Why does gNewSense build upon Ubuntu and not Debian?
Isn't Ubuntu itself build from Debian?
Ubuntu is a non-free distribution of the modified GNU system; GNU/Linux. ergo, Ubuntu GNU/Linux or Debian GNU/Linux, etc. The same applies to them all, gNewSense, Fedora, etc. They are _all_ GNU/Linux. What you probably want to know is what a distribution is? Well, it's simply a particular software configuration generally having a package-management-system. gNewSense exploits Ubuntu's Long-Term-Support. This means the fruits of taking the time to rid non-free Ubuntu makes for a strategically sensible distribution. Ubuntu has been cooperative in some ways and that is a good thing. I am not a developer for gNS so please don't interpret my opinions here as definitive in regards to gNS. --Shalom.
arc — 29 September 2008, 08:41
Maybe I understood what torusJKL is trying to say.
My personal opinion: the reason about building upon Ubuntu instead of Debian is that Ubuntu became far more popular than Debian to non-geeks.
So switching from Ubuntu to gNewSense is far more easier than switching from Debian *for a non-geek*.
I had this similar conversation with Dean some time ago. If not on this forum then on some other forum that both he & I are both on. IIRC, the reason that Ubuntu was picked as to debian, was more do to the fact that those who started gNewSense were all ready working on stripping out the propitiatory "blobs" from the kernel that was on offer from Ubuntu. More or less, just luck of the draw.
Cheers
Teague
ps - My personal opinion, had debian been chosen, the FSF would not have given it's nod.
torusJKL could always simply inquire of the actual founders if it matters that much to him. i was more concerned about addressing his understanding of different gnu/linux distributions. --shalom.
Bro': "propitiatory "blobs"" ;;; heh. great w0rd-play. (:
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