Ubuntu Linux Killed The Commercial Desktop Distro

Summary

This video script delves into the history of commercial Linux distributions, highlighting how the landscape has shifted from paid to predominantly free models. It discusses early commercial distros like Yggdrasil Linux and Corel Cinux, which offered unique features for a price. The script emphasizes Ubuntu's impact, with its free 'shipit' service that made Linux CDs accessible to all, effectively ending the commercial distro model for desktop users. It also touches on the current state of Linux distributions, where free options abound, and the challenges for any new commercial distro to find a niche in this market.

Takeaways

• 💡 The concept of paying for a Linux distribution was once common but has become unthinkable for many users today.
• 💰 Examples like elementary OS show that while donations are accepted, they are not mandatory, allowing users to download for free.
• 📈 The rise of high-speed internet and the ability to download large files has reduced the need for physical media like CDs.
• 🌐 Ubuntu's launch in 2004 with the 'Warty Warthog' release marked a significant shift in the Linux distribution landscape.
• 🚀 The 'shipit' service by Ubuntu allowed users to request free CDs, which disrupted the market for paid Linux distributions.
• 📦 Early commercial Linux distributions like Yggdrasil Linux and Corel Cinux aimed to provide out-of-the-box experiences with a price tag.
• 📉 The decline of commercial Linux distributions was also due to the increasing quality and user-friendliness of free alternatives.
• 🌟 The success of Ubuntu, backed by significant resources, made it difficult for other distributions to compete both in quality and price.
• 🔧 Other distributions adapted by offering services like System76, which sells hardware, or relying on donations and sponsorships.
• 🤔 The current market makes it challenging for a new commercial Linux distribution to compete with the plethora of free, high-quality options available.

Q & A

What was the first commercial Linux distribution?

The first commercial Linux distribution was Yggdrasil Linux, also known as LGX, which was a live CD distribution that described itself as a plug and play system.

What was unique about Yggdrasil Linux in the 90s?

Yggdrasil Linux was unique because it was the first to offer an out-of-box experience with automatic hardware configuration and X11 working automatically, which was not common at the time.

How much did the beta version of Yggdrasil Linux cost?

The beta version of Yggdrasil Linux was sold at 60 USD, which was considered very expensive for the 90s.

When did Yggdrasil Linux cease to be active?

Yggdrasil Linux remained in active circulation until about the year 2000, with the last core profiling being in 2004.

What was Corel Cinux and how was it similar to modern Linux distributions?

Corel Cinux was a commercial Linux distribution that shipped with the CDE Common Desktop Environment and attempted to emulate a Windows look and feel, similar to what some modern distributions like Linux Mint offer.

What was the significance of the Ubuntu 'shipit' service in the Linux distribution market?

The Ubuntu 'shipit' service allowed users to request free CDs of Ubuntu, which significantly impacted the market for commercial Linux distributions by providing a free and easy alternative to purchasing CDs.

Why did the Ubuntu 'shipit' service eventually end?

The 'shipit' service ended in 2011 due to the high costs associated with shipping CDs worldwide, which were funded by donations that could not keep up with the demand.

How did the improvement in internet speeds affect the commercial Linux distribution model?

As internet speeds improved, the need for physical installation media like CDs or thumb drives decreased, making it less necessary for users to purchase Linux distributions.

What is the current state of commercial Linux distributions for desktop users?

The commercial Linux distribution model for desktop users no longer exists as it once did, with most distributions being freely available and supported by other means such as donations, sponsorships, or hardware sales.

What are some alternative ways Linux distributions make money today?

Linux distributions today make money through various means such as selling hardware, receiving donations, securing sponsorships, or offering premium support services.

Why is it difficult for a new commercial Linux distribution to compete in the current market?

It is difficult for a new commercial Linux distribution to compete because there are many high-quality free alternatives available, and the unique value proposition needed to justify a purchase is hard to achieve when all distributions have access to the same software.

