I think the Software Center is _THE_ solution to these types of problems. No CD (or USB key or DVD) is going to have the software that everyone is going to want, nor should it. Linux users have different interests and I think it’s fair to say that many of these users don’t give a hoot about editing a photo or painting with their laptop.

The Gimp is not a widely used application. It is widely used by people interested in creating digital pictures. This is a minority of users, even in a community as creative as the Linux community. I think the Ubuntu Devs are right, it’s not a necessary component of the base system. I would be furious if they removed it from the repository, but I’m not going to get worked up about it being removed from the CD.

In contrast to you, I am very attracted to the idea of a core system that gives _me_ the opportunity to build the system that _I_ want. My father would be more interested in genealogy software than the Gimp, but the core system should not include genealogy software. Most users won’t want it.

I think the default installation should be small and, as much as possible, guarantee that the new users can easily connect to the wider world. Linux really should capitalize on the success of the iPhone and make it easy to install software. Compared to the narrow selection of apps for the iPhone – Linux really does have “an app for that”.

The success of the iPhone, Crackberry, etc. proves that users ARE capable of finding applications that are useful and interesting to them. They start with a simple, core system and they build a system that meets their needs.

The Software Centre is the solution. While the iPhone proves that users are capable of building a system they like, we do need to do all that we can to make it easier to find the best software. Synaptic and KPackagekit aren’t the solutions. I hope the Software Center is. Then we can all have our own Linux and we won’t have to argue about which app goes onto the CD.

Getting rid of the Alternate CD through shipit was a horrible idea anyway. (Whether it was a conscious decision or just “hey, we have a single CD thats live and an installer!)

Shipit was supposed to help people who don’t have access to the internet/etc, by continuing to ship them the Desktop CD over and over again, they can’t upgrade. They’re stuck reinstalling every 6mo/2yr.

The people who treat their PC the same as they do a microwave, is probably not the user for Linux.

I teach Ubuntu to users all the time, I know the people who Ubuntu is serving on the ground. I’m not ignorant of them or arrogant enough to assume that they all must learn everything. But my users would like to know that things exist.

You could include a large section of default applications that are not installed in the menu: gimp “photo editor”, kdenlive “video sequencer”, audacity “audio editor”, …

1) Make a “Core CD” for installation and Live CD options.

2) Make a “Suggested Applications” CD

3) Make a DVD which includes all of 1 & 2 with the options of installing just 1, just 2, or both at once. (1 first, then 2)

Older systems without DVD drives can use the CDs, newer systems can use the DVDs, and both CD ISOs and the DVD ISO can be downloaded like the current ISOs are.

Ubuntu has something like 25,000 programs you can install, so making an all-inclusive installation is impossible and redundant. Leave Gimp in, add Inkscape, etc. No, we don’t need 10 graphics apps in Ubuntu, and again, that’s what the Software Center / Add/Remove is for. The key is not which packages to really install, but rather which packages to inform people about. It’s more about education than installation because you can install a GREAT software on a PC, but if the person doesn’t know how to use it (or that it even exists), then what’s the point of it being installed?

I think to choose which apps should be installed should be based on ease of use, flexibility, compatibility, etc For example, for an office suite, OpenOffice.org is a no-brainer. It’s all you need. It works. It’s flexible and easy to use, compatible with OO on all PCs and even with the mainstream Microsoft Office. Done deal.

Let’s not get into a giant debate fueld by emotions over which applicatiosn to install. Look at it objectively from a functionality point of view and what will serve the most people, without dumbing it down. This is where the educational part is key. “Ok. here is program X that does THIS, it will work, it’s blah blah blah and here is program Y which etc etc etc”". Let people un/install what they want, but educate them so they know what do un/install, how to use it, not use it, and why.

Software is always secondary to knowledge.