Debian 11 bullseye: What is the trial version?

Last night, I installed the Debian GNU / Linux 11 “Bullseye” distribution. This is a trial version of the next big release of the distribution.

The development started a few months ago, and a few days ago was released the second alpha build of Debian Bullseye Installer.

Along with the 2 alpha Installers, however, Live DVDs are released with the taste that interests you (if there is anyone who is interested, or is bored due to coronavirus).

• debian-live-testing-amd64-kde + nonfree.iso (With non-free firmware Live DVD)
• firmware-bullseye-DI-alpha2-amd64-DVD-1.iso (with non-free firmware full install ISO)
• debian-live-testing-amd64-kde.iso (Live DVD)

I did the installation from the first DVD, and it went fine. The installer as in all Live ISOs, is not the classic Debian installer, but the very simple and widespread Calamares installer.

My tests so far have found no errors. Of course I have mentioned too many times that the test versions of the Debian distribution are more stable than the constants of other distributions.

Each trial version starts as a copy of the previous version (in this case the current fixed buster version is used), and then begins to develop into a state called "testing".

This does not mean that your system will crash, because new packages are only allowed to pass through this distribution after a certain period of time has elapsed and no critical errors have been reported for them.

The only thing you need to be aware of in the trial versions is that the security team does not develop security updates for the "testing" distribution. But this is not so important, as a change in the sources.list file fixes the problem. Just change the test version URL

deb http://security.debian.org/ testing-security main

in the URL used by the fixed distribution (buster) (in the Security URL you do not need to add contrib non-free, a main arrives)

deb http://deb.debian.org/debian buster-updates main

If you are reading this post and are thinking of trying out Linux at some point, do not do it with the Debian distribution.

It may be one of the most consistent on the market (used by dozens of other distributions) but that does not mean it is easy. Almost everything your computer needs to work properly will have to go through manually (graphics drivers, Wi-Fi, printers, etc.).