[OT] Gnome3 Desktop For Ubuntu?

[Graham Todd]

I've been googling around to try and find out if Ubuntu is to have
Gnome3 in due course, and what I have found seems to suggest that the
Unity desktop that comes with Natty is only an interim development and
that in due course we are to have the Gnome desktop if not Gnome3 with
Ubuntu.

Can anyone conclusively say one way or the other which direction Ubuntu
is to go in?

I am asking this because I have been using Gnome3 and I quite like it
but it has got one or two "wrinkles" that need learning if you're used
to the Gnome2 desktop interface.

Since the future for Gnome is clearly in the development from the Gnome2
desktop, we can count on that being around only for a short period
(unless some brave distro holds on to the Gnome2 desktop and has its
repositories filled with Gnome2 legacy applications).  So to avoid
learning a brand new system at the time I am cramming to take my Degree
examinations, I'd like to start learning Gnome3 early on.

Of course, I know I can use Fedora or one of the other Red Hat
derivatives, but I dislike using the rpm packaging system and I prefer
using the .deb packages.  This was the clinching reason I started using
Ubuntu in the first place (also Debian hasn't yet managed to get a
simplified graphical installer up to Ubuntu's standard).  However, I
could use Debian's Live CDs on one of my other computers until Gnome3
becomes more mature, but what I really want is an assurance at least
that Ubuntu will include Gnome3 as its desktop.

If not, then the introduction of the Unity desktop as its desktop will
make me run screaming from Ubuntu.  I'd rather know now what's in store
in the future if I stay with Ubuntu.

Can anybody help me?

-- 
Graham