If that's the case it might be worth considering an Arch Linux install.

To the downvoters, what's wrong with suggesting someone use a Linux distribution that's generally quite quick to package new versions of software, as a solution to their stated problem of their Linux distribution(s) making it difficult for them to install recent versions of said software?

It's quite possible to have a new Linux distribution up and running on VirtualBox in under an hour, or in a chroot under an existing Linux installation.

I'm going through some pain with some Ubuntu based distros and packaged software. Really missing Arch with its rolling releases!