ET TU UBUNTU
Ubuntu is the easy go-to for people new to Linux. It’s made a few contentious moves but nothing that blew it up in a ‘RedHat II’ way.
It is widely acknowledged that Ubuntu was going to IPO at some point. That means that everything that can generate revenue is getting squeezed. To end users or small shops, this comes in the form of Ubuntu Pro.
It never bothered me as it was optional until now. Last week, I did the desktop GUI update and apart from the standard items, there was a whole new section of Available Updates. Ubuntu is now on the naughty step – all these items were Ubuntu Pro. I had all the Ubuntu Pro items turned off. It may be me, but I’ve never seen this before and to my mind, this is beyond the pale.
Is this some scheme to get more users on to Ubuntu Pro for ‘IPO reasons’? It’s deceptive and for that reason I will no longer recommend Ubuntu as an easy alternative. Ubuntu: the Microsoft of the Linux world.
In other news, the makers of Raspberry Pi are looking to IPO. I am torn on this as an English guy, as it is one of ever fewer success stories. I think they’ll do well as they have the best coherent offering, user base, support and documentation, especially compared to Chinese no-name boards, riddled with questionable practices, toolsets and files.
On the flip side, we have seen them already prioritise business over end users, and while the injection of money will help do new things, it will, without doubt, lead to a lesser, more moneyfocused-at-all-costs offering. Hopefully, I’ll be proven wrong.