“You just get nicely settled into your Linux installation
and, whoosh, it’s out of date. Linux maintains a fast-paced
development cycle that can leave you gasping for breath if you try
to keep up with it. The kernel development team adds new features
and patches daily, gathering them up as “releases” on a regular
basis.”
“In addition to the kernel itself, Linux packagers use each new
distribution release as an opportunity to upgrade versions of
libraries and other open source programs and documentation. It’s
also a convenient time to add things such as new setup and admin
features. Each distro also has to keep pace with the development of
X Window and the various video and sound drivers that have been
released since the last distribution.
“Small wonder, then, that Linux distributions are a moving
target.”