Firstly, the team and I would like to thank all Eeebuntuers for the huge number of contributions, participation and votes that have made this project so popular. Because of you we can now boast that we have created "Award Winning Software"!

Secondly, I have read a high number of posts in the forums related to the next version of Eeebuntu, mostly asking when it will be made available. Having now had a good look at Ubuntu 9.10 and the problems faced with the scale of changes and the knock-on effect it will have with the applications and utilities we supply with Eeebuntu the developers have reached a major decision:

Eeebuntu 4.0 will not be created with Ubuntu as the core. Instead we are planning to build EB4 upon Debian Unstable.

What does this mean for you?

Well, it means that we will have more control of what is released. We will have greater flexibility in the applications and updates as we are building a dedicated EB4 repo, fully populated and maintained. By making this move we can offer you the latest and greatest applications, the latest Kernel and more importantly, stability. We can ensure that updates will not adversely impact the installed applications and utilities or break your installation.

I know this decision may not sit well with some of our Eeebuntuers but to drive this project forward we do need to offer more stability and more cutting edge applications. Ubuntu itself is based on Debian Unstable so the bloodline is proven.

This is not an attempt at Ubuntu bashing, there are enough people around to take that mantle, this is a strategic development decision to help move our distribution along. Ubuntu is proving more difficult to customise with each release and if Debian Unstable is good enough for Ubuntu then it is certainly good enough for us. I'm sure you would agree.

Another major change will be the release cycles. We are abandoning the bi-annual major update. The next version of Eeebuntu, much in the same vein as Arch Linux, will be a rolling release. Don't worry, you will still get your updates and the latest apps/kernel whenever they are released and proved to work without destroying your current install. An ISO will be created every quarter of the build at that time to cater for Eeebuntu newcomers.

The team has also decided to expand the scope of Eeebuntu and cover not just Netbooks but the desktop in general. Stay tuned to the forums, facebook and twitter for more information.

Some of you may have read in various posts and blogs that Andy (Fewt) has quit developing for Eeebuntu. This is not entirely accurate. Andy will still be developing the ACPI control system but it will be hosted and supported by Eeebuntu. The application will be maintained in our repo's.

Finally (for now), the very contentious topic of the release date. As this release differs greatly from the previous releases and we are developing more applications, the "expected" release date will be the end of December 2009. It was decided that a delay would be wise considering the number and scope of changes. We need to release software that works and will not break at the very first update. To do this we will need to fully test the build as we move along the development road. Yes, beta versions will be offered to the community.

These are exciting times for our "not so little" project, and just remember; that which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet.

Thanks,

Steve

This is IMHO a potentially great advancement.

I've been very happy with my 1000he running eb3 but recently to get more inline with some of my other machines and a little more bleeding edge I have switched it to Debian Unstable running KDE4, starting out originally with a netboot (mini.iso) installation.

I have been pleased with the outcome, but miss some of the fine Eeebuntu enhancements and general slickness, so I really look forward to the direction taken.

While I am not happy with some of the politics of the distro I think there are lessons to be learned from Sidux, which also follows Debian Sid.

Lastly, I highly recommend giving http://smxi.org/ a look, I find Harald Hope's scripts, smxi especially, really help keeping things up to date while avoiding some of the pit falls of running what is effectively a piece of Gnu/Debian's development tree with its obstacles.


Marcus

This is certainly an exciting development in the direction of Eeebuntu...I think it's a great idea. Ubuntu is really an end-point distribution.

BTW, is it still going to be called Eeebuntu, even though it's new roots will be Debian?

Obvious suggestion: Deeebian!

From a "Linux dummy" point of view,
EB has an interface quasi-identical to Ubuntu. This is so handy to work with Ubuntu on a desktop at home/office and in parallel use EB on a netbook while on the road. Wherever we are and whatever the computer we use, we can have the very same applications or tools and transfer data very easily form 1 to another. For those using a desktop/netbook and spending time on the road, the compatibility and similarity between the "Desktop version" and the "on the road" version is so valuable. Specially if you are not a Linux Guru and don't have time to "play" with a computer.

Eeebuntu team did a great job so far and I hope that they will keep the considerations above in mind.

Thank you in advance.

First: This is GREAT news--moving to Debian. I'm convinced that, as developers, you'll enjoy life much more in developing software, rather than in repeatedly fixing what your supplier breaks.

Second: Do your plans include keeping the four interfaces that you have currently--Base, Standard, NBR, and LXDE? NBR, I hope; I'm gradually converting my whole family to NBR!

Third: Will you, soon, have a means for us to support your efforts in this? Speaking for myself only: I have neither the knowledge and the experience, nor the time to help out; but, I do have a little bit of discretionary funds that I would feel are supporting a worthwhile endeavor, if I could contribute from time to time.

Last: Thank you, eeebuntu developers, for all your efforts!!! I, for one, very much appreciate your efforts and your time in producing this award winning software.

G8r.Ray

That is excellent news!!

So you'll be changing the name to something else? I'm pretty sure having the name as Eeebuntu, but not being based on Ubuntu, is against the trademark policy, which you can read here.

I don't want to start a fight, I just want to confirm that you'll be changing the name, or discussing approval with the trademark team.

Great news .. but it has got to be Debeeean

Eeebian?

My post disappeared , so again a few questions.

- What is the biggest advantage against Karmic NBR?
- Is it worthwhile waiting till the end of this year?
- When are testversions to be expected?

Best regards,
Frits

I wonder what the difference between Eeebuntu and Debian's own EeePC efforts will be? Perhaps you should just join the DebianEeePC team to remove duplicate efforts?

http://wiki.debian.org/DebianEeePC

That idea is ok in principle but there are always different views and politics. At the moment this team is politics free. We have a free reign over what gets in and what is pulled out and we are not flying the FOSS only banner. Our belief is, if it's free (beer) and it works then it's in (potentially). There will be an option on the install to keep the FOSSers happy.



You don't need to hold off trying others in the meantime, isn't that one of the main points? Choice? But we think that whatever you try, come year end you'll be switching



You'll be one of the first to know if we do. At the moment we are more concerned with building it rather than pontificating over a name.


Steve

So is the smooth 3.0->4.0 upgrade still planned?

Overall, I think this is a great change, and I'm really happy about the GNU/Free option. To be honest eeebuntu feels a bit...dirty, with my other 5 PCs running GNU/Free software only. With this and the recent developments in gNewSense GNU+Linux, this is looking to be an excellent end of year for the software freedom movement.

2010 is the year of the fully-Free Linux desktop!

Two bits worth from a simple end-user:
Although I understand the strict FOSS policy of some distro's, I like the pragmatic approach of Eeebuntu, meaning that (for instance) it includes a media player that can cope with MP3 files. I had a quick look at the Debian.org wiki. Even as a non-technical guy, I think I could cope with installing Debian's own eeepc stuff and get it to work, but I feel more secure (protected? cosseted? spoiled?) with Eeebuntu. In short: I'm looking forward to whatever you guys will produce. If that is in December: fine. After all, we have EB3 which - at least at my modest level of requirements - does all I ask of it and does it well.
As to the name. Yes, indeed, not the first priority. Still it is important to get it right. I never even looked at Easy Peasy because of the name and design (apologies to the developers: I may be missing out on a great distro). I think you should go with your first hunch (often a good idea anyway): Eeevolution.

Good luck with development work,
Arvie