Outlines

00:00

💻 The Shift from Paid to Free Linux Distros

The paragraph discusses the evolution of Linux distributions (distros) from a time when users would purchase them to the present where it's uncommon to pay for a Linux distro. It highlights elementary OS as an exception where users can 'donate' during the download process, but it's optional. The paragraph delves into the history of Linux, mentioning early distros like MCC Interim Linux and the commercial Yggdrasil Linux, which was one of the first to offer a live CD and a plug-and-play system. It contrasts the commercial Linux distros of the past with the current landscape dominated by free distros, suggesting that improvements in software, internet speeds, and the rise of Ubuntu contributed to the decline of paid Linux distros.

05:05

🌐 The Impact of Ubuntu on Commercial Linux Distros

This paragraph explores how Ubuntu, launched in 2004, revolutionized the Linux distro market by offering a high-quality, easy-to-use distro for free. It discusses the 'shipit' service that allowed users to request free CDs of Ubuntu, which undercut the market for paid Linux CDs and magazines that included Linux CDs. The paragraph also touches on the decline of commercial Linux distros and the shift towards selling installation CDs as a means to fund open-source projects. It notes that while some distros like Slackware sold CDs, this was not the norm and was eventually overshadowed by the free and easily accessible distros available online.

10:12

📦 The End of an Era: The Decline of Commercial Linux CDs

The paragraph details the end of the 'shipit' service in 2011, which had been a game-changer by offering free CDs of Ubuntu worldwide. It reflects on how this service, funded by donations, made it nearly impossible for commercial Linux distros to compete. The paragraph also discusses the challenges faced by Ubuntu due to the high demand for CDs and the eventual need to introduce restrictions. It concludes by noting the current state of the Linux distro market, where free distros are prevalent, and the difficulty for any new commercial distro to find a niche, especially with the availability of high-quality free alternatives.

15:17

🚀 The Future of Commercial Linux Distros for Desktop Users

In this final paragraph, the script ponders the feasibility of a new commercial Linux distro targeting desktop users. It acknowledges the dominance of free distros and questions what unique value a paid distro could offer. The paragraph suggests that while enterprise solutions might still have a market, for individual users, the abundance of free, high-quality distros makes it unlikely that they would opt to pay for a distro. It invites viewers to consider whether a commercial distro could succeed and what it would take for such a distro to stand out in the current market.

Keywords

💡Linux Distro

A Linux distribution, or distro, is a version of the Linux operating system that is packaged with a set of additional software that provides a complete, ready-to-use operating system. In the video, the term is central as it discusses the evolution of Linux distros, particularly the shift from paid to free models, and how certain distros like Ubuntu changed the market dynamics.

💡Commercial Linux Distro

This refers to Linux distributions that were sold for a fee, targeting both corporate and home users. The video script highlights how commercial Linux distros were a thing in the past, with examples like Yggdrasil Linux and Corel Cinux, which were sold at a cost, contrasting with the current trend of free distros.

💡Ubuntu

Ubuntu is a popular Linux distribution known for its user-friendly interface and strong community support. The video discusses Ubuntu's significant role in the decline of commercial Linux distros by offering a high-quality, free alternative that was easy to use and widely accessible.

💡Yggdrasil Linux

Yggdrasil Linux, also known as LGX, is mentioned in the script as the first commercial Linux distro. It was notable for its live CD and 'plug and play' system, which was ahead of its time. The script uses Yggdrasil as an example to illustrate the high costs associated with early commercial Linux distros.

💡ShipIt

Ubuntu's ShipIt was a service that allowed users to request a free CD of Ubuntu, which was particularly impactful for those with limited or slow internet connections. The video explains how this service contributed to the decline of paid Linux distros by making a free, high-quality distro easily accessible.

💡Internet Speeds

The video script discusses how the increase in global internet speeds has made downloading Linux distros more feasible, reducing the need for physical media like CDs. This technological advancement is presented as a contributing factor to the decline of commercial Linux distros.

💡Plug and Play

The term 'plug and play' in the context of the video refers to the ease of use and automatic configuration of hardware that certain Linux distros, like Yggdrasil, aimed to provide. It signifies a user-friendly approach that was innovative at the time and became a selling point for early commercial Linux distros.

