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Debian installer at that time wasn't detecting the SATA drive in my laptop, and Ubuntu was essentially the path of least resistance.

Next time, give the backported debian-installer a try: http://kmuto.jp/debian/d-i/

You are confirming what I just said: it's a lost cause, you've just posted a very good example of it. You are complaining about the default only.

P.S: FYI, Debian and Ubuntu are both using the Linux kernel (well, Debian uses other kernels too), so saying one hardware only works with Ubuntu is just plain wrong (hint: http://kmuto.jp/debian/d-i/).

My guess: you used stable Debian.

Drivers usually come with the kernel, and Debian trades new drivers and other features for a stable environment. Ubuntu simply ships a more recent kernel, at the expense of less testing.

Another option is simply using Debian Stable with a backported kernel. It's as easy to install as normal Debian, but comes with a more recent & less tested kernel.

Sort of like the http://kmuto.jp/debian/hcl but a more automated and expanded version.

Would be good for the next developer to alter the APIs to know how many millions of machines will be screwed.

You can find out with the Unofficial Debian HCL. Currently it indexes modules included in Etch's kernel, which is based on Linux 2.6.18.

FYI, you could always have used etch's kernel 'backported' to sarge if you went to http://backports.org/. Another option is Kenshi Muto's Backported d-i images archive page.

These pages will probably continue to be useful once Etch's default kernel gets out of date; although they may not be necessary as I have heard rumours of plans to push out updated Linux kernel image packages from time to time, with point releases of Debian 4.0 (etch).

Actually you can always use these images which include a backported kernel. They work well http://kmuto.jp/debian/d-i/ with opensource being opensource you can easily just make your own kernels and build it all up no problems.

This is not a political issue. Mozilla will sue Debian unless Debian changes the name of its Firefox package!

As for your SATA issues, I suggest that you do an iota of research before splashing out on new hardware. Making sure that hardware is capable of running the software you want to run on it is always a good idea; after all, the hardware only exists to run your chosen software--it should not dictate that choice itself.

If this is not possible then I suggest you try one of Kenshi Muto's Backported d-i images, or a backported kernel from backports.org.

Finally, next time you need help with Debian I suggest you use one of the known support channels. Off-topic bitching on an un-related internet forum just makes you look like you are trolling. :)

Once you've worked out all the political wrangling over the "Firefox" trademark, et all, could you please get decent SATA support in Stable?

The next release (Debian 4.0) is scheduled for December, and just might actually be close to on schedule, if you can hold out a couple more months. It currently uses kernel 2.6.17, though it's possible that 2.6.18 might be able to slip in before release. Needless to say, this will support a lot more SATA hardware than Debian 3.1 with kernel 2.6.8.

If you want to be an early adopter, try the etch beta 3 installer images. Alternatively, for Debian 3.1 with a more modern kernel, try the unofficial installer images produced by developer Kenshi Muto.