Ubuntu Considering Ending Traditional Release Cycles

http://arstechnica.com/information-...nge-that-would-end-traditional-release-cycle/

"In the nine-year history of Ubuntu Linux, a new version of the operating system has come out every six months. But Canonical, Ubuntu's developer, is considering ditching that model in favor of one that produces an entirely new version only once every two years—while speeding up the overall pace of development by adopting a "rolling release" cycle in between."

 

As I see it, it would work as a rolling release that is stabilised as an LTS every 2 years.

They forked away from Debian to get 6 months releases and now they are moving back to a similar cycle to Debian (where testing is their rolling release and the main release equivalent of LTS).

Cheers, Nick

 

I like it.
Mrk

 

makes sense to me.

having to re-install a new OS every 6 months is a major PITA.

 

I agree.

 

About damned time.

 

Yeah, I like it too.. Sounds like a great move..

 

I approve.

If Ubuntu does this, the effects on Mint will be interesting. LM would then have 2 rolling releases, one Ubuntu and one Debian based. The Mint team have tossed around the idea of going full Debian base in the past so I wonder.

 

I see problems with this, relying more on remote automatic software updates like Windows might be a problem. I fear they will spend most of the time on security updates and patches instead of improving the core components on the OS.

Saying that, I stick to LTS releases so I would support the move if it brings better quality releases..

 

That would be nice, especially if Mint followed suit. When I found out a half-rolling release meant re-installing the whole OS every major release I lol'd.