Disappointed with Ubuntu Server, could be used by such a wider audience

[Dylan McCall]

This thread pokes quite nicely at the idea of an Ubuntu home server
metapackage to complement the rest of the desktop. I think this could be
a very edgy move if approached correctly.

First of all, I am amongst those who think this should have nothing to
do with Ubuntu Server.



Now that's out of the way, how about having both a desktop and a server
preconfigured to detect and talk with each other? For example, new
desktop users get logins set up on the server for all services at once
instead of needing to prod it with commands for six hours. The server
could handle remote calendars for Evolution (a concept which I have yet
to wrap my own head around), generic file storage. Maybe client side
scripts could automatically request that it download software to, for
example, seamlessly have Workrave integrated across all connected
computers. It could keep its IP known and continually update clients on
what it is, just in case Internet access is necessary, and keep track of
connected clients such that it knows certain accounts on various devices
to all associate with the same user account on itself. (I have a little
concept bumbling along for a sort of free, distributed mesh-like DNS
system that relies on trusted hosts - eg: Friends' devices. That would
be cool!)

As something aimed straight at the Ubuntu desktop, this could use Avahi
from top to bottom to expose services and be automatically configured by
scripts on clients. Maybe Nautilus could list another Place which for
the server's public files.
It would not be just 'vanilla Apache and PHP and MySQL for your web
development convenience.

I think that could be a pretty powerful thing. There is a lot of
software that needs repetitive configuration, a problem which could be
overcome by a server that complements Ubuntu and is entirely powered by
autodetection instead of needing convoluted guides and config files.



I mention that this could be edgy, because right now the non-free
competition are working really hard on their online services and big
screen media centres. This sort of thing for Ubuntu would be an
interesting shot back, encouraging the idea of individual users owning
single low-power servers like Linutop, hooked up to their routers
(perhaps placed right below them, or acting as routers themselves) to
centralize all that stuff. All the devices in one's possession are then
working on a convenient client-server model. In contrast to the
competition's centralization, this would be a single personal server
that can be trusted and that can be customized, has no subscription fees
and prevents the confusing dilution that occurs when one's identity
spreads over hundreds of competing online services, which is bound to
happen as long as we continue to use the current poorly integrated web
based applications.

Basically, I agree that there should be a project dedicated to a
pre-configured personal server system, because that would change the
entire world... but calling it Ubuntu Server would very much limit its
growing room.




Bye,
-Dylan


PS: Sorry about the illegible stream of consciousness writing. Hopefully
I have at least conveyed how exciting a dead easy one-click server that
integrates with Ubuntu Desktop would be.
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