Is Ubuntu really Debian based? [LWN.net]

Is Ubuntu really Debian based?

Posted Nov 22, 2005 18:06 UTC (Tue) by ninjaz (guest, #2083)
In reply to: Is Ubuntu really Debian based? by rvfh
Parent article: Ubuntu releases Flight CD 1

I think Ubuntu is doing well to keep their own repositories to match their 6 month release cycles. Since Debian's release cycles have been long and unpredictable, I think it would defeat the purpose of Ubuntu to directly track Debian packages.

The main reason I can see for not tracking Debian for base is kernel and glibc updates. This would lock users out of updated hardware drivers and as I see it, would be a loss for Ubuntu rather than a gain. Eg., when I used Debian, I often faced the situation where I would have to install newer versions of core software by hand to gain hardware support, which essentially destroys the value proposition of a Linux distribution (especially one like Debian which is valued for its level of integration and dependency tracking).

FWIW, I haven't tried Ubuntu yet, but it's looking more and more attractive, especially with the promotion of Kubuntu to first-class project.

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