Ubuntu and Debian
OfflineUbuntu GNU/Linux has quickly become the most popular GNU/Linux distribution of the time and is now pushing the boundaries of overall GNU/Linux adoption throughout the world. Why? Well, for one, it is a great desktop and user friendly distro that for alot of people actually works out of the box, feels good and runs fast. Installation isn't much or at all harder than one of Windows XP for example (which doesn't actually have graphical installation all the way either). However, another reason is all the money that has been put behind it. It was also something that allowed for free shipped CD's all over the world, something you could almost call a phenomenon since you'd rarely see it being done like that. I got 10 2CD packs of Ubuntu Hoary myself. I remember being absolutely amazed with the fact it actually got here..
Ubuntu philosophy is also one to commend and one that surely catches the spirits of many people who discovered GNU/Linux with Ubuntu. Humanity to others, cooperation and freedom is what this distro propagates.
However, Ubuntu is based on Debian GNU/Linux, an old, big and rock solid distribution which logically shares alot with Ubuntu, including the philosophy. Debian being probably one of the biggest distros around (both in number of packages (and CD's) and in its influence) is one distro that keeps at using the term "GNU/Linux" instead of just GNU/Linux, thus respecting the freedom goals as well as crucialness of GNU project for the whole GNU/Linux existence and success. It is also a distro which separates Free Software from proprietary and works on promoting freedom.
Now, what I wanted to discuss is the relation between these two great distros, especially the one related to the rumors of Ubuntu packages not being fully compatible with Debian packs and vice versa. Now, if that is true it would mean that Ubuntu isn't really readily giving back to its own base. Creating incompatibilities of any kind causes trouble for everyone. You can't safely use Debian repositories on Ubuntu nor can you use Ubuntu repositories in Debian. And I hear the issue doesn't exist with any other Debian based distribution except Ubuntu. If true, this is one thing that I actually hold against Ubuntu as well as one thing that makes me more willing to use Debian and enjoy the vast number of compatible real debian packages than to use Ubuntu and be locked into Ubuntu repositories in fear that I don't install a debian package that'll mess up my system. However, it can be worse than that, as Ubuntu grows, there's gonna be lots of Ubuntu packages around which poses a threat to even the clean Debian users that they'll install an Ubuntu package and mess up their Debian system. Surely, this issue is not a good thing and in itself sounds like nonsense.
So, what's your take on it. Have you had experiences with the problem, can you confirm it and what is your general opinion about it?
Thank you
Daniel
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well to my experience, some GUI applications compiled under Ubuntu is incompatiable with Debian. It says an .so file (maybe libxineama.so.1) is missing. It isn't a problem for me though as I can compile the source code and make Debian packages, but this is a little difficult for beginners.
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Daniel,
you speak my language. Your doubts is what I've been trying to investigate for months!
I think (personal opinion only, but I'm expecting flames) that Ubuntu, or the management of Ubuntu foundation/company is looking to fork, or to get in control of Debian. I realize how serious my words are, but although I can't prove anything, it is something that I highly suspect. If you wish I can write an article about the clues/opinions and press reviews I've collected on this topic.
(And yes, there is a relative incompatibility between debian and ubuntu).
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I can't say I'm really sure about how exactly big and common these suspicions about Ubuntu are which basically means I might not be fully aware of all things regarding this and frankly, talking about this like that makes me feel a bit like speculating.
The thing is that the whole Ubuntu project generally looks very good and appealing from almost whichever point of view you look at it. Even this packages incompatibility could be justified by some possible advantages it may provide for Ubuntu.
However, if you have suspicions and if there are others like you then I would certainly like to hear all the arguments, what's more, it may be put out like a healthy criticism. So i think an article wouldn't be such a bad idea actually. If there is nothing in it, then everyone will know and the eventual reaction to the article should clear things up, otherwise some things may come to be seen.. It's better to come clean and clear it up then just spread it like a quite rumor I guess. :-)
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