Proposal for solving CD Size problems

[Joel Bryan Juliano]

On 9/27/06, Scott James Remnant <scott at ubuntu.com> wrote:
>
> Firstly note that this is just a proposal that I am making, it isn't
> something that's been pre-decided and those who will ultimately make
> this decision may not agree with me at all!
>
>
> My proposal is this:
>
>   - For edgy+1, make the default distribution medium a DVD, not a CD.
>
>   - The DVD would be the current desktop CD, but with more room for all
>     the other pieces that we would like to ship.
>
>   - An additional DVD image with the remaining space taken up by
>     language packs and other packages from main could also be made
>     available.
>
>   - The "alternate" disk would remain a CD, and would prompt the user
>     for the tasks they would like to install.  If would not contain the
>     complete ubuntu-desktop selection, if they wanted that, they would
>     need an Internet connection to install the rest.
>
>
> Rationale:
>
>   - A CD is not large enough for the kinds of things we want to ship by
>     default already
>
>   - More features in future releases (such as telepathy, compiz, etc.)
>     mean more space required
>
>   - Recommended hardware[0] has now reached the point where we can
>     expect a DVD drive to be available
>
>   - Recommended hardware also has significantly more available disk
>     space for the operating system than breezy, yet we don't take
>     advantage of this for edgy
>
>   - Users with existing installs and no DVD drive can upgrade using the
>     Internet as usual
>
>   - Users installing on older hardware and unwilling to upgrade won't
>     want (or be able to use) may of the new features.  They would be
>     content with the cut-down "alternate" disk or with the supported
>     dapper release.
>
>   - Vista and Mac OS X are distributed on DVD.
>
>   - The server, edubuntu and Xubuntu derivatives may opt to still
>     distribute on a CD, and still deal with the CD sizing pain
>
>
> Arguments Against:
>
>   - Increased download size for those wishing to burn their own.
>
>     A downloadable DVD image without language packs and "stuff from the
>     archive" (just the Live image and installer) should negate part of
>     this.
>
>     The additional download cost otherwise will be things that the user
>     will probably want to install anyway
>
>   - Requires a DVD writer, which isn't yet entry-level.  The alternate
>     CD would still be available for those with a CD burner.
>
>   - Increased shipit cost; DVDs cost more to make than CDs?
>
>
> Alternatives:
>
>   - Remove existing features (OpenOffice?) from Ubuntu
>
>   - Stop putting new features into Ubuntu
>
>   - Localised CDs (only one set of language support)
>
>   - Two CD distribution ("Please insert Disc 2" during Live boot/?!)
>
>
> Discuss.
>
> Scott
>
> [0] https://wiki.ubuntu.com/RecommendedHardwareMetric
> --
> Scott James Remnant
> scott at ubuntu.com



1. How about regional language packaging, i.e. asia, europe and americas.
Language packs are huge, all >100MB, why not just download it if it's
needed.

2. Fonts on specific language are also huge > 60MB per font.

3. Linux Headers, Build Essentials, these are the things we don't see on the
desktop, and including those for the purpose of compiling, will most of the
time end-up invoking the command "sudo apt-get install ....", why not just
download it if it's needed.

4. IMHO, Banshee has built-in functionality of Sound Juicer, and Serpentine.
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