csant/log

My current Linux system is something I'd call "based on SUSE 9.3": once upon a time this was SUSE, but has since grown into something very different, where I have manually updated most applications. It has reached a stage where it gets more and more tricky to maintain - the YaST package manager had its final fit today, upgrading a package - that I could not start anymore afterwards because of package dependencies. So I am looking for something else - and before you suggest some other OS: I am interested in Linux.

Requirements:

• Binary and source packages should be available;
  
• they should be as unpatched as possible (I don't like distros applying their own patches);
  
• it should have a bleeding edge branch with most-up-to-date packages;
  
• the package manager of the distro should be flexible enough to ideally be able to handle manual upgrades of the packages - but at least to allow the installed base to be expanded;
  

The installed system should offer

• a fast boot;
  
• lightweight system;
  
• good hardware support;
  
• good support from the community
  

I do have some distros in mind, but first, I'd like unbiassed input: I am open for suggestions