Debian...........Was: Re: [Hudlug] Proposed Xmas Curry

[Tim Bray]

Chris Lindley wrote:
> 
> 
> Naah,  I've installed Debian twice.  The first time (over 2yrs ago) I
> v.quickly went from Potato, to Woody to Sid.  No problems.


I first installed debian on Feb 08 2000 (from looking at the date of the 
/etc/hostname file - the machine is still running).

I've lost track of how many times I've installed it.  I've put at least 
3 debian boxes in for people commercially.  And there will be another 
one next week and I find a suitable machine.


> I've just had to recently reinstall Debian due to a a flawed gentoo
> install (ahem!!)..  I installed a base system from Woody discs (i.e.
> without X and major apps).  Immediately upgraded to Sarge, then straight
> to Sid.  (it's not reccommended to go straight from stable to unstable,
> too many different packages, and you can reach the deep levels of the
> dependency hell if you;re unlucky!)
> 

The other alternative is to add the unstable apt sources in during the 
install, and then you jump straight into unstable.  I haven't done this 
myself, but see no reason why it shouldn't work.

> 
> BTW to go between stable and unstable etc.. you must use apt-get
> dist-upgrade instead.  apt-get upgrade will not install new packages
> that are needed, due to dependencies, but will only upgrade packages.

yes.


Tim