Love it. But do I need to upgrade?

[Peekay]

Hi. I have been running SparkyLinux 4 (Tyche) LXDE on a Core-2 DUO laptop for several years. Super fast, nice GUI, really pleased.

I get system updates all the time so the version that I have appears to be supported, but from the download options here I can see that my version is relatively old. Do I need to (and should I) install the newer version?

I have OpenSUSE on another PC and that just stops receiving updates every year or so and I have to do a full version upgrade from an ISO. What kind of release is Sparky because despite its age mine still gets updates?

Cheers. Peekay.

[AxL]

Hi. I have been running SparkyLinux 4 (Tyche) LXDE on a Core-2 DUO laptop for several years. Super fast, nice GUI, really pleased.

I get system updates all the time so the version that I have appears to be supported, but from the download options here I can see that my version is relatively old. Do I need to (and should I) install the newer version?
[....]

The version you are using is:
Sparky 4 "Tyche" is based on the Debian 9 'oldoldstable' "Stretch"

And, it will be supported until next year (June 30, 2022)

See also:

• LTS (Long Term Support) - Debian Wiki
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Cheers!!   :)

[Peekay]

Many thx for the info AxL  :)

My home folder is on a separate partition and I keep a backup of my config folder.

When the time comes to upgrade, will I be able to run an updater program from a downloaded ISO, or does it have to be done using terminal?


Peekay 

[AxL]

Many thx for the info AxL  :)

You're welcome !!  Peekay   ;)

[....]
  When the time comes to upgrade, will I be able to run an updater program from a downloaded ISO, or does it have to be done using terminal?

Please, check this article:

• Sparky 4 transition – SparkyLinux
  
  
  

  
  [....]
  If you would like to upgrade Sparky 4 to Sparky 5 – it is possible, but I recommend to make fresh Sparky 5 installation.
  By the way, if you decide to make such upgrade, do:
  1. Change Debian repos from 'stretch' to 'buster' or keep 'stable' at the /etc/apt/sources.list
  2. Temporary change Sparky repos from 'oldstable' to 'stable' at the /etc/apt/sources.d/sparky-oldstable.list if your system uses Sparky 'oldstable' repos already, and refresh package list:
  sudo apt update
  3. Install the latest version of 'sparky5-apt' package which has to remove 'sparky4-apt':
  sudo apt update
  sudo apt install sparky-apt sparky5-apt
  4. Then upgrade the system:
  sudo apt update
  sudo apt full-upgrade
  If any problem:
  sudo apt install -f
  
  Let me know if you find any problem with your system upgrade, please.
  

  
  

Cheers !!!  :)