Linux

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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Noob Question Thread: Ask Any Questions About Linux! (lemmy.ml)

submitted 7 months ago by cyclohexane@lemmy.ml to c/linux@lemmy.ml

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I thought I'll make this thread for all of you out there who have questions but are afraid to ask them. This is your chance!

I'll try my best to answer any questions here, but I hope others in the community will contribute too!

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[–] lemmyvore@feddit.nl 1 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

Debian favors stability over anything else so the packages are thoroughly tested before release and then only upgraded for security issues, until the next release 2 years later when everything gets an update.

Ubuntu favors releasing more recent package versions constantly throughout the period between major releases.

You can install packages on Debian from the backports repo if you occasionally need an package to be a more recent version.

Another option is to install apps from Flatpak. The apps in Flatpak have their own separate dependency system and can be used on any distro.

If neither of these works for you and you find yourself constantly wishing packages were newer you may want to consider a different distro.

Some people switch their Debian from stable to testing to get similar updates to Ubuntu. You can try that but please understand you may experience the occasional issues.

Be wary of adding external repos (that don't point to debian. org) because they can mess with the package dependencies and prevent you from upgrading to the next version when it comes out. (This also applies to Ubuntu.)