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Security Updates Released for Debian 8 and 7 (debian.org)

Posted by EditorDavid on from the jessie-and-wheezy dept.

An anonymous reader writes: The Debian Project just released Debian 8.5, which adds 65 security updates to the stable release. They're also releasing the final update to Debian 7 (codenamed 'wheezy'), which includes "all other security updates released during the lifetime of 'wheezy' that have not previously been part of a point release."

They're emphasizing that each of the new updates "does not constitute a new version...but only updates some of the packages included. There is no need to throw away old...CDs or DVDs but only to update via an up-to-date Debian mirror after an installation to cause any out of date packages to be updated."

2 of 76 comments (clear)

  1. Time for the FreeBSD migration to begin. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    If this is the final update to Debian 7, then it's just about time for the FreeBSD migration to begin.

    It's no secret that many Debian users have experienced significant problems with systemd since it became the default in Debian 8 "jessie".

    These problems include Linux installations which no longer boot properly due to various problems with systemd.

    So some Debian users have chosen to remain on Debian 7 as long as possible in order to avoid systemd.

    Now that the days of Debian 7 appear to be coming to an end, these people will have to make a big decision.

    They can't keep using Debian 7 if it's not receiving bug fixes, and they can't use Debian 8 if it includes systemd.

    Obviously those who need to keep using Linux will have to move to another Linux distribution, although this is problematic because almost all of the major Linux distros now use systemd by default and require awkward hacks and workarounds to run without systemd.

    There is the Devuan fork of Debian, but it's still a small, immature, niche Linux distro.

    Those who aren't tied to Linux are seriously considering alternatives.

    PC-BSD is becoming known as one of the best options for desktop/workstation Debian users seeking refuge from systemd.

    Others are switching to OS X, and a minority have even chosen to use Windows 10.

    Those running servers are tending to choose FreeBSD.

    Some others are choosing OpenBSD, especially those running servers that must be highly secure.

    systemd has proven itself not only to be the worst thing that has happened to Linux, but it has actually turned out to be one of the best things that has happened to the *BSDs.

    systemd has effectively forced many of the best Linux users away form Linux to the *BSDs and other OSes.

    When computing historians look back on this period of time, they'll note that systemd was more harmful to the Linux community and its existence than anything else, including SCO and Microsoft.

    1. Re:Time for the FreeBSD migration to begin. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Interesting

      "If this is the final update to Debian 7, then it's just about time for the FreeBSD migration to begin. It's no secret that many Debian users have experienced significant problems with systemd since it became the default in Debian 8 "jessie". These problems include Linux installations which no longer boot properly due to various problems with systemd. So some Debian users have chosen to remain on Debian 7 as long as possible in order to avoid systemd. Now that the days of Debian 7 appear to be coming to an end, these people will have to make a big decision. They can't keep using Debian 7 if it's not receiving bug fixes, and they can't use Debian 8 if it includes systemd. Obviously those who need to keep using Linux will have to move to another Linux distribution, although this is problematic because almost all of the major Linux distros now use systemd by default [wikipedia.org] and require awkward hacks and workarounds to run without systemd. There is the Devuan fork of Debian, but it's still a small, immature, niche Linux distro. Those who aren't tied to Linux are seriously considering alternatives. PC-BSD is becoming known as one of the best options for desktop/workstation Debian users seeking refuge from systemd. Others are switching to OS X, and a minority have even chosen to use Windows 10. Those running servers are tending to choose FreeBSD. Some others are choosing OpenBSD, especially those running servers that must be highly secure. systemd has proven itself not only to be the worst thing that has happened to Linux, but it has actually turned out to be one of the best things that has happened to the *BSDs. systemd has effectively forced many of the best Linux users away form Linux to the *BSDs and other OSes. When computing historians look back on this period of time, they'll note that systemd was more harmful to the Linux community and its existence than anything else, including SCO and Microsoft."