[JumpCrisscross]

> it’s unfortunate that this space can’t just be an island of stability, where things keep working the way they always have and new features are added unobtrusively

There are plenty of Linux operating systems that prize stability over feature richness. They work fine if that's your workflow. Most folks' workflows, unfortunately, are not that.

[coldtea]

>There are plenty of Linux operating systems that prize stability over feature richness.

It's a choice between arbitrary changes and constant redesigns every 4-5 years, versus bare-bones distros and DEs.

The parent asks for a third option: well featured, mature, distros that don't change for the sake of it, but still have the features.

[JumpCrisscross]

> well featured, mature, distros that don't change for the sake of it, but still have the features

I’m arguing this niche barely exists. Folks who want to run modern software tend to want something that “looks” modern.

[coldtea]

>Folks who want to run modern software tend to want something that “looks” modern.

Looks that way because nobody asked them, and marketing types and designers decide for them...

[em-bee]

fedora. stable, not bleeding edge but frequently updated (twice a year).