David Rankin wrote:
I always look at the list volumes around release time. It usually is very high with X.0, less with X.1, etc. So I generally agree. I think this time the 9.1 seemed more problemetic than 9.0, probably due to the Novel buyout.
Jim,
I see your point, but I tend to disagree. 9.1 had some problems. Admittidly, due to the 2.6 kernel issues, but I think it undersocred the race to release 9.1. I've haunted these lists (Suse, Mandrake) since the mdk 7.0 (air) release and one thing that has always rung true is that the business model change for distros either contemplating or after completing "corporatization" have had difficulty with quality control. (i.e. making sure it all works before it goes out the door). I've always been a proponent of the 'odd.2' release (still running mdk 7.2 production) (thoroughly impressed with Suse 9.0 pro) so Suse 9.2 should be telling. Cross your fingers and will all be the beneficiaries.
-- David C. Rankin, J.D., P.E.
I'm certainly not going to disagree with a J.D. in writing (LOL). I only have 9.0 myself and my comments come from beta-testers I know that felt they were pushed, and less so from users that felt there were problems with utility programs. I didn't want to risk 9.1, and truth be told, I don't upgrade very often anyway. I tend to compile an awful lot of stuff myself, so the odd distro serves as a stable base for the evils I have planned for it. I really like 9.0 pro too, btw. As far as quality, and throwing in a lot of experience, distro problems grow very quickly with the volume and complexity of software. So in a way, it's a moving target to keep hitting excellence. I'm curious about 9.2 because of the new laptop stuff, but then again, my laptop is running gnome 2.8 and kde 3.3 now, along with lots of other things, and except for power management and docking, I really don't need any enhancements. I sat with 6.3 for a very long time, until libc, gcc and a few other things made the move to 9.0 needed. I still get the odd email asking if I ever figured out how to update libc.