Difference between RELEASE, STABLE, CURRENT (was (no subject) )

[Jim Van Fleet]

Along the same lines:

Do drivers trickle down from CURRENT into STABLE?  For example, I have 
an Intel ICH7 sound card.  I've noticed that support is available for 
these cards in CURRENT, but I am currently running STABLE (even though 
phoenix says not to-- whoops!)

I understand that different circumstances may yield different results, 
but is there a general rule of thumb?

BTW, thanks to all involved for a tremendous OS.  I'm definitely smitten.

Cheers,

Jim