Ubuntu is under attack

[Graham]

On Sunday 18 December 2005 13:55, Michael P. Soulier wrote:

> I think we need a section in the Ubuntu Wiki. Here is what you should
> install, after the bare-bones install that you're provided on the CD.
> How about, HowToMakeUbuntuNotSuck.

Well, perhaps a loaded title, but not a bad idea, though why the CD 
can't come with a bare-bones KDE setup as well defeats me.  Ubuntu must 
be the only major distro not to do it.  Yes, I know you can do it by 
installing kubuntu-desktop, but KDE is not a minor suite, and like 
other distros, it should be at bootup as standard.

> Perhaps an expert mode in the installer would help too, that pulls in
> a lot of packages that Linux users with experience might want. 

I'm not sure if its covered by the GPL, but Libranet has a built-in 
application called Adminmenu, which does just this.  I'm not sure if 
Libranet will continue but there are noises on the Libranet users list 
about finding other financial backers, so perhaps Ubuntu/Kubuntu could 
come together with Libranet to provide this.  As a long-time Libranet 
user, I have found Adminmenu invaluable: it even helps you compile your 
own kernel!

The problem is (as I understand it), Ubuntu does NOT provide an 
interface with pure Debian packages.  Some work and others do not.  If 
the system was compatible with 100% pure Debian packages, there would 
be no problem with choice, and if Debian provided as good an installer 
as Ubuntu, there would be no need for Ubuntu as a stand-alone distro.  
We could all join forces around debian.org.

> Oh, 
> wait, that's another option, and hence a choice. Can't have that. It
> might confuse people.

Well, Debian was founded on the basis of a standard that could be 
applied to all packages (stable, testing, unstable).  There is already 
choice: the Debian's site boasts 15490 packages in it repositories, so 
all it takes is to make Ubuntu/Kubuntu accessible to all of those.
-- 

Graham