The Benefit of Setting Accept_Keywords="amd64"

[sumati]

Gentoo official wiki says: "The default value of most profiles' ACCEPT_KEYWORDS variable is the architecture itself, like amd64 or arm." (https://wiki.gentoo.org/wiki/ACCEPT_KEYWORDS) It is clear that the benefit of setting accept_keywords="amd64", i.e., using only stable version of packages, is the stability. But I want to know whether it means also that with this setting the user would have a lower frequency of system updating or not. I think there are many users like me who don't want to update the system very often and each time with a long list of package updating, even at a cost of using the old version and waiting for the stable version for a long time.

[eeckwrk99]

[pingtoo]

I am curious what lead you believe accept_keywords="amd64" mean less frequent updates.

The frequency of update is the user's choice, as long as you ran the emerge -Uxx @world if there is some changes in your package usage, it will get updated, if you don't run the emerge command nothing will get updated.

stability have nothing to do with changes especially Gentoo does not create changes. it is all upstream (the application developer) decide something worthy of change and they perform the changes, I would imaging the in many reason you would like to capture that changes as soon as possible because your choose of the package (assume it also mean you trust the developer's judgement)

On the other hand, I choose stable as in once I got my Gentoo setting working as I liked, I never ran emerge update world, because it is already function like I need I don't need anything extra because something new come up. I don't necessary care of the security because I review the threat vector, if it is not relate to my use case I don't need to care.

So the stability is own definition, Don't let Gentoo choose for you.

[CaptainBlood]

The more packages, higher the risk of troubles with ~arch.

Cherrypicking ~arch packages here.

Thks 4 ur attention, interest & support.
_________________
USE="-* ..." in /etc/portage/make.conf here.
LT: "I've been doing a passable imitation of the Fontana di Trevi, except my medium is mucus. Sooo much mucus. "

[decuser]

Noob here. I will probably go the route of amd64 and once I get it where I want it leave it. But, my question is what happens 6 months down the road when I add a new package, will emerge just pull in the package and its dependencies, or will it go off and update everything. Forgive my naivety. I want a stable base, but I tend to add and remove stuff in spurts as I do a lot of tech exploring. I detest needing constant updates online, so I’m curious.

[CaptainBlood]

Once in a while it may so happen stable update to request unstable keywording for dependencie(s).
If it happens, it will likely be corrected in a short time.

When portage asks for dependency keyworking it always suggests the highest version within the calling ebuild constraints.
I prefer testing with the lowest instead, and upgrading step by step to higher if required.

Thks 4 ur attention, interest & support.
_________________
USE="-* ..." in /etc/portage/make.conf here.
LT: "I've been doing a passable imitation of the Fontana di Trevi, except my medium is mucus. Sooo much mucus. "

[CaptainBlood]

Updating on a regular basis is more than recommended.

Binary host is a new feature in gentoo, that could possibly help updating very old systems
Unsure though.

It could be a good thing to preset for it, then comment it when not required.
This shouldn't be on your critical path by now, iiuc.

Thks 4 ur attention, interest & support.
_________________
USE="-* ..." in /etc/portage/make.conf here.
LT: "I've been doing a passable imitation of the Fontana di Trevi, except my medium is mucus. Sooo much mucus. "

[Hu]

[sumati]

[sumati]

[pietinger]

[pingtoo]

[sumati]

Thank you all for your replies, comments and explanations. Of course, as I know it, switch from "~amd64" to "amd64" is also a complicated process. I have to be very careful before starting the change.

[eeckwrk99]

[sumati]