Ubuntu
Is Driving Me Away struck some nerves yesterday, with 43
talkbacks and still going. The issue presented in the article seems
fairly simple: given the controversy surrounding Mono, some folks
feel that Mono and Mono applications should not be included on the
Ubuntu installation CD. There are other, better applications that
could be included, and that the pressure to include Mono by default
is not about its merits, but forcing Microsoft technologies and its
unholy embrace into Ubuntu.
Mono fans have been creating a giant ruckus in the Ubuntu
forums, and even here have made some fur fly, and have not bothered
to say why removing Mono from the Ubuntu installation CD and simply
including it in the standard repos is not acceptable. It will be
available for anyone who wants it, just like the majority of Ubuntu
packages. The inability of Mono fans to answer that simple question
has me a bit bothered, as though there is a deeper agenda.
Rather, the discussion here has been primarily about why Mono is
not a threat to Linux, after all it is GPL, and nobody should be
upset by it. As discussions tend to be fractured, wandering, and
emotional, I think that a calm presentation of why Mono is
desirable, why it is not a threat, and why it should be included in
Ubuntu by default would be beneficial. Write it up, plain text with
simple HTML tags for paragraph and line breaks, and email it to me
at cschroder@internet.com and I will publish it as soon as I
receive it. Say anything you want, keeping in mind of course the LT
TOS, which in a nutshell is no swear words and no personal
attacks.
I extended this same invitation in the Talkbacks yesterday and
so far have no takers. Comments do get overlooked in long threads,
so here it is again out in plain view. Thank you, and I look
forward to seeing what people have to say.
