Ubuntu is not Debian?

[Senectus .]

I'm getting the impression that Ubuntu is not Debian, and therefore
you can't/shouldn't try to use packages from their repository.. would
that be correct?
If so.. Why do that?
Doesn't it make more sense to try and keep some sort of standard?



-- 
" So let us then try to climb the mountain, not by stepping on what is
below us, but to pull us up at what is above us, for my part at the
stars; amen"
- M.C.Escher