How can I best retest a bug in a newer or development release?

I have reported a bug that occurs in Karmic on launchpad, and I have been asked to re-test it on lucid or maverick. How can I do this best?

Solution 1:

For testing Maverick, testdrive is easiest. It'll automatically download the latest Maverick daily and run it in a Virtual Machine.

sudo apt-get install testdrive virtualbox-ose
testdrive

Solution 2:

Three routes:

• Install Ubuntu in a VM.

  Pros: Your installation is persistent, and you can switch back and forth between the VM and your normal desktop with ease.

  Cons: It'll be slow.

• Use a LiveCD.

  Pros: Most straightforward, same method as when you first installed Ubuntu.

  Cons: No persistence of session, your environment is lost when you restart.

• Install on a separate machine. CD read times are sloooow.

  Pros: Persistence, speed.

  Cons: Expensive if you don't have the hardware.

Personally, I'd go the VM route. You'll need to do with a LiveCD or physical install if your bug involves the hardware.