Arch Linux

b9anders

Member

Registered: 2007-11-07

Posts: 691

Re: No maintenance Linux

I'd suggest debian stable. If you visit once every two years, that should be adequate for updates once it is set up and configured.

Would have to recommend against Arch. It requires some more hands on to maintain a rolling release. In theory, you can maintain it via ssh, but unless you're actually using it, you're not gonna notice how the latest xorg-server changed performance, how the new qt has a glitch, or that video output suddenly opening in its own window in vlc is a feature, even though its set not to. All things that will confuse the computer illiterate.

Redroar

Member

Registered: 2008-03-17

Posts: 200

Re: No maintenance Linux

Yeah, but what about TightVNC tunneled through SSH? That should give you a picture of any glitches that may pop up from updated programs. Though it won't really give you an idea of performance issues, I'll admit.

Also, I should note that I just upgraded one of my Arch boxes after 6 months of inactivity. I read the pacman log, merged all the configs, and it was all good. Though, I admit that I was probably just lucky with how easy it was.

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whompus

Member

From: Durham. UK

Registered: 2005-08-09

Posts: 256

Re: No maintenance Linux

I've just done a test on my spare computer which has not been switched on since July 2008 I know this is a bad example of  how to upgrade but it is just to get an idea what is involved. Total time about 4 hours.
pacman -Syu
A few warning messages about conflicts and files to replace etc so no files upgraded.
pacman -Syuf
427 packages to upgrade 905MB download
On installing the packages various errors about loading shared libraries to do with dbus warnings about the new xorg-server some optional dependencies.
After installation to try and correct libdbus errors
pacman -S dbus dbus-glib dbus-core
Reboot
Remove RgbPath from xorg.conf Add Option "AutoAddDevices" "False" to "ServerFlags"
cp /usr/share/hal/fdi/policy/10osvendor/10-keyboard.fdi /etc/hal/fdi/policy
startx
Boots into kde but having some issues with linuxwacom driver and catalyst crashing the xorg-server.

lilsirecho

Veteran

Registered: 2003-10-24

Posts: 5,000

Re: No maintenance Linux

An additional note of interest for the Live faunos system is that power can be shut off directly with no damage to the system.

With flash drives as data storage devices on USB port(s), no hdd is needed for storage.  Power savings is large.

Performance while booted is enhanced with higher speed ram cpus.

System remains static and reproducible every boot.

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