💡Corel Cinux

Corel Cinux is highlighted in the script as an example of a commercial Linux distro that attempted to emulate a Windows look and feel. It was later acquired by Xandros Linux, which continued to offer different editions of its distro, each with a price tag, until it ceased operations in 2007.

💡Xandros Linux

Xandros Linux, which acquired Corel Cinux, is mentioned as another commercial Linux distro that offered various editions at different price points. The video uses Xandros to illustrate the commercial Linux distro model and its eventual decline.

💡Free and Open Source Software (FOSS)

While not explicitly mentioned in the script, the concept of FOSS underlies much of the discussion about the availability of free Linux distros. The video implies that the ethos of FOSS, where software is freely available and modifiable, has contributed to the prevalence of free Linux distros over commercial ones.

💡Canonical

Canonical is the company founded by Mark Shuttleworth that sponsors the development of Ubuntu. The video script indirectly references Canonical's role in the success of Ubuntu, which in turn influenced the market for commercial Linux distros by setting a high standard for what could be offered for free.

Highlights

The unthinkability of paying for a Linux distribution in modern times, contrasting with past practices.

Elementary OS as an exception with its donation-based model during download.

Historical context of commercial Linux distributions targeting both corporate and home users.

The emergence of Yggdrasil Linux/GNU/X as the first commercial Linux distro with a live CD and plug-and-play system.

The pricing strategy of Yggdrasil Linux, with beta versions at $60 and full releases at $100.

The existence of Corel Cinux, which emulated a Windows look and feel, and its acquisition by Xandros Linux.

Xandros Linux's business model offering different editions at various price points.

The practice of selling installation CDs as a means to fund open-source projects, like Slackware.

The role of magazines in distributing Linux CDs, often bundled with subscriptions.

Ubuntu's disruptive entry into the market with its free distribution model, challenging commercial distros.

The launch of Ubuntu's 'shipit' service, offering free CDs to users with limited bandwidth.

The impact of Ubuntu's 'shipit' service on the commercial Linux distribution market.

The eventual discontinuation of Ubuntu's 'shipit' service due to funding challenges.

The evolution of the Linux distribution market towards free distros and alternative revenue models.

The current landscape where commercial Linux distributions for desktop users are nearly non-existent.

Discussion on the possibility of a new commercial Linux distro competing in the desktop user market.

Transcripts

Obviously corporate expectations are very very different but nowadays as a regular old desktop

Linux user it's kind of unthinkable that you would pay for a Linux distro. Now I know some

of you are going to say well what about elementary OS and yes this is kind of an example but this is

more like a donation built into the download process because you don't have to pay any of the

prices listed here you can set it to zero and download it completely for free. What if I told

you there was a time where maybe it wasn't the norm but there was a developing market of distros

you would actually purchase and not just distros you would purchase that were targeted at corporate

users but distros targeting corporate and also home users purchased in a way like you would

purchase a copy of windows which nowadays you don't even see distros try to do yes there are

cases like elementary OS but I mean an actual set price that you paid to get it and it certainly

could be argued that as software got better as distros got better as internet speeds got faster

and more common and it was more likely that people actually had a home internet connection

that was suitable for downloading multiple gigabytes maybe this model would have just

naturally ended by itself but I think it's fair to say that one project in particular

may have ended the model a lot sooner than it would have naturally ended with that project being

Ubuntu. Now Ubuntu first dropped in 2004 with the 4.10 release Warty Warthog but let's back up

just a little bit to the very start of Linux in the beginning there was a kernel and within the

very first year of Linux we started seeing the very earliest foundation the very earliest formation

of some of the early Linux distros first we saw MCC interim Linux there were some things before that

that arguably could be a distro but MCC interim Linux is what I generally define as the very

first distro following this we had SLS Soft Landing Linux system and from there most people

tend to skip to Debian and Slack where both the which were based on Soft Landing Linux system

however between those two points there is the often skipped very first commercial Linux distro

now when we are talking about a commercial Linux distro from back in the 90s this is very

