MEPIS embraces Ubuntu March 28, 2006
Posted by Carthik in news, ubuntu.trackback
MEPIS has started using the Ubuntu packages as the base, instead of Debian.
So, finally, the MEPIS distribution, which uses KDE as the window manager, and is quite popular on it’s own right will now be built upon the packages provided by the Ubuntu repositories.
A few things come to mind:
1) This does not make Kubuntu (the KDE version of Ubuntu) the same as MEPIS or vice-versa. MEPIS owes it’s success to the way the programs and preferences in it are tweaked to make life easier for the new Linux user. So MEPIS will be a variation on the theme.
2) I wonder if MEPIS will now follow a 6-month release cycle.
3) The number of Debian or Ubuntu based distributions in Distrowatch’s Most Popular Distributions goes up, again!
4) MEPIS has provided better support for multimedia, restricted formats etc, since they do not have the same ideological beleifs as the Ubuntu project. For KDE users, this means more choice, and perhaps an easier gateway to Ubuntu/Kubuntu.
5) MEPIS has a non-free (as in beer) distribution, for which one has to pay, called Pro-MEPIS. Wonder if MEPIS will share part of its profits with the Ubuntu foundation. Something tells me the answer will be “No”, but still…
Ubuntu Blog 
“3) The number of Debian or Ubuntu based distributions in Distrowatch’s Most Popular Distributions goes up, again!”
I think that Mepis was already based on Debian?
Chuck, LOL – I must think twice before writing, I meant to say “Ubuntu based”.
Thanks for catching that.
I don’t think they’ll want to share profits. Why would they? But I hope they can contribute their bug fixes efficiently with Kubuntu. And in turn, I hope U/K/Xubuntu is efficiently contributing to Debian with bug fixes etc.
What i really want to see is a mepis repo that is compat with ubuntu – i’m not a KDE user, but Mepis’s version is considerably more stable and overall more polished than Kubuntu.
Good luck to the mepis team!
I think benplaut is on the money. I think one of the big considerations with Warren’s decision to link Mepis with Ubuntu is the repository angle.
After all:
*********quote**********
“ALERT: Etch pool going through major changes!
Submitted by warren on Thu, 02/02/2006 – 21:35. Apt-get Pools
February 2, 2006: Until further notice, all SimplyMEPIS users need to be VERY careful when installing packages from the Debian Etch pool. Please don’t do an upgrade on your “work” machines.
The pool is entering an unstable period which will probably last for a month or maybe two.
FYI, the Sid pool is always unstable. You may have good or bad luck upgrading to Sid or you may have good or bad luck ugrading in Etch.
***********end quote************
The testing/debugging & dependancy work Ubuntu has done with Sid makes it simultaneously more cutting-edge AND more resembling “stable” than Etch –given recent history.
I’ll have to admit I’m intrigued by the possibilities of the semi-partnership.
I don’t believe this meois is way much advanced tools than in ubuntus,but anyway may they’ve got a setback so they are finally taking good from good ones.
Kubuntu or Mepis 6? I as a user of both think I’ll explain it in two lines:
Kubuntu: you learn to use and configure Linux and after a little pain and help from the comunity, you enjoy Linux
Mepis: you learn less but you enjoy Linux almost inmediatly
Both are good, after using Kubuntu for about 2 years I prefer Mepis 6, but all I’ve learned in Kubuntu was very useful in Mepis.
Try both, then decide.
Thank you for the services you offer
Chuck, LOL – I must think twice before writing, I meant to say “Ubuntu based”.
hat i really want to see is a mepis repo that is compat with ubuntu – i’m not a KDE user, but Mepis’s version is considerably more stable and overall more polished than Kubuntu.