Linux Mint Debian Stable (For Those Running This Setup)

[KBD47]

I suggested that we needed a dedicated thread for people using Mint Debian set to Stable sources. If you have any tips, problems, or other issues related to running a Mint Debian Stable setup, this is the place to post about it. We can use this thread as a place to gather information for the Mint Debian Stable setup.
As of now you can set your sources for the LMDE 201109 Gnome and Xfce Debian spins to Stable for a solid, very reliable setup. Some people prefer the Debian Stable setup. With new Debian spins, 201204, they are tracking Wheezy, and Wheezy is set to go into freeze this June 2012, and will become the new Debian Stable in early 2013, so it is possible to follow the new Mint Debian spins into Debian Stable next year if you adjust your sources.
So if you are running Mint Debian Stable or plan to next year, this thread is for you!

[KBD47]

Just thought I would list the sources I'm using:

deb http://ftp.us.debian.org/debian/ squeeze main contrib non-free
deb http://security.debian.org/ squeeze/updates main contrib non-free
deb http://www.debian-multimedia.org squeeze main non-free
deb http://ftp.us.debian.org/debian/ squeeze-updates main contrib non-free
deb http://backports.debian.org/debian-backports squeeze-backports main contrib non-free
deb ftp://ftp.debian-multimedia.org squeeze-backports main

[GeneC]

KBD

I have one difference ?

My Active Sources.

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gene@zordon ~ $ inxi -r
Repos:     Active apt sources in file: /etc/apt/sources.list
           deb http://packages.linuxmint.com/ debian main upstream import backport
           deb http://ftp.us.debian.org/debian/ squeeze main contrib non-free
           deb http://security.debian.org/ squeeze/updates main contrib non-free
           deb http://www.debian-multimedia.org squeeze main non-free
           deb http://backports.debian.org/debian-backports squeeze-backports main contrib non-free
           deb http://www.debian-multimedia.org/ squeeze-backports main
           deb http://ftp.us.debian.org/debian/ squeeze-updates main contrib non-free

I have

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 deb http://www.debian-multimedia.org/ squeeze-backports main

You have

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deb ftp://ftp.debian-multimedia.org squeeze-backports main

I know mine works, (or at least I get stuff from it)



Where did you get that info from?
I forget where I got mine..

Also what is your apt-pinning?

Mine

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Package: *
Pin: release o=linuxmint
Pin-Priority: 700

Package: *
Pin: origin packages.linuxmint.com
Pin-Priority: 700

Package: *
Pin: release o=Debian
Pin-Priority: 700

Good Idea for this thread.

[squeezy]

As of now you can set your sources for the LMDE 201109 Gnome and Xfce Debian spins to Stable...

I would suggest you start with the 201101 spin of LMDE Gnome. The 201109 spins have newer packages than the Squeeze repos. It's sort of in between Squeeze and current Wheezy due to the age of the testing snapshot used.

Also, Xfce in Squeeze is at version 4.6 so I wouldn't suggest using the 201109 Xfce release, which is at 4.8.

[squeezy]

Also, I believe you now have to pin mintmenu so it isn't upgraded to the newer MATE version.

Caveat: I knocked my LMDE-Stable setup apart a while ago so I'm not sure if the new mintmenu works on both Gnome and MATE or not.

If anyone knows different I'll remove this post so it's not confusing in future.

[GeneC]

Yes, pin the old Mintmenu

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gene@zordon ~ $ apt-cache policy mintmenu
mintmenu:
  Installed: 5.2.4
   Version table:
     5.3.1 0
        700 http://packages.linuxmint.com/ debian/main amd64 Packages
 *** 5.2.4 0
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status


The new version Candidate: 5.3.1 does not work in Gnome 2.3, only MATE, believe.
This is the ONLY problem I have seen in the 4-5 months running LMDE/Stable/Debian Backports

[zerozero]

I have

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 deb http://www.debian-multimedia.org/ squeeze-backports main

You have

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deb ftp://ftp.debian-multimedia.org squeeze-backports main

I know mine works, (or at least I get stuff from it)

afaik, it's the same repo address but using a different protocol, you're using http, KBD is using ftp.

regarding mintmenu, in my setup 5.2.4 works (don't know about newer v. but the newest should probably give troubles because of the MATE deps, so you can always get what you need from mint's pool http://packages.linuxmint.com/pool/main/m/mintmenu/

and a topic like this needs a link to LifeInTheGrey's howto http://community.linuxmint.com/tutorial/view/497

final note now: i don't have the mint repo enabled these posts here i think explain why

[GeneC]

Thanks 'ZZ'

http, ftp....

