Episode 123: Rollin’ Rollin’ Rollin’ Release!

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The Main Topic:

Full Rolling vs. Part Rolling Distribution
- Part-rolling distributions (semi-rolling, or half-rolling) have a subset of software packages that are not rolling. These packages usually form either a non-rolling ‘core’ (such as the kernel and other major packages) or conversely a non-rolling ‘wrapper’ (normally custom application software to aid ease of use).
  - PCLinuxOS, Chakra Linux, Aurora OS (non-rolling core)
  - Toorox Linux (non-rolling wrapper)
- Full-rolling distributions do not divide the distribution into a rolling and non-rolling part. They apply the rolling release software development model to the entirety of the software stack.
  - aptosid, siduction and Semplice Linux (based on non-rolling development core)
  - Arch Linux, Gentoo Linux, rPath Linux, and Yoper Linux (all independent)
  - Sabayon Linux, Calculate Linux, Funtoo Linux (all based on Gentoo Linux)
  - Arch Hurd, ArchBang, CTKArch, KahelOS, and Parabola GNU/Linux (all based on Arch Linux)
Pseudo Rolling vs True Rolling Distribution
- Pseudo-rolling distributions attempt to stabilize a development branch of a non-rolling distribution via software patches to obtain a distribution with features similar to those of a true rolling release.
  - aptosid, siduction, Semplice Linux, antiX, LMDE, Aurora OS, Vanillux and Epidemic Linux
- True-rolling distributions are developed solely using a rolling release software development model.
  - Arch Linux, Gentoo Linux, rPath Linux, Yoper Linux and Sorcerer Linux (along with its forks: Source Mage and Lunar)
  - Arch Hurd, ArchBang, KahelOS, Parabola GNU/Linux etc. (based on Arch Linux)
  - Sabayon Linux, Calculate Linux, Funtoo Linux, etc. (based on Gentoo Linux)
  - Foresight Linux (based on rPath Linux)
Other Flavors Of Rolling
- Opt-rolling distributions either have a separate rolling and non-rolling release edition of the distribution, or can be optionally run as a rolling or a non-rolling release distribution. Generally, they are either rolling or non-rolling by default. Optionally rolling distributions are relatively rare, compared to other rolling release distribution models.
  - openSUSE (using Tumbleweed)
- Cyclic-rolling distributions are based on a cyclical development branch of a non-rolling distribution; as a result the general age and stability of the packages does not remain consistent through the development cycle; especially across the end of a cycle, during a release of the non-rolling parent distribution.
  - antiX and LMDE
Rolling Release DIstros!
- Gentoo Linux (full, true, independent)
  - An independent ‘self-build’ source-based distribution
  - Puts an emphasis on compiling software packages from source-code using the Portage Package Manager, rather than installing pre-compiled binary software packages
  - Supports a wide range of computer architectures and desktop environments
  - Most up-to-date packages through Portage
- Arch Linux (full, true, independent)
  - An independent community developed Linux distribution
  - Adheres to the KISS principle and aims to use only ‘vanilla software’ packages (i.e. plain/non-customized), minimizing the number of software patches and giving a ‘simpler’ operating system.
  - Uses the Pacman package manager and is a ‘self-build’ distribution
  - Rolling release with tweaks out the wazzz.
- Sabayon Linux (full, true, Gentoo-based)
  - A binary-based live distribution
  - Wide range of desktop environments available, including Cinnamon, Enlightenment, Fluxbox, GNOME, KDE, LXDE, Openbox, and Xfce
  - Adheres to the out of the box philosophy and is intended to “just work”
  - Aims to provide a Gentoo-based distribution that is easy to use for less experienced and newbie Linux users.
  - Background updates through Rigo-daemon or Entropy-daemon.
  - Ability to use binary build of packages or roll your own through the portage system or using overlay.
- Linux Mint Debian Edition (pseudo, cyclic, Debian-based)
  - A live distribution which is rolling and based on Debian “Testing”
  - Available with either the MATE/Cinnamon or Xfce desktop environments
  - Receives “Update Packs” which are tested snapshots of Debian Testing. Users can choose either “Incoming” or “Latest” repository. (Testing > Incoming > Latest)
  - Users can switch their sources to follow Testing, or even Unstable, directly to get more frequent updates.
  - Can adapt most ubuntu .debs to run on Debian
- OpenSUSE Tumbleweed (opt)
  - Very up to date, but on development systems things can break quite easily.
  - Independent RPM binary-based live Linux distribution
  - Open source and community developed, produced by the openSUSE Project which is sponsored by SUSE
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