The Linux Distillery, SlashDot and the Ubuntu test

David M Williams
Sunday, 18 November 2007 17:13

Opinion and Analysis

Here’s what I’m getting to: the SlashDot readers made me think. Ubuntu is well-regarded as the most popular variant of Linux today. So, I’ve coined a term, “the Ubuntu test.” From now on, when I talk about software tools or commands, I’m going to check that every single command or line of code applies to Ubuntu.

At the same time, I don’t want other Linux users to miss out: I hold to a fairly abstract view of Linux which I want to promote. I think I’m right – of course – and I think this view can help Linux users understand their OS better and extract more out of it.

This view is fairly simplistic. The way I see things is generic: any Linux distribution has, at its heart, the one and the same Linux kernel. There’s no differentiation there. Next, any Linux distribution has a suite of software, which is mostly from the GNU project, and which includes a window manager. What is bundled with a distro will vary, but except for anything which has been specifically supplied by the distro vendor, this software is largely Linux-generic. If it can be downloaded for one variant of Linux then it can be downloaded for any other. Thirdly, a Linux distro contains a package deployment system which is the key to sucking down pre-provided content. It’s these last two items which define any particular distribution.

Actually, one of the greatest things about Linux is that there is such a rich suite of software for it and it can all be had with little effort. So it seems mysterious to me that anybody would be happy to see a useful tool and then say the article sucks just because that tool doesn’t come naturally with your distro of choice. When it comes to Linux, the truth is you can have it all.

Thus, in practical terms, anything that can be done in one variant of Linux applies equally to any other. Perhaps a few flags might differ; perhaps a path may be distinct, but fundamentally, and conceptually, Linux is Linux.

So, from here on in, the Ubuntu test will apply – but at the same time, I’ll be constantly trying to stress the point that a person’s choice of distribution should not ever be viewed as restricting their freedom – whether the extent of software they can have, or their ability to innovate using available tools.

This is the Linux Distillery! Thanks for having me, and thanks for reading my stories. I look forward to making this blog much more personal and much more interactive. Let’s have some fun along the way and share some Linux adventures together. Tell me the things you’d like to see covered, and remember to drop by every Monday and Thursday. All the best!