Criteria for a debian based distro

[Faded_Mantis]

The most recent flavour of Linux I've been using has been Sidux, but the update cycle in sid is a little too fast for my liking.

What I'm looking for:
- Debian Based
- KDE 4.X
- Ideally it would still be able to use debian archives (ie like sidux)
- Updates less often than sid, so you aren't a long way behind if you miss a week, but often enough to still have up to date versions of software.

Can anyone help me with this criteria, please?

[a1ecks]

You could check out mepis 8.5 beta, its Debian based and has kde so yeah.

[coopstah13]

f you want up to date software, this naturally comes with frequent updates. You can't really pick one or the other, unless when you say up to date software, you don't really mean the latest versions of it. You could try debian testing branch, this has newer stuff than stable, but not as new as unstable, and doesn't get updated as often.

[loopback]

Debian Testing (Squeeze) is really your only choice.

I feel the same as you when it comes to sidux or Debian's Sid; Which is what sidux is based on. Sidux and Sid is just flying by me too fast for my taste. Both too unstable and too much work for me.

Debian Testing, code name Squeeze, is fairly up to date. And is, in my humble opinion, stable enough for daily use without the eratic behaviour of Sid or sidux.

The default Debian install comes with Gnome but one can easily install KDE. And I believe Squeeze has KDE 4.3 in it's repos.

Just checked. Yes, it's version 4.3.2.

[Faded_Mantis]

Thanks for the tips guys, I have some downloading and testing to do.

Coopstah - Yes, by up to date I didn't mean the latest version as available in unstable, but new enough not to be missing out on much. ie I don't really need version 1.0.1 of the programme on monday, version 1.0.2 on thursday, version 1.0.3 on saturday, etc. I'm happy to use version 1.01 until there is a feature I want included in the programme. A good example is when openoffice was made able to open .docx

loopback - I found sidux was stable enough for me, I never had any major problems, but I just got sick up updating all the time. As for KDE 4.3 in testing, thanks for the info. I didn't realise that testing had moved to it, it's been a while since I checked.

[TheBigPhish]

Run squeeze for a while. Debian Sta(b)le has always been nice, but it's stagnant...the Stale moniker is quite accurate, but testing has more than enough reward to justify the risk. If you are mildly competent with Synaptic, and some of the abilities to lock versions and such, you can get quite the impressive set of features at the same time keeping the stable versions stability. One thing I have found to be important with testing is to take the "upgrade" method right out of the gameplan. Start with stable, change your repos to list testing, and then reload your repos right away. If you force upgrade to testing, you will get a little more bleeming edge stuff than you may want, and your reliable debian system may poop itself more than you are comfortable.

Start with stable, update to testing in the repos, and then pick and choose things to your liking. I've got quite the kickass Dell D830 right now, with TuxOnIce, ripping Nvidia drivers, encryption, *****ing battery life...and nary a kernelpanic in sight.

but don't fall victim to the perils of the "upgrade" button.

[loopback]

Phish, what do you mean by '...the perils of the 'upgrad' button'? Don't understand. I've never had any problems upgrading my Squeeze OS when prompted.

[Deach]

I guess my question would be how often you were upgrading your sidux box and also how long would you like to go without upgrading. I have several sidux boxes I don't see but once a month or even longer. I guess the situation with any box is if you don't keep it "fairly up to date" you're gonna miss some things sure. Once a month on a sidux box is totally acceptable. (although it's gonna be a bigger update sure). Anyway good luck on whatever you try.

[Faded_Mantis]

Deach - I was updating every 3-7 days. The sidux website and forums recommended updates around this often, and the general concensus on the forums was that once a month was ok, but shouldn't be your general update cycle.

You've had no problems with monthly updates?

[Deach]

Deach - I was updating every 3-7 days. The sidux website and forums recommended updates around this often, and the general concensus on the forums was that once a month was ok, but shouldn't be your general update cycle.

You've had no problems with monthly updates?

Honestly I haven't. When KDE4 came out I had some issues, and when lenny went stable I did. (and they weren't too major) Your mileage may of course vary. I'm NOT trying to go against anything discussed at the sidux forums but, sometimes it's a little "tough" over there. I have a couple of boxes that I honestly haven't seen for over 6 months and they're still going fine. I'm not sure what I'll encounter when I update those however. Good luck with whatever distro you decide on. I know there's many to pic from.