It’s obvious (IMHO) that Ubuntu will stay with us. It’s “the distro” for so many users and even if they would move to business_only_mode I am sure Ubuntu would still be here for desktop users. Maybe named different.
I could still use it but have decided not to. I still recommend it to anyone who is trying Linux (and Mint).
Interesting, we are talking about emotions in relation to things, and the forum member @Ernest gave a good example of Imprinting.
Maybe that’s why…
For my part, I like Ubuntu as much as I like Windows 11. If they cease to exist, I will use another Operating System.
I confess that for me it is simple, because I only need a little.
I won’t disagree with you because I have no knowledge of the Canonical business model. If you like Ubuntu, use it. If not, don’t. I’m not telling anyone what they should do. I’m just telling everyone what I do. It’s not up to me to decide what others should choose. That’s a decision for each of us, individually, should make for ourselves. I think I’ve said enough here. I’m done . . .
Ernie
You’re also telling everyone why you do what you do and this “why” is a perfect example of unreasonable bias against Ubuntu based on lack of knowledge about Canonical’s business model and the role of community in Ubuntu flavours development. And on a story about Ubuntu being doomed because of Mandrake/Mandriva fiasco (where is the connection?).
I don’t use Ubuntu, but come on. It’s possibly the most important distro in history, still works great and the fact that so many developers have decided to base their projects on it should tell us something.
I once used Ubuntu. I have never seen such a poor choice of theme and screen organization. I almost ripped my eyes out (well, that’s a bit of an exaggeration). On top of that, updates took forever.
I had a hard time getting stuff done in Ubuntu; I guess I’m used too much to how Windows USED to organize things (task bar at the bottom, start menu in the bottom left, etc.).
I got my current computer and it came with Windows 11. That OS is waaaay worse than Ubuntu; an unworkable interface, ads which appear as real stuff, AI encroachment, mysterious bugs, having to live in a straitjacket, and the OS occupying gigabytes of space.
Put Linux Mint (an Ubuntu derivative) opposite of those two and it becomes obvious why I went there. Updates are a breeze, a sane default look and feel, no mysterious problems, no built-in AI crap, and it happily works with me. While the OS is still big, the default install includes loads of useful stuff. I’m very happy with Linux Mint. It does what it should do and doesn’t get in my way.
As I’ve said already, I’ve said my say, and I’m done. You have your opinion, and you will never change mine, so lets agree to disagree . . .
Ernie
That is what I seem to sense when reading reports
Not really, but I think the effect which commercial goals have on software design is a more important reason.
The real strength is that there are many Linux distros. If there is a disaster in one, you can easily shift to an equivalent distro. There is only one Microsoft, only one Apple.
Ubuntu does not provide choice. There seems to be no Ubuntu-derived distro that is non-systemd. The closest would be Devuan, which is Debian-derived as is Ubuntu.
Visually it does offer choice with cinnamon, mate desktops. Also off spins in lubuntu, xbuntu etc.
Ok the behind the show may be the same but for the end user who just wants it to work on older machines, play games, do mail there is choice.
To be honest I would not know the difference between systemd, flatpak and the internal workings of linux if it bit me
We’re not having a private discussion. My goal is not necessarily to make you to change your opinion. It’s to show a different point of view, so other members can get some information, possibly learn something new or even take part in the discussion (siding with you or me).
And that’s a valid reason for not using Ubuntu. I don’t agree with you (I don’t mind systemd), but it’s an objective, technical argument that makes perfect sense. We could have a discussion about systemd in general, but it’s not what this topic is about.
Yes that is my main reason for avoiding Ubuntu ( and Debian, and Mint).
I dont try to force my non-systemd preference onto others.
I don’t use ubuntu (nothing against it) but do use a distro based on it.
What I found pretty good and safe/easy to use is ubuntu cleaner.
Maybe worth a look at for anyone using ubuntu or derived of distros.
Good instructions as to what it is and can do is better explained in this link.
Canonical giving back to open source.
