Server messaging issues

On Fri, Oct 21, 2005 at 08:26:27AM +0200, Jeff Waugh wrote:
> Hey,
> 
> I've just had a final straw experience, with yet another person asking about
> the 'Ubuntu Server' CD, assuming it's functionally different from 'Ubuntu'
> in general (it is not - the server CD just has a different selection of
> packages on it, and does a minimal install by default).
> 
> We made a number of messaging choices early on in Ubuntu's life, mostly on
> purpose, that have pretty strongly painted us into the 'desktop' corner. The
> 'Ubuntu Server' CD is another effort to address the misunderstandings that
> this messaging has resulted in, but it creates some complications of its
> own. The most obvious one - even without a separate project brand name such
> as 'serverbuntu' or something like that - is that people already see 'Ubuntu
> Server' as quite a different beast...

I don't think this is just restricted to the Server version, this
extends to kubuntu, xubuntu, etc, people consider it 'different', when
it isn't particularly.

Trent

> Something I've heard a few times now: "Oh man, I just installed a my server
> with the Ubuntu CD, and you guys just released a server version, now I'll
> have to install that!" 
> 
> So, I tend to think we need to strongly link 'Ubuntu' and its applicability
> as a server so this kind of confusion doesn't set in. Here's my suggestion:
> We should always list the server CD as a 'flavour' of the official Ubuntu CD
> set, much like the LiveCD. For example:
> 
>  * Ubuntu 5.10
>  
>    - Desktop Installation CD -> a complete desktop environment with all the
>      applications you'd expect... and more! Includes a full office suite,
>      web browser, email and groupware client and even a few simple games.
>      
>    - Desktop Live CD -> a 'live' demonstration version of the Ubuntu desktop
>      that you can safely run on your computer without changing your existing
>      operating system. A great way to show off Ubuntu to your friends!
>    
>    - Server Installation CD -> built specifically for server administrators,
>      this modified CD installs a minimal Ubuntu server system and includes
>      installable packages for many popular Open Source server tools such as
>      Apache, MySQL, PostgreSQL, etc.
> 
> That way, hopefully, our users don't think it's a totally new thing!
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> - Jeff
> 
> -- 
> UbuntuBelowZero in Montreal!          http://wiki.ubuntu.com/UbuntuBelowZero
>  
>    "This is the new dividing line in public life. It is not a question of
>     Left versus Right, but a struggle between insiders and outsiders." -
>                                 Mark Latham
> 
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-- 
Trent Lloyd <lathiat at bur.st>
Bur.st Networking Inc.