This post is a response to Phil's response to my rant.

My Rant.
Phil's response.

Hello Phil,

Thanks for responding!

Using software from Universe

Basically, then, we shouldn't use any software from Universe? Have you tried creating a NATing firewall, which provides different access rights depending on which interface you come in to create a variably restricted DMZ (being able to access the smtp server, whilst not being able to access the ftp server, for example), with iptables on its own? With firehol, it is very, very, easy. With iptables, I wouldn't even know where to begin.

One of the problems with not using software from universe, especially with the default install on gutsy is, Ubuntu makes no distinction between the Universe and main repos when you're installing software. Universe repos are now included by default in Ubuntu's sources.lst, which means that anyone who types in "aptitude install firehol" will download and install firehol from the universe repos, without even realising it, even on Ubuntu Server. That also, of course means that if you so an "aptitude search firewall", firehol will be returned.

The following section I now disagree with. I've left it here so that you can read it, but I wouldn't ;)

^{Buying a support contract: if you want Ubuntu to get used in the SME buisness community as a server, you need to realise that most SMEs can't afford to buy Ubuntu support contracts for their servers. We've got better things to spend the money on, like, more servers. More advertising. Personally, I'd love to buy a support contract, but my boss will never agree to buying one whilst we still want to be able to afford more staff. Also, you've not stated, if we have a support contract, will that provide us with paid support for universe packages we rely on, like firehol?}

Bugs. According to the piechart on the Ubuntu bugs page (here), Ubuntu has gained a percentage of Confirmed bugs. Thats bugs which have been confirmed by the bugsquad/triagers as being an active problem, with enough information that they think that a dev should look at the report. Considering the number of bugs in Ubuntu, 1% is an awful lot of bugs...

That is why I gave up triaging: I never felt that DEVs/MOTU's were looking at at the bugs and taking any interest. What is the point of getting the reporters hopes up that the bug will be fixed, if its still awaiting attention a year (and more) down the line?

Now, don't get me wrong, I think that the work that the MOTU does is great.

What might be a good idea (it could also be a very dumb one... make your own mind up), is to stop adding new packages to Ubuntu in the Universe repos, until you've enough MOTUs to maintain the ones you've got.

The bottom line

I don't feel that I would be able to join the qa-team or the MOTUs with just 10 minutes spare a week. I've got lots and lots of things I want to do, working on Ubuntu is just a little part of that. If I did get back into triaging properly, I'd want to become a MOTU, just so that I could help FIX problems, and not just confirm them. (I am trying to free up more time so that I can hopefully work towards helping more in Ubuntu than I am currently)

Update 1600: I've talked to a couple of people on IRC, whom suggest that my position may not be fully correct. I'm looking at doing some further research, so watch this space... you may hear more from me about this, you may not. Note also, the "simple bug" has now been moved into Invalid... and I think it should be invalid. May need another bug, just to make the error message a little kinder/more useful, but that would be separate.

Update 2027: I've completly re-written and removed sections from this blog post. Talking to people on IRC, obviously some _{^{(maybe more than some...)}} of what I've said is wrong. And what isn't wrong, is that Ubuntu needs more Devs. Also, if this sounds rude or offensive to anyone (especially the multi-talented Phil), please excuse me, it was not my intention to be offensive at all.