LibreOffice Still vs LibreOffice Fresh

General system Applications
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So I went through some documentation regarding Libreoffice and its release notes. There are apparently 3 versions of LibreOffice is development/support at any given time. This is as per the LibreOffice Wiki Release Plan. They are

  1. Future
  2. Latest
  3. Previous

Each of the latest and previous releases typically has 12-18 months before it goes out of support. Since EOS uses Arch repositories, we are stuck with what Arch provides. It is a pity that LibreOffice does not have a true LTS version, which is supported for say 3/5/7 years with bug fixes.

It has been suggested that those who want the latest and the best should get the Latest version of LibreOffice, in case of Arch/EOS it is LibreOfficeFresh package. Those who are looking for a more mature product need to go for Previous, in case of Arch/EOS it is LibreOfficeStill package. Also Latest (i.e. LibreOfficeFresh) will have more features compared to Previous (i.e. LibreOfficeStill)

Apart from this is there any other reason why one should prefer one over the other? What do you guys use? And what are the reasons for preferring one over the other?

2

LibreOffice Fresh is the most up-to-date. The so-called “latest and greatest.” It seems to fit quite nicely in the Arch rolling release model of “always up-to-date.” LibreOffice Still seems to me to be more for Debian, its derivatives, and other static releases. Not quite up-to-date, possibly missing the newest features, but still quite usable.

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3

I am using Libreoffice Fresh.
Because this version has the most up to date functions.

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4

Amd while I’m sure there have been bugs in Fresh, I can’t recall any show stoppers (ever).

5

@UncleSpellbinder Yeah Debian and most of its derivatives still use’s the previous version, i.e. the stale version in Arch repo, which as on today is 25.2.x. I had not considered that.

@dbarronoss yes there are bugs in both the Fresh and stale variants, I too have not yet come across any instances where that has come to be a show stopper.

But apart from that is there any other reason to prefer one over the other?

6

Probably not. If you don’t mind not being “actually” up-to-date, but still be functional, go with Still. There may be a feature or two not present in Still, or a UI tweak you’re missing, but it will work just fine.

I prefer to be as up-to-date as possible with all my apps.

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I always have used LibreOffice Fresh for many years now and never had any issues.

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9

I’ve always used libreoffice-fresh because I reckon I should have the latest fixes. I’ve never had a problem, not that I use it a huge amount.

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10

fresh came with the Endeavour install and has never had a problem for me in medium-use.

I wouldn’t think of running them side-by-side though if those are your aims

11

I love my features fresh, and my bugs fresher.

what-huh

…we’re still talking about software right? :melting_face:

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