Preferring stable Debian packages

This is how I've configured my APT system to prioritise stable packages, but also allow me to install packages from the testing and unstable pools if I really want to. This is what's called pinning in Debian lingo.

$ cat /etc/apt/preferences
Package: *
Pin: release a=stable
Pin-Priority: 700

Package: *
Pin: release a=testing
Pin-Priority: 650

Package: *
Pin: release a=unstable
Pin-Priority: 600

With this in place, whenever I do apt-get install, it will pick packages from the stable package pool. If I want to install something from e.g. the testing pool, I add the -t parameter:

# apt-get install -t testing iceweasel

~ /home 🏠 ~ talks 💬 ~ bash ~ craftsmanship ~ db ~ dongxi ~ emacs ~ escenic ~ iam ~ java ~ js ~ language ~ latex ~ ldap ~ life ~ linux ~ llm ~ mac-os-x ~ mt-foo ~ network ~ norsk ~ python ~ quotes ~ running ~ security ~ travel ~ unix ~ various ~ vcs ~ webdesign ~ windows ~ discoveries ~ cv 🧙 ~

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