Does it matter which version of Linux you use?

I followed the uspace build instructions for Linux Mint 19 on my laptop, to get a LinuxCNC simulation version for G-code development.
It failed when I tried to use the package installer to install linuxcnc-uspace-dev_2.8.0-pre1_amd64.deb with the message:
Error: Dependency is not satisfiable: linuxcnc-uspace (=1:2.8.0-pre1).

Is there a simulation only executable that can be directly installed as a usual program?
I don't care much about the version as it is for G-code development only. Nor about the building clutter left behind on my laptop.

Elco

Sorry, posted to the wrong topic. (too many tabs open at once.)

That works. Thanks!

I tried this source of debian stretch
( linuxconfig.org/debian-apt-get-stretch-sources-list )
but get the following error when attempting to update the repository
GPG error: security.debian.org stretch/updates InRelease: The following signatures couldn't be verified because the public key is not available: NO_PUBKEY 9D6D8F6BC857C906 NO_PUBKEY AA8E81B4331F7F50The repository 'security.debian.org stretch/updates InRelease' is not signed.
This is essentially the same error as I previously received when using the mirror.
Do you have any suggestion as to how I might proceed?
The computer is running Linux Mint 19.1 (Tara).

Thanks I will read the debian thread you have posted although I have since reformatted my machine then used the Linuxcnc on Linux Mint 19.1 quick and easy installation thread to install the kona-RT kernel on Mint 19.3.
It does not read G-code correctly but is sufficient for me to write some user documentation material for training purposes.

If I generate a gcode file for a job LinuxCNC reports errors in the gcode file that it cannot resolve to display in Axis GUI - the same file brought into LinuxCNC 2.7.4 running on Debian Wheezy (yes its an old machine) displays happily in Axis and runs.
The problem may be that I have installed this on my home machine which is using Linux MINT 19.3 - that pc is not connected to cnc hardware as I only require to run LinuxCNC to capture screenshots to write instructions for new users of our actual CNC machine which is located a few kilometres from my home.