From the “Is Debian’s failure Ubuntu’s Linux success?” files:
This week’s Jaunty Jackalope release was Ubuntu’s 10th release and the 9th release that I’ve used myself. I first became aware of Ubuntu in 2005 with the ‘Hoary Hedgehog’ release for only one reason, Debian Sarge was AWOL.
Debian is the basis for Ubuntu, but in some ways you can argue that Ubuntu has at this point, exceeded Debian. The great ‘failure’ of Debian is also it’s great strength. Debian hasn’t been able to put out releases in a regularly scheduled format in years — something developers will commonly attribute to not making a release until it’s ready.
While Debian has struggled on release dates (getting better lately), Ubuntu comes out with its releases like clockwork.
Though Debian has been tremendous strides since Sarge with its desktop installation, Ubuntu has become one of the most popular Linux distribution for the desktop, period…