Comment 12 for bug 274421

For your ATI/Compiz bug I'd report a new one, or try to find someone else that's already reported it.
I can say that Intrepid does have a lot of bug fixes from hardy, so yes, some will magically disappear, some may remain, and those you need to report so that the developers can fix them.

As for upgrading, personally I like to update via update-manager, but I also order a CD so that I can reinstall at any time (Which tends to happen a lot when you use the testing versions).

The best way to learn (linux) is to fiddle with things, break them, then find out how to fix them. ;)