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Loralighte
Loralighte

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Ubuntu Remixes I Would Love to See

Now let me lead you into the background of Ubuntu Remixes/Flavors, what the differences are, and what they are, and how many are there right now. After I label those that do exist and what they are, I want to then label 10 remixes I would love to see exist.

What are Remixes/Flavors?

A remix of Ubuntu is taking Ubuntu itself, and changing it for either a front end look (like Desktop Environments), or adding pre-installed software for a specific use case. We will look into which ones of these exist in a minute.

A flavor of Ubuntu is the same thing, BUT the list of "flavors" is specially curated by Canonical (the company behind Ubuntu itself). To become an official flavor there are rules. Of which mostly include "keep developing it" and "keep with the release cycles" for Desktop. Now the idea behind Ubuntu rules is a tad bit more complicated than that, but if you want to make a remix that aims for official status, then feel free to research that.

Which Remixes CURRENTLY Exist?

Now two definitions of "CURRENTLY" need to be clarified.

  1. Is in development with ISO's out
  2. Is in current development, preparing a releasable product

Now, why do we need to clarify this? Three reasons. One of which is that some projects have NO ISO out yet, so no one has used them, but are in development. Secondly is that some remixes are dead, however, they have ISO's in the past. Thirdly is that the ISO's might not work for those who have released ISO files, yet are still working on development.

I will be mentioning dead remixes in the "ones I would like to see" section as the currently dead FLAVORS are ideas that I like to see. Dead Remixes will be added after.

Currently existing distributions:

OFFICIAL (by order of age (oldest - youngest))

  • Kubuntu (2005)
  • Xubuntu (2006)
  • Ubuntu Studio (2007)
  • Lubuntu (2011)
  • Ubuntu Kylin (2013)
  • Ubuntu MATE (2015)
  • Ubuntu Budgie (2017)

UNOFFICIAL REMIXES (by order of age (oldest - youngest))

Note: I might have missed some, these are the ones I know exist. These will have months and years as some of these came out the same year. (Feel free to comment if you have a remix to add, requirements at the end)

  • Ubuntu Cinnamon (2019 - November / December (not 100% sure))
  • UbuntuDDE (2020 - April)
  • Ubuntu Lumina (2020 - October (DEVELOPER-EDITION not full))
  • Ubuntu Unity (2020 - May)
  • UbuntuCDE (2020 - October)

UNKNOWN (Not ordered)
Now before we list these distributions, let me label what they are. They are specialized remixes and otherwise flavor worthy, however, if they are or ever will be official or not is a bit of a mystery.

  • UBPorts (Ubuntu for Mobile)
  • Regolith Linux (i3 + GNOME with an Ubuntu base)

Remixes I would love to see

The reason I labeled which ones "exist" is because I want people to be aware of what they would not be able to do. Yes, you could technically make your own Xubuntu or Ubuntu Lumina but I am 100% sure the devs would not take kindly, or the community for that matter. Anyways this is split up into two sections, "Specialty" and "Desktop Look". Like Ubuntu Studio or Ubuntu Kylin, "Specialty" versions have pre-installed software for specific use cases. Like the rest, "Desktop Look" is for desktop environments.

Specialty

  • Ubuntu Developer: Has included tools for software development
  • Ubuntu Rolling: Rolling Release Ubuntu, with having updates to the ISO every week or so. Like Arch but still following release cycles for major updates to parts of the system.
  • Ubuntu Business: Based on the dead official remake by Canonical themselves called "Ubuntu Business Desktop Remix". Meant for office work.
  • Ubuntu Medical: This one is going to be difficult for some, but Ubuntu made for Medical facilities. You'd want to grab a friend who works at one for help with that. Also trying to switch them over will be hard.

Desktop Looks

  • Ubuntu Moksha: Best known from Bodhi Linux.
  • Ubuntu Liri: Not Ubuntu Lomiri, the new name for Unity, as I think that is in the works. Liri is from LiriOS.
  • Ubuntu TDE/Trinity: The desktop from Q4OS. This is one I might do myself alongside Ubuntu Lumina but feel free to do so.
  • Ubuntu Twin: An ncurses desktop
  • Ubuntu Pantheon: elementary OS's desktop. I would love to see this flavor actually happen. I tried in the past, let me warn you, it is difficult. GG to the Fedora remix for Pantheon guys for doing it.
  • Ubuntu Equinox - A solid FLTK desktop environment.

You Made One, What are The Rules To Have Me Update This?

Rules:

  1. It needs to comply with the Ubuntu Code of Conduct. Also proof you signed it.
  2. It needs a domain/full website. (for submissions only)
  3. Social media. The minimum for this is a Twitter account.
  4. Proof you are working on it RIGHT NOW, not just when the next release is coming or whenever you feel like it.
  5. An email for the distro. I feel like this is a must-have, as it keeps contact with your distribution easier. At least the lead dev has an email.

Optional but helpful:

  • Telegram and/or Discord
  • YouTube Channel
  • Other social media
  • Reddit page
  • Screenshots of the system (This will be a HUGE helper).

Anyways have fun and build something cool.

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