which #! for newbie's new computer?

elalemever · 2012-05-23 19:00:04

Hi All,

I guess I am a newbie when it comes to Linux but I have used Crunchbang 9 and 10 (maybe even glasses on my several computers and I am in love with its speed, simplicity and looks. Most recently, I have installed a recent Statler 10 64-bit BP image to one of my computers and I am thrilled with it, except for some really old software. I managed to add some Debian unstable repos to install newer versions of some of the programs which are old in Statler and BPO repos but I encounter a situation I needed to update half of the system. I don't need to be in the cutting edge but it would be nice to have all dependencies without trouble for most programs.

Now I am getting a new laptop (thinkpad) with an optimus video which I hope to use with multiple monitors and half of hdd drive will belong to a linux distro and I am thinking Crunchbang. But I could not figure which one to get install for stable system where I can install newer software without too much of an hassle. Is backports way to go? Or even #! 11, provided it will go on to have smooth upgrades rather than requiring clean installs. Could you give me some advice?

cheers,

machinebacon · 2012-05-23 19:50:42

Hello!

Definitely take the new Waldorf images. They are updated regularly, but not 4x a day like Sid big_smile I'm on Sid too, and upgrading is sometimes a pain. On another partition I use Waldorf, and it is superb.

Not sure about the Optimus, though. That's still a tricky card in Linux (google for bumblee and switcheroo). I have no experience with it, but I haven't read or heard about a 100% fool-proof way of getting to work.

Hope somebody else can write something about it first hand.

elalemever · 2012-05-23 20:41:45

Thanks, a lot for the feedback. Quick question: Say, I went with Waldorf, I think they are development images, what happens the real thing is out? I will be continuously updated? Or will I require a clean install?

I don't really mind switching to "discrete graphics" on my bios to make it work, so I don't necessarily want/need the energy saving features of optimus. I heard about bumblee, but it seems quite painful get it working. Of course, I will listen to anyone who begs to differs.

machinebacon · 2012-05-23 20:53:45

Re: Waldorf, you have two ways to go:

Wadorf is tied to Wheezy. In the moment Wheezy is in testing. When Wheezy goes to stable (sometime after summer this year), Waldorf will go Stable, too. You can change this and keep it rolling by changing the sources list (change "wheezy" to "testing") - that's matter of 30 seconds (sudo geany /etc/apt/sources.list)

You will be able to keep Waldorf anyway, at least until Wheezy (on which it is based) will be obsolete. So in 4 years (?)

pidsley · 2012-05-23 23:43:24

^ +1 waldorf and change sources to "testing" or "sid" -- roll on...

don't bother with backports at this point (with waldorf so available and easy to switch sources)

elalemever · 2012-05-23 23:52:53

Waldorf it is then. Thanks a lot guys.

stretch_68 · 2012-05-24 23:40:55

Just did this, do I need to do anything to the waldorf list at the top?

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#1 2012-05-23 19:00:04

which #! for newbie's new computer?

#2 2012-05-23 19:50:42

Re: which #! for newbie's new computer?

#3 2012-05-23 20:41:45

Re: which #! for newbie's new computer?

#4 2012-05-23 20:53:45

Re: which #! for newbie's new computer?

#5 2012-05-23 23:43:24

Re: which #! for newbie's new computer?

#6 2012-05-23 23:52:53

Re: which #! for newbie's new computer?

#7 2012-05-24 23:40:55

Re: which #! for newbie's new computer?

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