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This. At least with Ubuntu, there is a large enough user base that there is software available for it that is tested and actually works (conveniently available

by wes-exp 15y ago

This. At least with Ubuntu, there is a large enough user base that there is software available for it that is tested and actually works (conveniently available as a binary .deb). Also, bugs tend to be identified and fixed, again due to the size of the community. If you run into a problem, often times there is already a forum post somewhere with a solution. If developers are to use an obscure "power user" distribution, it throws out all the benefits of community. Perhaps what's needed is a "Devbuntu" that relies on most of the same components as Ubuntu, but targets power users.

jiggy2011 15y ago
I don't think this would solve the problem. Devbuntu would basically just be kubuntu or xbuntu. If Ubuntu wants to target less technical users it needs to make itself a compelling platform for them which means resolving almost all of the niggling issues and an influx of end user apps, in other words a miracle.. What would be more useful is a more sophisticated UI that can be scaled back by default but have lots of custom options to enable depending on taste. Gnome2 provided this quite well, but I fear that it will be no longer maintained in some silly attempt to poorly imitate other platforms. If you want uber-simple Linux then what is wrong with android?
vacri 15y ago
Obscure distributions? Source tarballs? What are you two on about? Debian, Ubuntu's daddy, is the creator of the apt system. You'd be insane to say it's not a distribution for power users. Then there's other major distros with large user bases. Don't blame Ubuntu if you've never looked beyond its borders. Perhaps what's needed is a "Devbuntu" that relies on most of the same components as Ubuntu, but targets power users. Just use Debian.
- jiggy2011 15y ago
  I've used debian for years. I hate that it makes you choose between stable/testing/unstable. Whenever I install I always start with stable , because who wouldn't want "stable" right? The I realise all the software is hopelessly out of date so I slowly end up creeping forward to testing or unstable, that's when problems begin. At least Ubuntu fixed this somewhat with 6 month releases and LTS.

by wes-exp 15y ago

jiggy2011 15y ago

I don't think this would solve the problem. Devbuntu would basically just be kubuntu or xbuntu. If Ubuntu wants to target less technical users it needs to make itself a compelling platform for them which means resolving almost all of the niggling issues and an influx of end user apps, in other words a miracle.. What would be more useful is a more sophisticated UI that can be scaled back by default but have lots of custom options to enable depending on taste. Gnome2 provided this quite well, but I fear that it will be no longer maintained in some silly attempt to poorly imitate other platforms. If you want uber-simple Linux then what is wrong with android?

vacri 15y ago

Obscure distributions? Source tarballs? What are you two on about? Debian, Ubuntu's daddy, is the creator of the apt system. You'd be insane to say it's not a distribution for power users. Then there's other major distros with large user bases. Don't blame Ubuntu if you've never looked beyond its borders. Perhaps what's needed is a "Devbuntu" that relies on most of the same components as Ubuntu, but targets power users. Just use Debian.

jiggy2011 15y ago
I've used debian for years. I hate that it makes you choose between stable/testing/unstable. Whenever I install I always start with stable , because who wouldn't want "stable" right? The I realise all the software is hopelessly out of date so I slowly end up creeping forward to testing or unstable, that's when problems begin. At least Ubuntu fixed this somewhat with 6 month releases and LTS.