On Mon, 15 Oct 2018 17:29:31 +0000, Alister wrote:

> On Mon, 15 Oct 2018 16:53:22 +0000, RRansil wrote:
>
>> I'm currently using Raspbian Stretch with no problems, but recently
>> noticed there is a new version of Raspbian available. Every month I use
>> apt-get update/apt-get dist-upgrade, so I'm getting kernel changes to
>> the installed Raspbian that way. The Pi's only use at the moment is to
>> run a BOINC project headlessly. Are there any reasons why I should
>> routinely install the latest Raspbian operating systems as they are
>> released?
>
> there are 2 schools of though on this one
>
> 1st - if it aint broke dont fix it, afterall if the project is working
> perfectly why risk something breaking
>
> 2nd upgrading the operating system keeps you up to date with security
> fixes reducing the chances of something(or someone) untoward happening.
>
>
> I tend to option 1 unless the item his accessible via external
> connections (such as but not limited to the internet). even being behind
> a firewall is no guarantee, what happens if someone on the inside of the
> network becomes infected?
>
Good summary, though I'd tighten it up a little as:

1)if its working well and HAS NO ETHERNET OR WIFI CONNECTIONS
  then leave it alone

2)2nd in all other cases, keep Raspbian up to date with versions and
  patches

Extension to (2): if it exchanges data with any other system that can
transfer software, e.g. by exchanging SD cards, then keep it fully
patched.

In addition, and I think this applies to both cases 1 and 2; if you
upgrade or replace the application/script/whatever that you've installed
to make it to do whatever it does, then its a good idea to bring Raspbian
fully up to date as part of that process.


--
Martin    | martin at
Gregorie  | gregorie dot org

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