Posted on Wednesday 13th of September 2006 at 04:51 in Linux

Are you Kane to Ubuntu's Abel?

An interesting feeling seems to be breeding within the Linux community, with users of other distros looking at Ubuntu with envious eyes. Why does it receive all the publicity? Why does it get all the new users? Even this article may raise blood pressure levels by mentioning Ubuntu. But why?

Frequently I read submissions on Digg or topics on Linux sites and there seems to be an occasional yet powerful distaste for the popularity Ubuntu is mounting. True enough, the feeling is easy to understand - a relatively fresh faced introduction is now building momentum faster than it's neighbours. Surely any progress is good for the community?

Apparently not.

I appreciate the feeling when you love something you feel is under-appreciated, but progress IS progress. Just because Ubuntu is gaining popular support doesn't mean people stop caring about the alternatives. Just because Ubuntu features in the news and in articles a lot doesn't mean that either: it's a popular, fast moving package - public interest is proportional to the material that is published.

It's just a shame some passionate users feel this way, because Ubuntu is doing wonders for the community and deserves some respect for how it is helping to generate more followers. Whether it is the best distro ever is not the point, it's popular.

So try and be happy for your sibling - it's stretching it's wings and helping to bring more worms to the table. Rest your green eyes, progress for one is progress for all. Right?

 

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