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These are all based on the same few base distributions, and they are simply easy-to-install variations meant for different specific purposes.

Why shouldn't people have the choice of these distributions, and more, if they are found to be useful?

Well, there's for example a dozen distros all aimed for desktop use. Ie. they all cater to the same thing, yet there still exists so many of them. And worse, a billion *buntu versions.

I personally think it'd be better to have the base distro only, ie. Ubuntu, and copy the meta-package system from Mandriva; you'd just install Ubuntu, then install task-education and POOF! You'd have all the needed education apps installed for example. Then to polish the thing you could just include a menu-item which then presents the available metapackages, explains them and their meaning, and allows you to easily install them with one click. This'd allow for more unity as there'd only be one Ubuntu, there wouldn't be a need to maintain so many different spin-offs and the devs could instead focus on their respective meta-package, and it'd be simpler for end-users. Well, atleast I think that'd be a good route to take.

So what you're saying is...have a small and stable base distribution. Then have task-whatever to install KDE or Gnome or e17 or LXDE, etc.?

Boy, wouldn't it be great if this existed and had the Mandriva Control Center?

Wait a second...it does exist Unity Linux is Mandriva based and a core distribution aiming to be with 'just enough graphics' on first boot. It uses Smart for package management and then you just install task-whateveryouwant to get where you need to go. The devs there are ready for the fork as well and won't skip a beat. http://unity-linux.org

You did not refute anything, you posted a bunch of numbers in response to a post that was never about numbers to begin with. Again, learn to hyperbole.

You did not refute anything, you posted a bunch of numbers in response to a post that was never about numbers to begin with. Again, learn to hyperbole. "

You need to get off your high horse. The OP was indeed using hyperbole to try to make a point, but nevertheless the underlying point was wrong. Trying to be clever with wild exaggeration (hyperbole) shouldn't be allowed to become a vehicle via which it becomes possible to create an invalid impression.

Learn about the many techniques used to present false argumentation, and associated logical fallacies such as these (elements of which are present in the original post):

Style over substance fallacy
Bare assertion fallacy
Ad nauseam
Judgmental language
Appeal to tradition

and finally,
Proof by intimidation (which, BTW, is also what you are trying to do).

PS: I looked up the meaning of "refute" in the phrase "I refute it utterly". It transpires that the phrase does not mean what I had intended. I should have said "I dispute it utterly", so my apologies there. Mea culpa.

Edited 2010-09-20 13:59 UTC

Ahhh, the old "I reject your reality and substitute my own" argument. Is it really better if you have to learn the name of the distro with your app, rather than the name of the app? What if you need to do math and multimedia? Do you dual boot?

What are the different use cases this fork came about for? Those who need an established floundering general purpose distro stay with Mandriva, and those who want a floundering general purpose startup go with Megia? Nice.

I think you would have been better of with a simple "I disagree."

Yep. Distros and forks are made just because no one can prevent them, it's the nature of the open source beast. That doesn't sound nearly as planned and intellectual as "made to cover every possible use case", though