So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really?
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September 06, 25
スライド概要
MiniDebConf Japan 2025で発表した資料です。
https://tokyodebian-team.pages.debian.net/minidebconf-japan-2025/
Ubuntu Japanese LoCo Team member
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So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? Mitsuya Shibata Ubuntu Japanese Team SOUM Corporation 2025-09-06 So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 1 / 41
Today’s topics Do you know Ubuntu? So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 2 / 41
Today’s topics • What is Ubuntu? • The basic differences of Debian and Ubuntu for users • What to know when carrying Debian fixes into Ubuntu So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 3 / 41
Today’s topics • What is Ubuntu? • The basic differences of Debian and Ubuntu for users • What to know when carrying Debian fixes into Ubuntu So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 3 / 41
Today’s topics • What is Ubuntu? • The basic differences of Debian and Ubuntu for users • What to know when carrying Debian fixes into Ubuntu So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 3 / 41
About me • I’m a member of the Ubuntu Japanese LoCo team. • I’m an embedded engineer at SOUM Corporation in Japan. • I write various articles about Ubuntu in Japanese. • Ubuntu Weekly Recipe: https://gihyo.jp/list/group/Ubuntu-Weekly-Recipe • Ubuntu 日和: https://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/column/ubuntu/ • Debian has articles too. For instance, this one was written by uwabami-san: 「Debian 13 “Trixie” 登場！ Ubuntu ユーザーが押えておくべき新機能と変更点」1 1 https://gihyo.jp/admin/serial/01/ubuntu-recipe/0874 So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 4 / 41
About me • SOUM Corp.1 is a Logo Sponsor of MiniDebConf Japan 2025 • Ubuntu: launched in 2004, now 21 years old • Debian: launched in 1993, now 32 years old • SOUM: launched in 1984, now 41 years old • Started as a “Unix-only” company, still mostly Linux/BSD work today • We’re hiring (new grads & mid-career), come talk to us! 1 https://www.soum.co.jp/ So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 5 / 41
What was Ubuntu in 2004? • First release: Ubuntu 4.10 (Oct 2004) • Mark Shuttleworth’s comment: “Ubuntu is a new Linux distribution that brings together the breadth of Debian with a fast and easy install, regular releases (every 6 months), ...” So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 7 / 41
What was Ubuntu in 2004? • First release: Ubuntu 4.10 (Oct 2004) • Mark Shuttleworth’s comment: “Ubuntu is a new Linux distribution that brings together the breadth of Debian with a fast and easy install, regular releases (every 6 months), ...” In short: Ubuntu is Debian with easy install + 6-month releases So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 7 / 41
What was Ubuntu in 2004? So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 7 / 41
Mark Shuttleworth • Founder of Ubuntu and Canonical 1 https://nm.debian.org/process/1074/ So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 8 / 41
Mark Shuttleworth • Founder of Ubuntu and Canonical • SABDFL = “Self-Appointed Benevolent Dictator for Life” 1 https://nm.debian.org/process/1074/ So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 8 / 41
Mark Shuttleworth • Founder of Ubuntu and Canonical • SABDFL = “Self-Appointed Benevolent Dictator for Life” • The (probably only) Debian Developer, emeritus1 who went to space 1 https://nm.debian.org/process/1074/ So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 8 / 41
Mark Shuttleworth • Founder of Ubuntu and Canonical • SABDFL = “Self-Appointed Benevolent Dictator for Life” • The (probably only) Debian Developer, emeritus1 who went to space • That is, a billionaire with the freedom to do what he wants 1 https://nm.debian.org/process/1074/ So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 8 / 41
Mark Shuttleworth • Founder of Ubuntu and Canonical • SABDFL = “Self-Appointed Benevolent Dictator for Life” • The (probably only) Debian Developer, emeritus1 who went to space • That is, a billionaire with the freedom to do what he wants • At DebConf 4 (2004), he talked: “Cosmonaut Training and Space Flights” 1 https://nm.debian.org/process/1074/ So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 8 / 41
Mark Shuttleworth • Founder of Ubuntu and Canonical • SABDFL = “Self-Appointed Benevolent Dictator for Life” • The (probably only) Debian Developer, emeritus1 who went to space • That is, a billionaire with the freedom to do what he wants • At DebConf 4 (2004), he talked: “Cosmonaut Training and Space Flights” • In the event, dropped hints about a “Super Secret Debian Startup” 1 https://nm.debian.org/process/1074/ So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 8 / 41