different from what you would expect today and the kind of features it was offering are just

not what you get from something like rel for example this was a system called Yggdrasil Linux

slash GNU slash X or Yggdrasil or LGX for short this was the first proper live cd distribution

and described itself as a plug and play system configuring itself for your hardware it would

have X11 just automatically working automatically working it certainly tried to do so but this

was offering things which at the time just were not really a thing from any of the other distros

available at the time most everything it did could be done on other distros the out-of-box

experience truly was above everything else at the time now the beta for this was sold at 60 USD

which especially for the 90s was very very expensive with the full production release

being 100 USD, this distro remained in active circulation until about the year 2000 with

the last core profiling being in 2004 it was the first but Yggdrasil was not the only distro

of its kind in 1999 we saw Corel Cinux which shipped the CDE Common Desktop Environment

and attempted to emulate a windows look and feel much like what you get from something like

mint today this was eventually bought by Xandros Linux which began offering a home edition

premium edition and professional edition now I wonder what sort of model they were trying to

replicate at the time now Xandros actually stuck around for quite a while ending in 2007

and at some point began offering a developer edition using dwm so that came out sometime

after 2006 so whilst they did have it it wasn't a very long-running version if you go and scroll

through the way back machine you're gonna see them rename different versions and rebrand things and

I don't know what they were doing they were just trying out different things but the important thing

is those editions they had weren't free you would pay to get access to them but when we talk about

commercial offerings in Linux it's not always just the commercial only distros it was fairly common

for distros like Slackware for example to sell installation cds as a way to additionally fund

the project nowadays you don't even see this at best you'll see maybe like a hidden donation link

there are some people in places like ebay and amazon that are selling installation cds or in

many cases installation thumb drives but these in none of the cases are endorsed directly by the

Linux distros themselves if they were it would be advertised on the distros site and i cannot

forget because I know someone is going to mention it there were also magazines that came with a Linux

install cd as well there was a ton of people out there who the very first time they ever used Linux

was on one of these magazines but this is still a form of commercial selling of the cd because you

still had to buy the magazine and there was some sort of deal with the distro and the magazine

that allowed that to actually happen now for a reason i'll get to in just a moment

I do think Ubuntu played a really big part in killing off all of this the commercial distros

the magazines buying distro cds directly from a distro but it is very much a two-part problem

the first part is even up to the mid-2000s it was still very common for people to be on dial up or

really slow DSL connections and of course there were many people at the time that didn't even

have a home connection and to get internet they would have to go to like the library or their

school or other things like that and I know even today there are still some regions like that but

it's a lot less common than it was back in 2005/2006 as global internet speeds have been rising

requiring a full installation cd or nowadays it would be an installation thumb drive just

isn't as necessary however during that period we need to talk about the way that Ubuntu completely

outpriced all of the other competition to the point where nobody could compete with what Ubuntu

was doing so again Ubuntu launched in 2004 with the 4.10 release Warty Warthog and if you go look

at forums at the time it released to a lot of fanfare because people knew it had a lot of backing

they knew it was going to have a lot of developers they knew it was going to be this really big and

really exciting thing that hopefully just made Linux considerably easier to use it seemed like it

was going to be a distro that really did make Linux plug and play and in many ways that is what

Ubuntu did Ubuntu like Yggdrasil really raised the bar for what it meant to be a Linux distro

yes there was still a place for things like Debian and Slackware but for the less technical user

and obviously 2004 you still had to be a fairly technical user to use Linux but it was now at a

point where you could kind of get someone who is not a Linux user actually using Linux but the

year after that this is where things really started to change and this service is probably a big part

of the reason why Ubuntu became the default Linux distro this is a service called shipit request

an Ubuntu cd, Ubuntu is available for download free of charge because that's just a good thing to do

but if you have limited bandwidth and are unable to download it we can send you a cd of the latest

version remember the delivery may take up to 10 weeks so you might be better off downloading now

but if you only had a connection that you could get to this website and then request the cd this

was massive no longer did you have to go and find a magazine that had a Linux cd in it no

