[BlueOnyx:03116] Re: Error Installing StatusNet (A Twitter Clone)

[Michael Stauber]

Hi Franklin,

> You would figure that the new Blue Onyx would have
> The latest software on board. Especially PHP

CentOS is a server grade Linux OS and usually freezes the used versions of 
programs upon release. Means if CentOS 5.0 was released with php-5.1.6, then 
all versions of CentOS 5.X will also use php-5.1.6, although it'll be patched 
to hell and back peridically on an as needed basis to close security holes.

There are desktop grade Linux OS's (Fedora for example) which have a much 
shorter release cycle and (even within the same OS version) try to upgrade 
daemons and programs to the latest versions.

That comes at a drawback, though: Upgrading the version numbers of important 
daemons and ultilities can cause stability issues, version conflicts with 
other software and generally their shorter release cycles also mean: If you 
install the latest Fedora now, then two or three years down the road it'll be 
put on the back-burner patch wise and you only get "critical" security updates 
(if you're lucky).

With a server grade OS you get much longer support cycles, better relieability 
and dependability. At the expense that some of the used daemons, tools and 
libraries may be a bit aged (version number wise), but still safe to use (as 
they still are supported and patched).

And there is always the possibility of getting an updated PHP from third 
parties. Even a custom one which has whichever extras you want it to have.

-- 
With best regards

Michael Stauber