I usually upgrade as each new SuSE comes out, with the exception of 6.2 for which I did a complete install from scratch because of the switch-over from libc5 to libc6. I do this because: a) SuSE distro's are inexpensive, but of the highest quality b) SuSE does a fine job of integrating *all* packages into their menu system. c) SuSE usually includes the latest, most stable version of the 1300+ packages included on the CD set, and each package has been adjusted to run in the SuSE environment d) The old distro makes a fine gift which is guaranteed to please and continues the drive toward world domination e) Upgrading three times a year for $90 makes fresh SuSE distros 1/3 the price of W2K, besides being infiniately more stable, and automatically takes care of the security holes (unless I choose to download a patch within days after a hole is announced) f) SuSE employees can house, cloth and feed their family, thus assuring a continuation to a fine product and to their continued altruism in producing such a fine product. JLK csijon wrote:

My main system has stood as 6.1, my play (Development) box has been updated to 6.3 this month with some protection by raid drives.(Linux used as example, I treat them all the same).

It will stay as it for a time, such as in my case I use a statement of knowing what is going to crash it, or three months have passed without problems ( like winning the lotto).

It then gets blown and rebuilt as pre-production ( mirroring production)

Another month safe, then I swap production / preproduction for a month

and then rebuild the new pre-production as a new build.

It may use some 5 months to get a changeover (usually 8) but I rarely loose my live system.

Until suppliers of operating systems trest them properly and across many hardware platforms and countries before releasing, I shall remain.

I must say SuSE Linux is making me think of decreasing my cycle, M$ however make me more cautious.

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From: Philipp Thomas To: abrahams@acm.org Cc: suse-linux-e@suse.com; Joakim Schramm Subject: Re: [SLE] New SUSE version. Date: Wednesday, 16 February 2000 15:27

* Paul W. Abrahams (abrahams@valinet.com) [20000216 05:02]:

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release). At least in a production environment it's 'never change a running system', as stability is by far more important than features.

Now that's what I call a principled and altruistic attitude. Clearly it's in SuSE's economic interest to have every user buy every new distribution.

Well, first of all keep in mind that primarily these are my private oppinions. And don't forget that SuSE also offers professional services

scsijon ---------- like

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consulting, business support and training, so the distribution isn't the only source of profit.

Philipp

-- Philipp Thomas SuSE GmbH, Deutschherrenstrasse 15-29, 90429 Nuremberg

The only difference between a bug and a feature is you can turn a feature off.

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