The waits are long when it comes to Debian, but definitely worth it for its most staunch followers. The operating system that serves as the base for dozens of distros out there has just received its latest major update, reaching version 9.0, "Stretch". The distro already boasts more than 50,000 packages, and carries some very high-profile changes, including modern versions of its core modules.
Support and release cadence
Support is not a source of concern for Debian users. If my memory serves me right, version 7.0 Wheezy will receive updates until May of next year (it was released in 2013), and 8.0 Jessie will extend to May 2020, a bit beyond the support Windows 7 will have. However, the Debian project maintains a relatively precise pace of a major update every 24 months, with the occasional calendar shift. This time, the mark reached 26: Debian 9.0 Stretch debuted last weekend and brings very important changes, but first and foremost, it comes with a special dedication to Ian Murdock, the original founder of the Debian project who passed away in December 2015.
Major changes
One of the most important replacements is MySQL. Its acquisition by Oracle remains a delicate point among users, so it was decided to retire it in favor of MariaDB. Another notable fact is the formal return of Firefox and Thunderbird to the distro. For years, Debian has used its "debranded" alternatives, Iceweasel and Icedove, but now the project can include the original brands. There are also new versions of the Linux kernel (4.9) and GnuPG, LibreOffice reaches its build 5.2, and there are general updates for all desktop environments.
Architecture and future
In closing, Debian 9 welcomes the mips64el architecture, but at the same time says goodbye to basic i386 support (the list of affected processors is here), and to the PowerPC architecture, meaning all those old Macs still in the fight will have to continue their adventure with Wheezy/Jessie, or find an alternative. Debian 9 will receive updates until June 2022, however, we estimate that Debian 10 will have its official debut in two or three years.
