[arp242]

IMO CentOS stream isn't problematic as such, and neither is CentOS "classic" switching to stream; distros evolve all the time. The basic idea of stream seems like a decent one as such. Some may not like it, but that's okay. In my opinion, the problematic part is that the EOL date of CentOS 8, released last year, suddenly shifted from 2029 to 2021.

For years CentOS promised long-term stability and "boringness", which was its main selling point. A very long support cycle was its main selling point. It's why people installed CentOS, and now, suddenly, that's gone.

I don't think it matters that it's free in this case; they made a commitment/promise and suddenly went back on that. I wonder what all the sponsors[1] think of this; I'd be pretty darn peeved if I would sponsor something like CentOS, and it suddenly shifted direction like this.

[1]: https://www.centos.org/sponsors/