleeding edge either.

But that's not what the comment was about... The top level comment said Debian was hard to upgrade, and I have not had that experience.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Specifically upgrading major versions. See the official documentation for upgrading Debian 11 to 12. It's far more involved than minor version upgrades.

https://www.debian.org/releases/bookworm/amd64/release-notes/ch-upgrading.html

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 days ago (1 children)

This is what I've always done. It has worked fine for me every time.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Even then, there's a warning that the upgrade process can take several hours. Even if it's largely hands off, that's not exactly my image of an easy upgrade.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 days ago

How quickly do you think an os upgrade of this type finish?