longer did you go and pay a distro to get a cd you could just go to the Ubuntu website and say

give me cd yeah it's gonna take some time sure whatever but how does anybody compete with that

you now have a system that you can get cds entirely for free and there wasn't a restriction

of one cd per person or one cd per every certain amount of time you could just keep requesting

cds and it was being used as like a good faith system where you only request the cds that you

actually need but now outside of shipping restrictions there was just a service here

that you could just get Linux whenever you wanted and as you probably guessed by the fact that it

just doesn't exist today eventually the service did come to an end this was done in 2011 with

the 11.04 release we have shipped millions of cds to every country in the world and brought Ubuntu

into the lives of millions of individuals we hope making them a little better and you may have

also guessed by the comment i made earlier about the fact that there weren't restrictions on how

many cds you could get um whilst it was a free system it was being funded by donations and

look when you have a system like this if there are less donations than there are cds going out

you might end up in a situation where in 2009 they did have to bring in restrictions on how many

you could ask for and how often you could ask for them because there were some people who frankly

were abusing the service who were getting cds that they just didn't need to get they had a fast

enough internet connection to go and download Ubuntu they were requesting cds way too often

and eventually all good things have to come to an end now i know that today people like to meme on

Ubuntu oh snaps they're so stupid why would anybody like snaps, Mir what a weird time that was

the Ubuntu Edge phone yeah they did try to do that and look all of this stuff is fun but it

really was an important distro and having the ship it model really made it difficult to compete

with Ubuntu if you're in the market for getting a Linux cd because now you not only had to compete

with Ubuntu on making a better distro which frankly you probably didn't have the resources to do so

now you had to outcompete them in price you had to either offer it for free or give people a good

enough reason that they would want to pay for it which if i'm being honest you probably weren't

going to do because you were not being bankrolled by Mark Shuttleworth who sold thought consulting

for 500 million then formed HBD Venture Capital before canonical like Mark was already incredibly

successful before Canonical even started with all this being said it should be incredibly clear

how the commercial user distro just doesn't exist anymore you didn't have infinite resources

you didn't have an incredible distro that revolutionized the times other distros also

kept getting better that's the important thing this is another reason why it's not entirely just

Ubuntu distros like Fedora started the form distros based on arch started the form all of these

other distros started the form around it and because Ubuntu had completely killed off the

ability to sell the distro and make money that way they started forming around the idea of nobody's

going to be paying for this anyway so we need to find a way to make money in other means if your

System76 selling hardware if your other projects donations or sponsors or other things like that

and then as internet speeds got faster and faster and faster and these free distros were now available

why would somebody who has PopOS or EndeavorOS or Fedora or obviously Ubuntu why would that

regular person who's just a Linux desktop user ever want to go and pay for distro directly

why would somebody who has access to PopOS, OpenSUSE, Mint, Fedora, EndeavourOS, Arch Linux if that's

the direction you want to go debian if you want to do that menjaro and of course Ubuntu why would

that person ever pay for the distro directly what is the value add maybe they'll buy individual

pieces of software maybe they'll donate to a software project maybe they'll donate to a distro

but buying the distro well there's all of these other free ones that exist why would i buy your

distro and let's say you do make a distro worth buying let's say it's some specially configured

distro that works a certain way things like that well it's probably still using the software that

every other distro has access to so if you do something really crazy that's so much better

why wouldn't all of these other free distros do the exact same thing we are now at a point where

we have all of these really strong free distros that even though the death might have been started

by Ubuntu because there is so much stuff out there that also competes in this space now

they also make it basically impossible for anybody to even try to compete in a commercial

user distro but let me know do you think it is at all possible for a new distro to try and compete

for the desktop user audience as a commercial distro yes obviously in the enterprise space again

that's very different but for you and me as a desktop user do you think it is possible and if

it is what would they need to do i'd love to know so if you liked the video go like the video and if

you really liked the video and you want to become one of these amazing people over here you've got a

Patreon, SubscribeStar, LiberaPay linked in the description down below that's going to be it from me and

would you buy a commercial distro