Hello.

Recently I've started to experiment with Debian Linux. A couple of days ago I had the chance to try out Ubuntu (Breezy Badger). All works fine and dandy, the system worked out of the box .. not much of a fan of their default Gnome theme but anyway.

I suppose these are definite arguments for new users to pick Ubuntu instead of Debian.

However, I am wandering .. for an experienced user who isn't affraid to use the CLI, isn't affraid to manually edit configuration file .. and is rather fond of "apt-get" and "apt-cache" .. And likes a system which is as bloat-free as possible .. what can Ubuntu offer that Debian can not ? (maybe it's wortht mentioning: Debian Testing [etch])


So .. for an advanced user .. are there any reasons why he should use Ubuntu instead of Debian ? (assumption: the advanced user doesn't care about point-and-click .. and probably even prefers cli)

Moved: This thread is more suitable in Ubuntu and has been moved accordingly to help your thread/question get the exposure it deserves.

It's easy to install.

Faster than doing the full thing from a debian net boot CD.

Most things configured out the box (saves me configuring lots of things)

I personaly prefer Debian strait for the power but it takes a long time to install and configure to a point I can use it for any work or fidling.

The perfect halfway house would be something that installs Debian and puts lots of nice defaults on like audio, network, DVD and video codecs etc...

I agree with Amon considering that Ubuntu is less of a pain regarding the configuration. Some people enjoy spending hours configuring everything but others do not. You can also create holes in your OS by making mistakes in your configurations. Everyone who partakes in linux uses their distro for a reason and it all depends on the user.

I have been using linus for the past five or so years and see Deian as a total pain regarding the install and configuration.

Twice yearly new versions (even if they are running 6 weeks late). Debian take a long long time for a new version. The real question is to work out what you want out of Ubuntu that you do not get and see if Debian will supply it.

I install Debian once every year or so but it never lasts long. It just seems to need so much configuration and hardware tweaking. Ubuntu comes up with pretty good defaults and most of it works out of the box. If you enjoy tinkering, have plenty of time, are prepared to accept breakages from time to time Debian Unstable is great fun.

ZB

Personally, I stick with Debian Testing. On a new system, it can take some fiddling, but it's not bad. On a system I know I can set it up with the defaults I like in a couple hours. Of course I build my own PCs from generic parts so hardware setup is not really an issue.

I appreciate that this has been, thus far, an even-handed discussion, rather than a Debian vs. Ubuntu flame fest.

I've come to the conclusion that Debian is to Ubuntu what FreeBSD is to, well, Mac OS X. Ubuntu sets you up with a very nice, useful desktop system, much like Mac OS X does out of the box. Debian is an equally nice system, but requires (or allows, if you prefer) a greater level of tinkering to make it do all of the things you want it to do.

Neither one is better, honestly, especially as Ubuntu is really just Debian-plus, much as Mac OS X is BSD-plus. It's all about what you want, isn't it?

It's really the best part of Linux, and all of the various Unix-like operating systems. There's always a flavor that's best for whatever you want to do.