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Shuttleworth Says Canonical Is Not Cash-Flow Positive

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the can't-say-i'm-surprised dept.

eldavojohn writes "Mark Shuttleworth, the millionaire bankroller who keeps Ubuntu going strong, has revealed 'Canonical is not cash-flow positive' just as version 8.10 (Intrepid Ibex) of the popular Linux distribution is released today. In a call, he said he 'had no objection' in funding Canonical for another three to five years. He did say, however, that if they concentrated on the server edition of Ubuntu that they could be profitable in two years."

5 of 304 comments (clear)

  1. The server version? by stinerman · · Score: 5, Interesting

    He did say, however, that if they concentrated on the server edition of Ubuntu that they could be profitable in two years.

    The server version, otherwise known as Debian.

    Hasn't this gone full circle? The Debian release cycle is too long and uncertain so out comes Ubuntu. Ubuntu takes from unstable, fixes some bugs, adds some polish and makes a decent desktop OS. Now Ubuntu wants to concentrate on the server which is exactly what Debian stable is for? Please. Canonical would be better served by just supporting Debian.

    1. Re:The server version? by dsginter · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Hasn't this gone full circle?

      No - the predominant attitude in the industry is "if you don't like it, then fork it" - so they did. Why did they do it? I think that you answered it yourself with the very next sentence:

      The Debian release cycle is too long and uncertain so out comes Ubuntu.

      When you see how the mirrors are getting slammed right now (8.10 is on most of them), you simply must realize that Ubuntu has stolen most of the mindshare aware from Debian. Is that not good?

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      More
  2. Focus on one more.... by Lumpy · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Give me a Commercial version that is a bit more polished and has the important stuff already installed and ready instead of me having to go and run the installers to get everything ready. also get a "remote help" system in place so aunt millie can press "help me" and type in my email address and then I can easily help her with it, or she can call you and get paid support.

    Honestly, Ubuntu is ALMOST there. if it takes a pay for version for me to point the Friends and family at then so be it.

    --
    Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
  3. Re:Of course they should concentrate on the server by Markspark · · Score: 5, Interesting

    yeah, but still the fact that the increase of linux is almost 90% in little less than a year, it seems as though the ball has started to roll.

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    i find your lack of faith in science disturbing!
  4. Re:Of course they should concentrate on the server by apodyopsis · · Score: 5, Interesting

    or to crunch the numbers another way - Windows lost 5.5% of the desktop market in a little over a year....

    ouch, I bet that smarts.