Super Secret Debian Startup • July 2004: rumors of a new Debian-based company fixing RC bugs1 • The company’s name is “Canonical” • But the distro was still called “no-name-yet” 1 https://lists.debian.org/debian-devel/2004/07/msg01659.html So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 9 / 41
Over 20 years later... • It’s always the Year of the Linux Desktop #TheYearOfTheLinuxDesktop • Still doing 6-month releases • Established as the “beginner-friendly” Linux desktop • Widely used on servers too • Added Long Term Support (5 or 10 or 12 years) • Added commercial support • Even Windows now officially provides an Ubuntu environment • Tried many things, and sparked controversies along the way So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 10 / 41
Over 20 years later... • It’s always the Year of the Linux Desktop #TheYearOfTheLinuxDesktop • Still doing 6-month releases • Established as the “beginner-friendly” Linux desktop • Widely used on servers too • Added Long Term Support (5 or 10 or 12 years) • Added commercial support • Even Windows now officially provides an Ubuntu environment • Tried many things, and sparked controversies along the way So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 10 / 41
Over 20 years later... • It’s always the Year of the Linux Desktop #TheYearOfTheLinuxDesktop • Still doing 6-month releases • Established as the “beginner-friendly” Linux desktop • Widely used on servers too • Added Long Term Support (5 or 10 or 12 years) • Added commercial support • Even Windows now officially provides an Ubuntu environment • Tried many things, and sparked controversies along the way So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 10 / 41
Over 20 years later... • It’s always the Year of the Linux Desktop #TheYearOfTheLinuxDesktop • Still doing 6-month releases • Established as the “beginner-friendly” Linux desktop • Widely used on servers too • Added Long Term Support (5 or 10 or 12 years) • Added commercial support • Even Windows now officially provides an Ubuntu environment • Tried many things, and sparked controversies along the way So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 10 / 41
Over 20 years later... • It’s always the Year of the Linux Desktop #TheYearOfTheLinuxDesktop • Still doing 6-month releases • Established as the “beginner-friendly” Linux desktop • Widely used on servers too • Added Long Term Support (5 or 10 or 12 years) • Added commercial support • Even Windows now officially provides an Ubuntu environment • Tried many things, and sparked controversies along the way So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 10 / 41
Over 20 years later... • It’s always the Year of the Linux Desktop #TheYearOfTheLinuxDesktop • Still doing 6-month releases • Established as the “beginner-friendly” Linux desktop • Widely used on servers too • Added Long Term Support (5 or 10 or 12 years) • Added commercial support • Even Windows now officially provides an Ubuntu environment • Tried many things, and sparked controversies along the way So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 10 / 41
Over 20 years later... • It’s always the Year of the Linux Desktop #TheYearOfTheLinuxDesktop • Still doing 6-month releases • Established as the “beginner-friendly” Linux desktop • Widely used on servers too • Added Long Term Support (5 or 10 or 12 years) • Added commercial support • Even Windows now officially provides an Ubuntu environment • Tried many things, and sparked controversies along the way So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 10 / 41
Over 20 years later... • It’s always the Year of the Linux Desktop #TheYearOfTheLinuxDesktop • Still doing 6-month releases • Established as the “beginner-friendly” Linux desktop • Widely used on servers too • Added Long Term Support (5 or 10 or 12 years) • Added commercial support • Even Windows now officially provides an Ubuntu environment • Tried many things, and sparked controversies along the way So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 10 / 41
What is Ubuntu today? • A Debian-based Linux distribution • One of the first choices when starting with Linux So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 11 / 41
Debian for Ubuntu Developers From Ubuntu Wiki:1 • Ubuntu is Debian-based • Bugs fixed in Ubuntu should also be reported in Debian BTS • Fewer Ubuntu-only changes = better for both Debian and Ubuntu • So Ubuntu devs should always think about Debian too 1 https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Debian/ForUbuntuDevelopers So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 12 / 41
