The Rolling Release Strategy

[MagicMichael]

OK, I'm a bit new to PCLinuxOS and have a question regarding the rolling release. The fact that PCLinuxOS is a rolling release is one of the big reasons I've switched to it.

Right now, we're running OpenOffice 3 (this is just an example. Pick a different package if you wish). At some point, there is going to be an OpenOffice 4. Once it's released and deemed stable, is it going to be put in the repositories for my system to magically do the upgrade? Am I going to be offered a choice on when to make this switch, or does it just happen?

I can see a plus and minus side to both possibilities, I'm just curious how things work.

Thanks much
---Michael

[Neal ManBear]

Rolling release means just what it implies. Updates are done as they become available.

[Bald Brick]

Am I going to be offered a choice on when to make this switch, or does it just happen?

Of course it's your choice when to upgrade. But if you don't do it when the upgrade becomes available you shouldn't upgrade anything else either -- or install any new apps. In a rolling release pick-and-choose upgrading will sooner or later break your system. Keep everything updated, or don't upgrade at all.

[MagicMichael]

Of course it's your choice when to upgrade. But if you don't do it when the upgrade becomes available you shouldn't upgrade anything else either -- or install any new apps. In a rolling release pick-and-choose upgrading will sooner or later break your system. Keep everything updated, or don't upgrade at all.

Which makes a lot of sense - and was one reason I picked PCLOS. Essentially, there will come a day that OOo 3 magically becomes OOo 4 (I tend to stay up to date).

Thanks much
---Michael

[kjpetrie]

Yes, though OOo is a bad example because what will be upgraded automatically will be GetOpenOffice, which you will then have to run in order to upgrade OOo. Most other things will upgrade when you run Synaptic through its usual routine though.

[bicol_willem]

Hmm .. good question and the answer might not be that obvious to those new to PCLOS.
(Big sized) games and also OOo are meanwhile separated from the "main thing" .. It IS very easy to keep OOo up to date IF one knows about the "GetOpenOffice" option. Keeping an eye on the forum (and Twitter) might help here. Same goes for "GetVirtualBox". It is a lately developed way of getting things done but it COULD be escaping the attention of newbe's very easy.
The best for someone new on the board remains ..... ASK!

[MagicMichael]

Hmm .. good question and the answer might not be that obvious to those new to PCLOS.
(Big sized) games and also OOo are meanwhile separated from the "main thing" .. It IS very easy to keep OOo up to date IF one knows about the "GetOpenOffice" option. Keeping an eye on the forum (and Twitter) might help here. Same goes for "GetVirtualBox". It is a lately developed way of getting things done but it COULD be escaping the attention of newbe's very easy.
The best for someone new on the board remains ..... ASK!

You're right abut it not being obvious to a PCLOS newbie like me. Is there a list somewhere of which packages are updated on the side this way?

[Texstar]

Hmm .. good question and the answer might not be that obvious to those new to PCLOS.
(Big sized) games and also OOo are meanwhile separated from the "main thing" .. It IS very easy to keep OOo up to date IF one knows about the "GetOpenOffice" option. Keeping an eye on the forum (and Twitter) might help here. Same goes for "GetVirtualBox". It is a lately developed way of getting things done but it COULD be escaping the attention of newbe's very easy.
The best for someone new on the board remains ..... ASK!

You're right abut it not being obvious to a PCLOS newbie like me. Is there a list somewhere of which packages are updated on the side this way?

getopenoffice loads a separate repo then installs plus adds java and webcore fonts.

getvirtualbox is a script that downloads and installs Virtualbox PUEL edition since we can't include it in our repos. We do provide the OSE edition but it does not support USB.

[bicol_willem]

No, it is not (yet anyway) such a widespread way of doing things. As far as I know it is limited to OpenOffice and VirtualBox. The first I think was introduced because it became a problem to squeeze all apps etc on a CD (Installer). The last was a great move imho for now we got always the USB supported version of VirtualBox and that was what most wanted after all. Oracle didn't bother providing a package for PCLinuxOS as I understood at that time. Anyway we won this way big time thanks to those who picked up the challenge at PCLinuxOS!  
Just keep an eye on the GetOpenOffice ad GetVirtualBox thingies during updates. Easy to get used to and to remember.

[bicol_willem]

Oops ... nearly ran over "the Chief"!   

[The Chief]

Ehhh... Say what?   

[uncleV]

  Rofl

[bicol_willem]

Ehhh... Say what?   

Gosh ... there is more then one!? 

 

[NoIBnds]

In Government and big companies there are to many chiefs not enough indians, here it is just the opposite. Lots of indians and to few chiefs! 

[uncleV]

Lots of indians and to few chiefs!