Considering switching off Mint repo as well. In the mean time, just keeping an eye on it.

[KBD47]

Genec, I hashed this one out:
deb http://packages.linuxmint.com/ debian main upstream import backport
That one was pulling things from Mint and I was afraid it was going to bork my system, but by removing it Firefox and Thunderbird now do not get updated. I installed Iceweasel and Icedove as back ups in case I have trouble with FF/TB.
I had been using a multimedia backport I found in one of the Mint threads, but it was no good, so I searched and found a couple of options for multimedia backports and that was one option, I think what you are using is the other option. It works because it updated VLC last night.
KBD47

[KBD47]

As of now you can set your sources for the LMDE 201109 Gnome and Xfce Debian spins to Stable...

I would suggest you start with the 201101 spin of LMDE Gnome. The 201109 spins have newer packages than the Squeeze repos. It's sort of in between Squeeze and current Wheezy due to the age of the testing snapshot used.

Also, Xfce in Squeeze is at version 4.6 so I wouldn't suggest using the 201109 Xfce release, which is at 4.8.

squeezy, I'm glad you mentioned that spin because I had forgot about it. I know several people were/are using that earlier iso, I think LifeInTheGrey has a faq for using it. I took the lazy route and used the spins from late last year and simply changed sources then updated it. I've no problems with my setup. But I got concerned with having that connection to the Mint repo, and removed it for fear it would bring in something to bork my Stable version.
KBD47

[KBD47]

squeezy, something else with using the spins from late last year, right now I'm set with Stable with support for a couple of years support, but early next year I might decide to roll the dice, change sources to Wheezy, and go with the new Stable.
KBD47

[KBD47]

BTW, here are the Mint Debian Stable setups I'm running:

LMDX on a backup netbook with the 09 iso and Stable repos.

Dual boot on a netbook, LMDX 09 iso with KDE-Standard desktop installed, and LMDE Gnome 09 iso both set to Stable repos.

I also have a full install of the new LMDE spin full install to a usb stick. I will likely set it to wheezy Stable next year, see how that works and will use that setup on any new installs.
KBD47

[KBD47]

zerozero, thanks for posting LifeInTheGrey's link!
KBD47

[squeezy]

... but early next year I might decide to roll the dice, change sources to Wheezy, and go with the new Stable.
KBD47

I'm experimenting with that setup now. Running the 201204 MATE setup pointing to Wheezy. Seems to be pretty good so far!

[zerozero]

[i'm sticking this]

[KBD47]

... but early next year I might decide to roll the dice, change sources to Wheezy, and go with the new Stable.
KBD47

I'm experimenting with that setup now. Running the 201204 MATE setup pointing to Wheezy. Seems to be pretty good so far!

I am impressed at how far MATE has come along, it feels pretty much up with Gnome 2 now. I will follow along with the 201204 setup. I think the RC is pointing to wheezy instead of Latest, so I won't change that. I will use the usb stick install as a guinea pig and if all goes well as I expect, that is where I will go with new installs and upgrades into the next Stable for the future.
KBD47

[squeezy]

I am impressed at how far MATE has come along, it feels pretty much up with Gnome 2 now. I will follow along with the 201204 setup. I think the RC is pointing to wheezy instead of Latest, so I won't change that. I will use the usb stick install as a guinea pig and if all goes well as I expect, that is where I will go with new installs and upgrades into the next Stable for the future.
KBD47

I agree. MATE has come a long way since I last tried it when Mint 12 was released. The UP4 RC iso is pointing to Mint Incoming, which is identical to Mint Latest right now. It's a snapshot of Wheezy from a few weeks ago so changing to the Debian Wheezy repos is pretty painless at this point.

[KBD47]

squeezy, yes, it should be pretty easy just to change the repos.
I came to Linux by first using Mepis, based on Debian Stable, even though I beat the crap out of it learning about Linux, I could never break it. That impressed me and left an impression on me. The only issue I had was trying to get all the codecs I needed to use the system, that is why I'm such a big fan of Mint
KBD47

[zerozero]

[...]so changing to the Debian Wheezy repos is pretty painless at this point.

i would only advise to wait a few more weeks (until the deep-freeze) and then do it.

[squeezy]

i would only advise to wait a few more weeks (until the deep-freeze) and then do it.

And miss the fun of the few last minute updates?!!