Debian for Ubuntu Developers From Ubuntu Wiki:1 • Ubuntu is Debian-based • Bugs fixed in Ubuntu should also be reported in Debian BTS • Fewer Ubuntu-only changes = better for both Debian and Ubuntu • So Ubuntu devs should always think about Debian too That’s the ideal, reality is often different... 1 https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Debian/ForUbuntuDevelopers So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 12 / 41
The differences of Debian and Ubuntu So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 13 / 41
The Policy Debian Ubuntu Software set Freedom of choice Easy for beginners Release Quality-based (when ready) Time-based (6 months) Architectures As many as possible Fewer, major ones Proprietary SW Avoid if possible Include if needed Originality Consolidates existing Invents new stuff So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 14 / 41
The Policy Debian Ubuntu Software set Freedom of choice Easy for beginners Release Quality-based (when ready) Time-based (6 months) Architectures As many as possible Fewer, major ones Proprietary SW Avoid if possible Include if needed Originality Consolidates existing Invents new stuff So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 15 / 41
Ease of use over customizability • Must work “out of the box” for beginners • Minimal install steps • Fixed software set & configs for easy to use • “If GNOME is not your cup of tea, there’re other flavors for you.” So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 16 / 41
The Policy Debian Ubuntu Software set Freedom of choice Easy for beginners Release Quality-based (when ready) Time-based (6 months) Architectures As many as possible Fewer, major ones Proprietary SW Avoid if possible Include if needed Originality Consolidates existing Invents new stuff So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 17 / 41
Time-based releases • Rule 1: Never miss the release date So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 18 / 41
Time-based releases • Rule 1: Never miss the release date • Rule 2: If it’s broken, document it So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 18 / 41
Time-based releases • Rule 1: Never miss the release date • Rule 2: If it’s broken, document it • Rule 3: If it’s still broken, fix it after release So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 18 / 41
Time-based releases • Rule 1: Never miss the release date • Rule 2: If it’s broken, document it • Rule 3: If it’s still broken, fix it after release • Rule 4: If it’s really broken, fix it right before release So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 18 / 41
The example of “really broken” One day before Ubuntu 11.10 release: • Oct 12, 11:00: DBus Machine ID bug reported1 . • Oct 12, 13:00: Fixed this bug. • Oct 12, 15:00: Release image is rebuilt. • Oct 13, 13:00: Ubuntu 11.10 was released! 1 https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/dbus/+bug/872788 So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 19 / 41
The Policy Debian Ubuntu Software set Freedom of choice Easy for beginners Release Quality-based (when ready) Time-based (6 months) Architectures As many as possible Fewer, major ones Proprietary SW Avoid if possible Include if needed Originality Consolidates existing Invents new stuff So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 20 / 41
Supported Architectures • Ubuntu 24.04 LTS: amd64, arm64, ppc64el, riscv64, s390x (only 5) • Debian 13: 7 officially, and more unofficial ports So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 21 / 41
The Policy Debian Ubuntu Software set Freedom of choice Easy for beginners Release Quality-based (when ready) Time-based (6 months) Architectures As many as possible Fewer, major ones Proprietary SW Avoid if possible Include if needed Originality Consolidates existing Invents new stuff So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 22 / 41
The Policy Debian Ubuntu Software set Freedom of choice Easy for beginners Release Quality-based (when ready) Time-based (6 months) Architectures As many as possible Fewer, major ones Proprietary SW Avoid if possible Include if needed Originality Consolidates existing Invents new stuff So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 23 / 41
Cut to the Chase Let’s list the points where Ubuntu’s development differs from Debian. • If you fix Debian, sooner or later Ubuntu will get fixed too • If you’re not sure how things work in Ubuntu, just fix Debian first! • It’s totally fine to treat Debian as the upstream! So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 25 / 41
What happens in just 6 short months? • 6 months before release: Announce the open for development1 • Decide on a code name • Set release schedule2 • Toolchain upload and prepare Launchpad • Automatically sync to Debian sid 1 1 https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/ubuntu-devel/2025-May/043348.html https://discourse.ubuntu.com/t/36462 So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 26 / 41