We’ve committed to donating US$120,000 to open source developers over the next 12 months , transferred at $10,000 per month. The distribution of funds is determined by thanks.dev’s algorithm, which splits the money based on which dependencies are used by more projects.
That is a big plus for Canonical.
It helps developers… that is people who improve existing apps.
We also need inventors… that is people who create entirely new methods.
I use / have used - both - at home…
There’s nothing “corporatish” about Ubuntu desktop that I’ve found… I find it 100% compatible with home use…
Red Hat is usually far far behind Ubuntu when it comes to desktop - i.e. RHEL8 is still using Gnome 3x I think. Haven’t tried the DE on RHEL9 though…
Also - Fedora is just Red Hat, but unstable branch…
Why? I don’t really understand this… About the only thing in Fedora that I had issues with was having to install RPM-Fusion to get GPU drivers… I don’t really see it being that different to Ubuntu… I suppose Fedora SilverBlue is a bit more advanced…
I think Ubuntu make a separate server release.
So what they call ‘Desktop’ really is suitable for home user, but if you used the server release at home it might feel ‘corporate’.
I would regard snaps as a corporate product… it aims at containerised reliability.
Yeah - on the same schedule as the desktop and with the same “code name” like Ubuntu 24.04 - “noble numbat” - headless server and desktop versions… At the shell level there’s barely any difference between server and desktop - maybe a few things - like on a desktop you generally set the network / wifi up from the GUI - in server - it’s mostly done by “Netplan”…
That’s where Canonical make their money - yeah - server and services and support… and virtualization and container services…
I don’t know if they make money off desktops at all…
And - I don’t think they make a huge amount of money as it is… they downsized a few years back when they axed Unity Desktop, Ubuntu mobile and “MIR” (which was being developed inhouse to replace Xorg, i.e. a competitor for Wayland).
I dont think it matters to users if they make money.
It is more subtle than that… the design of apps and the quality of code are what makes great software.
I think there is am impression ( maybe wrong in Canonical’s case) that corporate code is rushed and design is obsessed with boxing every function into immutable modules.
One thing I do know is that Snap packages are proprietary at Canonical’s end. Back when I used Peppermint OS the Ubuntu based version, we had nothing but people complaining they did not work and even to this day they don’t for me either, they are heavy by design, the security, if any I know nothing about, apart from the fact that they can be easily manipulated, without even knowing about it. When the first piece of malware got added to a Snap package, the writer of the app, was oblivious to the fact that malware had been added, or so he claimed at the time.
Here is what Google’s AI search bot thing has to say on the 2018 malware/ Cryptocurrency injection into Snap Package.
AI Overview
In May 2018, two snap-packaged applications were identified in the Snap Store that contained a cryptocurrency miner, running in the background during application execution. The malicious code was initially missed by the Snap Store’s automated testing and malware scan process, though the Snap Store did have safety measures in place. Upon discovery, Canonical, the developers of the Snap Store, removed the applications and transferred ownership to a trusted third party, who then republished the Snaps without the malicious code.
The incident highlighted the importance of user vigilance and the need for continuous improvement in the Snap Store’s security measures. While the Snap Store uses a sandbox to limit the impact of malicious code, it doesn’t guarantee complete protection, and users should exercise caution when installing applications from less trusted publishers.
Canonical has since implemented features like publisher verification to help users identify trusted publishers, and continues to work on improving the security of the Snap Store, including encoding new interfaces and upstreaming AppArmor kernel patches.
@berninghausen
And why do you consider Windows or Apple users being deceived? Simply, because the user may rather pay for something that works, or use Linux, in the hope, that it will work. Yes, I use Windows 11, and I have yet to find any Linux that can or will replace Windows 11.
As for being decieved, all Linux users fall into that category!!!
I have yet to find a software tool that does not work … ok I replace ms office with libre office, outlook with thunderbird, but vlc, google chrome, firefox all work fine.
Many of my windows clients now use the free libre office instead of ms office because of cost.
Perhaps if you have special apps such as photoshop that does not work (although my version does under wine) then you replace with gimp.
Alternatives exist in most cases