Linked by Eugenia Loli-Queru on Thu 16th Sep 2004 00:28 UTC
The Debian-based Ubuntu Linux was unveiled today and a preview release is available for download. Ubuntu uses Gnome 2.8, kernel 2.6.8.1, OOo 1.1.2 and comes with a text-based, but dead-easy, installation procedure. Ubuntu has disabled the root user (sudo is used, same way as OSX does it) and it endorses the "less is more" philosophy. There are still bugs on the preview release, but the team welcomes feedback via their mailing list. Read more for an interview with team member Jeff Waugh (also of Debian and Gnome fame). Screenshots also included, and more are here to be found.
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Why I won't be using this.
"Can I use both Ubuntu and Debian packages together, in the same sources.list?"
"In general, it's not a very good idea. While Debian and Ubuntu are compatible to a large degree, and share many of the same source packages, the binary packages are not identical due to having been built independently.
Thus, if Debian and Ubuntu package lists are mixed, there will be some packages which have the same version number, but are actually distinct. APT currently does not handle that situation elegantly, and unexpected behaviour may occur."
So basically the biggest strength of Debian is lost? This is why distros like Lindows, Xandros etc won't ever be huge because your stuck with a tiny subset of packages and can't tap into Debian's vast repository.
I looked at the package list and right off the bat thought of half a dozen apps that I use and need but now can't install because I can't mix packages. Without being able to access Debian repositories am I supposed to a) hope someone official dos it for me? or b) try to figure out how to compile everything from source? *shudders*
At first having no idea who you people were I didn't give this project much thought. But then the more I researched the more excited I got seeing who was involved and the goals of the project. Frankly I couldn't wait to download it. Then I got to that FAQ question and stopped my download. Duplicating the Debian repositories for a "one-off" doesn't seem like a smart idea and being stuck with only a limited set of programs I can't add onto without breaking things doesn't work very well for me.
Anyway that's the way it appears to be. If I'm mistaken and you will actually be able to install official Debian packages then let me know.