Per, On Monday 20 June 2005 07:14, Per Jessen wrote:
Randall R Schulz wrote:
SuSE doesn't produce kernel updates (or any other updates) for the hell of it. In the case of the kernel, only fixes for verified security or crashing bugs elicit kernel updates.
Admitted, I don't use the SuSE patches myself (we only run vanilla kernels), but are they always "clean", ie. nothing else slips in "on the side"?
They list all the changes applied in every patch released via YOU. If you don't trust the YOU updates, then why do you trust any package built by SuSE / Novell?
Even so, I'd still be careful with the ones for "crashing bugs" - if they don't manifest themselves on my system, why apply a fix?
Because the conditions that elicit such a crash may occur on your system in the future, of course. I'd say your paranoia is best directed elsewhere.
I guess much depends on what the system is used for, but for a production system, any change is a risk and I still believe in "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".
I don't agree, in general, and many of us run systems that are not what is usually considered "production." My policy, which has not caused me any problems, is to apply all YOU patches. For the most part, I'm greedy about new software, new capabilities and enjoying the nice steady stream of improvements that issue forth from the Open Source community. Take KDE, for example: Over the past year it has progressed immensely, and I for one would not want to forgo all those improvements.
/Per Jessen, Zürich
Randall Schulz