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What Ubuntu-based distribution can you recommend which has a Rolling release model? I want to have available both Ubuntu specific software (eg. Unity / Virtualbox / Snaps) and newer other software like from Debian Testing. What do you think? I want it to be a Ubuntu/Debian based distro, to be able to install .deb files.

Odin Bowens
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    Only Ubuntu and official flavors of Ubuntu (https://ubuntu.com/download/flavours) are on-topic here, so distributions based on Ubuntu are off-topic here. ; Ubuntu-based are off-topic here. – guiverc Sep 23 '20 at 11:00
  • What SX site can you recommend for this topic? – Odin Bowens Sep 23 '20 at 11:04
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    Reviewers: I personally think my answer isn't opinion (being the only on-topic answer I think we can provide thus avoiding opinion), but am happy for comments if I'm wrong :) (my answer being off-topic or unwelcome would be more my concern... I've tried to provide some warning.. the comments/discussion made post-answer have I think added warning too) – guiverc Sep 23 '20 at 11:27
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    Duplicate - Yep will agree with that. – guiverc Sep 23 '20 at 12:15

1 Answers1

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Ubuntu has Rolling Rhino

If you want to read a blog about it, I'll refer you to

https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2020/06/ubuntu-rolling-release-rhino-tool

Ubuntu desktop lead Martin Wimpress has created a tool called Rolling Rhino. Its aim: convert an Ubuntu daily build image into a “rolling release” distro by opting into and tracking the devel series of changes/packages. (Joey Sneddon)

or from the source directly

https://github.com/wimpysworld/rolling-rhino

Convert Ubuntu into a "rolling release" that tracks the devel series; for the toughest of Ubuntu users.

Created by Martin Wimpress, (lead of Ubuntu Desktop at Canonical)

Note: Using Rolling Rhino will put you off-topic for sites such as this, just like my own use of the development cycle does (I moved to groovy the day after release of focal, i'll move to the h series the day or so after groovy becomes 20.10, so be aware that you'll have less support options using Rolling Rhino, thus the warning given for the toughest of Ubuntu users.

guiverc
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  • Thank you for this answer but the solution doesn't work for me. I get this: ERROR: Ubuntu 20.04.1 LTS detected. Switching a LTS release to the devel series directly is not supported. – Odin Bowens Sep 23 '20 at 11:04
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    You move to Rhino from the development release, ie. you need to move yourself to groovy first, then bump to rhino. You've two steps to go, as stated at https://github.com/wimpysworld/rolling-rhino 'that has been installed from a daily image into a "rolling release"'. You're currently on stable and need to bump to daily equivalent which currently is groovy (where I am), then you can bump to rhino – guiverc Sep 23 '20 at 11:11
  • How can I update to groovy without downloading a new ISO? I have focal already installed. – Odin Bowens Sep 23 '20 at 11:19
  • Same as you upgrade a standard release, except you use the '-d' to move to an unstable release; eg. read https://wiki.ubuntu.com/FocalFossa/ReleaseNotes and read the "Upgrading from.." section. There are two commands, one for servers (sudo do-release-upgrade -d) and one for desktops (update-manager -c -d) – guiverc Sep 23 '20 at 11:22
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    Please take note of the warning... If you're needing this help, in my opinion, you're not really ready for rhino, as the loss of support sites like this will impact you if/when you have problems (development cycles are off-topic). I installed my current system when artful was still in development (ie. before it was 17.10) and I've had issues on occasion, they are rare - but they do happen. You need to be able to deal with them when they occur (you won't be able to come and ask here etc) – guiverc Sep 23 '20 at 11:24
  • Thank you for your support, I now understand the process – Odin Bowens Sep 23 '20 at 11:25
  • I think the Warning should perhaps be a bit more bold and perhaps closer to the top of the answer. – user535733 Sep 23 '20 at 11:51
  • This is not a rolling release like other OS provide. It should not be used as daily driver unless you can handle a ton of issues, it is still a development version. – pLumo Sep 23 '20 at 11:54
  • @guiverc Would you like to post an answer here https://askubuntu.com/q/97861/816190? – Kulfy Sep 23 '20 at 12:04
  • ack @Kulfy, done. Warning made more significant (not moved to top, but thanks Ian – guiverc Sep 23 '20 at 12:14
  • Excellent. Thanks :) – Kulfy Sep 23 '20 at 12:16