What happens in just 6 short months? • 6 months before release: Announce the open for development1 • Decide on a code name • Set release schedule2 • Toolchain upload and prepare Launchpad • Automatically sync to Debian sid • 2 months before: • Debian Import Freeze, Feature Freeze • Import new (and big) features • Fixes many bugs, and translations 1 1 https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/ubuntu-devel/2025-May/043348.html https://discourse.ubuntu.com/t/36462 So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 26 / 41
What happens in just 6 short months? • 6 months before release: Announce the open for development1 • Decide on a code name • Set release schedule2 • Toolchain upload and prepare Launchpad • Automatically sync to Debian sid • 2 months before: • Debian Import Freeze, Feature Freeze • Import new (and big) features • Fixes many bugs, and translations • 1 month before: Beta / Kernel Freeze 1 1 https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/ubuntu-devel/2025-May/043348.html https://discourse.ubuntu.com/t/36462 So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 26 / 41
What happens in just 6 short months? • 6 months before release: Announce the open for development1 • Decide on a code name • Set release schedule2 • Toolchain upload and prepare Launchpad • Automatically sync to Debian sid • 2 months before: • Debian Import Freeze, Feature Freeze • Import new (and big) features • Fixes many bugs, and translations • 1 month before: Beta / Kernel Freeze • 1 week before: Final Freeze 1 1 https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/ubuntu-devel/2025-May/043348.html https://discourse.ubuntu.com/t/36462 So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 26 / 41
What happens in just 6 short months? • 6 months before release: Announce the open for development1 • Decide on a code name • Set release schedule2 • Toolchain upload and prepare Launchpad • Automatically sync to Debian sid • 2 months before: • Debian Import Freeze, Feature Freeze • Import new (and big) features • Fixes many bugs, and translations • 1 month before: Beta / Kernel Freeze • 1 week before: Final Freeze • Release! 1 1 https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/ubuntu-devel/2025-May/043348.html https://discourse.ubuntu.com/t/36462 So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 26 / 41
What is Launchpad? • Core platform and web UI for Ubuntu development1 • Source code, bugs, releases management • Translations • Show package information and diffs for each releases • Package repos (PPA) • Build packages across all supported Ubuntu CPU architectures • Can be used for non-Ubuntu projects too • Self-host possible 1 https://launchpad.net/ So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 27 / 41
What is Launchpad? • Core platform and web UI for Ubuntu development1 • Source code, bugs, releases management • Translations • Show package information and diffs for each releases • Package repos (PPA) • Build packages across all supported Ubuntu CPU architectures • Can be used for non-Ubuntu projects too • Self-host possible Launchpad is the software that wanted to become what GitHub is today, ... but never quite did. 1 https://launchpad.net/ So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 27 / 41
Debian’s web UI1 vs Launchpad 1 Debian Ubuntu Source code salsa.debian.org Launchpad Bugs bugs.debian.org Launchpad Package info tracker.debian.org Launchpad Translations (use upstream?) Launchpad Package repo (buildd?) Launchpad Releases (?) Launchpad Note: This slide only refers to the web UI available to contributors. So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 28 / 41
Debian’s web UI1 vs Launchpad 1 Debian Ubuntu Source code salsa.debian.org Launchpad Bugs bugs.debian.org Launchpad Package info tracker.debian.org Launchpad Translations (use upstream?) Launchpad Package repo (buildd?) Launchpad Releases (?) Launchpad Note: This slide only refers to the web UI available to contributors. So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 28 / 41
Debian’s web UI1 vs Launchpad 1 Debian Ubuntu Source code salsa.debian.org Launchpad Bugs bugs.debian.org Launchpad Package info tracker.debian.org Launchpad Translations (use upstream?) Launchpad Package repo (buildd?) Launchpad Releases (?) Launchpad Note: This slide only refers to the web UI available to contributors. So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 28 / 41
