Ubuntu carves niche in Linux landscape

Iria · Sep 30, 2005, 03:12 PM

It's not easy building a new version of Linux and establishing a large following. But with the Ubuntu project, one team of programmers has managed to do just that.

The fact that at least 386 versions of Linux are available shows just how many want to launch their own "distributions"--Linux combined with other open-source software into a full-fledged operating system product. But the fact that few people are familiar with distributions from anyone besides Red Hat, Suse and Debian is a testament to how hard it is to be successful.

Ubuntu began less than two years ago. It's the brainchild of Mark Shuttleworth, who in the last 10 years also founded security firm Thawte Consulting, sold it to Verisign for $575 million, and rode a Russian rocket to spend eight days in orbit at the International Space Station.

Ubuntu is an offshoot of Debian. It began with an emphasis on easy-to-use PCs, but there's also a server version. Development comes from volunteers and those funded by Shuttleworth's 50-person start-up, Canonical, and the Ubuntu Foundation, which Shuttleworth launched with a $10 million donation. The founder's influence is strong--developers refer to him as SABDFL, short for self-appointed benevolent dictator for life.
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Read More / Source: News.com

Sep 30, 2005, 03:12 PM	#1
Iria DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,275 Rep Power: 89	Ubuntu carves niche in Linux landscape It's not easy building a new version of Linux and establishing a large following. But with the Ubuntu project, one team of programmers has managed to do just that. The fact that at least 386 versions of Linux are available shows just how many want to launch their own "distributions"--Linux combined with other open-source software into a full-fledged operating system product. But the fact that few people are familiar with distributions from anyone besides Red Hat, Suse and Debian is a testament to how hard it is to be successful. Ubuntu began less than two years ago. It's the brainchild of Mark Shuttleworth, who in the last 10 years also founded security firm Thawte Consulting, sold it to Verisign for $575 million, and rode a Russian rocket to spend eight days in orbit at the International Space Station. Ubuntu is an offshoot of Debian. It began with an emphasis on easy-to-use PCs, but there's also a server version. Development comes from volunteers and those funded by Shuttleworth's 50-person start-up, Canonical, and the Ubuntu Foundation, which Shuttleworth launched with a $10 million donation. The founder's influence is strong--developers refer to him as SABDFL, short for self-appointed benevolent dictator for life. __________ Read More / Source: News.com