Ubuntu: "We have no plans to fork GNOME" (derStandard.at)

Then explain why Ubuntu has become so popular. I think it's exactly because they spend time thinking and working on packaging. That ranges from a recognizable brand to an easy installer to a nicely-configured desktop to a good set of default-software to "everything just works". For the average GNU/linux user, that work has been very important in getting GNU/linux accepted, understandable and usable. And it's a huge job done well, too. That value seems to be largely ignored in this discussion, which is a pity I think, as it's the one area where other linux projects/distributions DO get return value from Ubuntu. (or at least, they could, if they're open to it).

There seems to be a general opinion that ubuntu should be responsible, which in this case translates to asking gnome for permission before changing parts of gnome. Although that would be the nicest, I can certainly understand that from a company point of view that's a fairly hard policy to work with, especially if things get turned down after first submission. Granted, that shouldn't be a reason to give up, but you can also turn the argument around: shouldn't Gnome be a bit more forthcoming and ask Ubuntu what they could do to accommodate development, changes and customization? I think GNOME as well as other distributions should see if they can't gain/take/learn more from Ubuntu. GNOME certainly wasn't harmed by being the default desktop choice for such a popular distribution.

I don't think it's reasonable to expect from Canonical to stick purely with mainline GNOME (most people probably agree) - customizations are one of the very few ways to get their brand to stand out from the crowd, and they've done a good job at that so far. If Canonical is to have a real chance at becoming more or less sustainable with their Ubuntu related work, I don't think they should be denied options to add custom developments at their own time schedule. If they decide to keep it that way long-term, that may indeed be a problem, but it's _their_ problem. A somewhat more forthcoming stance from Gnome might help matters, and if it doesn't - just don't support Ubuntu. They'll feel the pain if they deviate from GNOME too far and need to maintain a split code base.

I think Ubuntu deserves more credit than they're getting here - the fact that they've grown so much and created such a popular distribution, so nice and easy to use, is proof that the work they do is worthwhile. I absolutely hope that the relation between Canonical/Ubuntu and gnome stays good, open and bi-directional, but I think the solution is in approaching them, not bashing them.