Running -stable and using packages

[ai-danno]

Forgive my ignorance on this- I'm inexperienced on this portion of OBSD... I normally run -release and use pkg_add with sources from online mirrors.

I was wanting to run -stable (-release plus patches) but still be able to use the same mirror sources I've been using for packages (which obviously have been working fine for me on -release installations.) I've read the FAQ and even gone through the misc@ archives, but feel a little more confused now than when I started looking into this.

Are the mirrors that have the packages only intending those packages to be pkg_add'ed on a -release installation? Or can I 'upgrade' (or is 'update' a better term?) the installation to -stable and still use these same packages?

I read that since 4.2 the -stable packages themselves are not being maintained due to lack of resources. But I don't know if I'd be mixing things that are not intended to be mixed, or if I'm worrying over nothing.

[ocicat]

the installation to -stable and still use these same packages?
The short answer is "yes".

There are no underlying library changes between -release & -stable, so using -release packages on a -stable system should present no problems.

As you already mentioned, the practice of providing security updates to the -stable ports tree is currently discontinued. This topic periodically flares up on misc@ inciting the masses, & didn't impress a member here when it came up a few weeks ago:

http://daemonforums.org/showthread.php?t=507

[BSDfan666]

A -stable kernel can use -release packages because... there are no stable packages. :)

I have a few packages compiled locally though, for 4.3 that is. :cool:

[ocicat]

I read that since 4.2 the -stable packages themselves are not being maintained due to lack of resources.
You may be interested in the following thread from ports@:

http://marc.info/?t=116237176200001&r=1&w=2

There is an effort by people outside of the project proper to resurrect -stable packages & ports. It's too early to deem this a success or failure, but you might want to monitor their work if you are interested.

FWIW.

[BSDfan666]

It would be *really* cool if a fundraiser could be started for the revival of -stable ports.. :)

Sadly I'm not in a financial position to start such a thing.