MX linux 19.4 end of support. [Solved]

[pianokeyjoe]

@pianokeyjoe All the packages for MX-14 -> MX-21 are available on http://mxrepo.com
The main.mepis-deb.org domain we used for MX-14 was not renewed by the community member that originally acquired it, forcing the change in repo URLs.
As releases reach EOL they are removed from the mirrors, so far that's MX-14, 15 & 16.
At some point they will be moved to archive.mxrepo.com but it hasn't become necessary yet.

OOH! Thankyou!

[figueroa]

@JanK
I think for version 18, you can continue to use it until doing so is impractical. Once Firefox (or whatever your main browser is) stops upgrading (most users' main vulnerability) one need to move forward. But, don't expect MX-18 to suddenly stop working.

There are non-obvious benefits to upgrading on a timely basis; up-to-date security fixes, other OS bug fixes, often better stability, new software features. Upgrading is not as scary as it may seem. In my opinion, the best way for those who can is to install the new system to a spare partition (The one that was planned for in advance, right? When setting up a new computer, I always make at least three operating system partitions; one for the new OS, one for the next OS, and one for the OS after that. That way one can always go back one or two generations after future upgrades.). Then, without urgency, if things seem to be satisfactory, then selectively copy user files from the old home directories to the new home directories while avoiding polluting the nice new clean system with configurations stored in the old home directories.

Always make sure personal files are safely backed up before making system-level changes (like installing an operating system). Many alligator sized tears have been shed for not having backups. There is no free lunch.

[JanK]

There are non-obvious benefits to upgrading on a timely basis; up-to-date security fixes, other OS bug fixes, often better stability, new software features. Upgrading is not as scary as it may seem.

Thanks for your reply. Not that i am afraid of upgrade, but the thing is i also maintain PCs of other family members, who use it only for office/browsing and they are not fond of any changes.

[asqwerth]

But browsing is where a fair number of potential security issues can arise.

Eventually the MX packaging team will stop building updated firefox, etc for MX18 since it will be EOL around June 2022. They may continue building some packages for a few more months after EOL, but then it will come to an end.

You can continue running MX18, but there will be no further updates, including security stuff (Firefox, kernel etc). Perhaps you can extend its life a little longer by making your family members run flatpak or appimage versions of browsers thereafter, but no guarantees. Sometimes an older debian version may not run a very new appimage because some dependencies weren't packed into the appimage. Or the flatpak framework on older Debian may no longer work with a newer flatpak app. You'll have to test them out.

And you won't get kernel updates.

It's up to you, of course, since you are the maintainer for your family.

[JanK]

But browsing is where a fair number of potential security issues can arise.

You can continue running MX18, but there will be no further updates, including security stuff (Firefox, kernel etc).

No, i (we) am using mostly MX19 now. It (as far as Debian, as i see) is on LTS to 2024/06. And i want to make very clear, if LTS support includes not only general security updates, but also updates for popular browsers?

"Thus the Debian LTS team takes over security maintenance of the various releases once the Debian Security team stops its work."

So i want to know what this security maintenance include.

[asqwerth]

Presumably (and logically), Debian LTS team will only address security issues of packages actually found in its own Debian Stable repo.

So you will need to check on what browsers are actually found in Debian Stable repo, and what are found in 3rd party repos (eg from the actual devs of the browser in question). Example, Vivaldi isn't in Debian Stable.

If a browser isn't in Debian Stable repo, then it depends on whether the devs for that browser continue to provide security updates for an older version of Debian when the new Debian Stable is released.

Note: It is MX packaging team that builds updated FF for the still-supported releases of MX. That's because Debian provides FF ESR, not "standard" FF. Can't speak for Debian's ESR support during the LTS period. But at least with standard FF, MX will provide updates to EOL since it's the default browser.

[JanK]

Presumably (and logically), Debian LTS team will only address security issues of packages actually found in its own Debian Stable repo.
Note: It is MX packaging team that builds updated FF for the still-supported releases of MX. That's because Debian provides FF ESR, not "standard" FF. Can't speak for Debian's ESR support during the LTS period. But at least with standard FF, MX will provide updates to EOL since it's the default browser.

Thanks, that was helpful. Will think what can be done

[FrSu]

Sorry, maybe I am understanding the things in a wrong way. As long as FF is updated you should not have a problem. Or?

[figueroa]

There are non-obvious benefits to upgrading on a timely basis; up-to-date security fixes, other OS bug fixes, often better stability, new software features. Upgrading is not as scary as it may seem.

Thanks for your reply. Not that i am afraid of upgrade, but the thing is i also maintain PCs of other family members, who use it only for office/browsing and they are not fond of any changes.

Your users don't have to know a thing. You can easily give them the identical look and feel of MX-18 on MX-21.