Debian’s web UI1 vs Launchpad 1 Debian Ubuntu Source code salsa.debian.org Launchpad Bugs bugs.debian.org Launchpad Package info tracker.debian.org Launchpad Translations (use upstream?) Launchpad Package repo (buildd?) Launchpad Releases (?) Launchpad Note: This slide only refers to the web UI available to contributors. So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 28 / 41
Debian’s web UI1 vs Launchpad 1 Debian Ubuntu Source code salsa.debian.org Launchpad Bugs bugs.debian.org Launchpad Package info tracker.debian.org Launchpad Translations (use upstream?) Launchpad Package repo (buildd?) Launchpad Releases (?) Launchpad Note: This slide only refers to the web UI available to contributors. So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 28 / 41
Debian’s web UI1 vs Launchpad 1 Debian Ubuntu Source code salsa.debian.org Launchpad Bugs bugs.debian.org Launchpad Package info tracker.debian.org Launchpad Translations (use upstream?) Launchpad Package repo (buildd?) Launchpad Releases (?) Launchpad Note: This slide only refers to the web UI available to contributors. So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 28 / 41
Debian’s web UI1 vs Launchpad 1 Debian Ubuntu Source code salsa.debian.org Launchpad Bugs bugs.debian.org Launchpad Package info tracker.debian.org Launchpad Translations (use upstream?) Launchpad Package repo (buildd?) Launchpad Releases (?) Launchpad Note: This slide only refers to the web UI available to contributors. So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 28 / 41
Debian’s web UI1 vs Launchpad 1 Debian Ubuntu Source code salsa.debian.org Launchpad Bugs bugs.debian.org Launchpad Package info tracker.debian.org Launchpad Translations (use upstream?) Launchpad Package repo (buildd?) Launchpad Releases (?) Launchpad Note: This slide only refers to the web UI available to contributors. So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 28 / 41
Debian’s web UI1 vs Launchpad 1 Debian Ubuntu Source code salsa.debian.org Launchpad Bugs bugs.debian.org Launchpad Package info tracker.debian.org Launchpad Translations (use upstream?) Launchpad Package repo (buildd?) Launchpad Releases (?) Launchpad Note: This slide only refers to the web UI available to contributors. So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 28 / 41
Debian’s web UI1 vs Launchpad 1 Debian Ubuntu Source code salsa.debian.org Launchpad Bugs bugs.debian.org Launchpad Package info tracker.debian.org Launchpad Translations (use upstream?) Launchpad Package repo (buildd?) Launchpad Releases (?) Launchpad Note: This slide only refers to the web UI available to contributors. So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 28 / 41
Debian’s web UI1 vs Launchpad 1 Debian Ubuntu Source code salsa.debian.org Launchpad Bugs bugs.debian.org Launchpad Package info tracker.debian.org Launchpad Translations (use upstream?) Launchpad Package repo (buildd?) Launchpad Releases (?) Launchpad Note: This slide only refers to the web UI available to contributors. So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 28 / 41
Debian’s web UI1 vs Launchpad 1 Debian Ubuntu Source code salsa.debian.org Launchpad Bugs bugs.debian.org Launchpad Package info tracker.debian.org Launchpad Translations (use upstream?) Launchpad Package repo (buildd?) Launchpad Releases (?) Launchpad Note: This slide only refers to the web UI available to contributors. So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 28 / 41
How does Ubuntu sync with Debian? • Sync: identical to Debian package • Merge: Ubuntu patch applied • Ubuntu-only: package not in Debian, or newer in Ubuntu • Packages that exist only in Ubuntu • Packages that exist in Debian but are maintained separately in Ubuntu • Packages that exist in Debian but are newer in Ubuntu So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 29 / 41
How does Ubuntu sync with Debian? ソフトウェアの バージョン ubuntuリビジョン： Ubuntu側での修正バージョン A:X.Y.Z-MubuntuN エポック （省略可能） debianリビジョン： Debian側での修正バージョン パッケージバージョンの例 evince：42.1-3 bash：5.1-6ubuntu1 python3：3.10.4-0ubuntu2 vim：2:8.2.3995-1ubuntu2 So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? ; 2025-09-06 30 / 41
Sync: fetch the source package as-is and rebuild it • Pull new packages/versions from Debian sid • Automatic until Debian Import Freeze • After Debian Import Freeze: • exceptions possible via ticket on Launchpad • or just use “requestsync” command So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 31 / 41
Ubuntu patches & Merge-o-Matic • If a package have any Ubuntu patches, human review required • Merge-o-Matic1 tool auto-applies patches, and show its result • Ubuntu developers check the result and do merge 1 https://merges.ubuntu.com/ So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 32 / 41
Ubuntu patches & Merge-o-Matic • If a package have any Ubuntu patches, human review required • Merge-o-Matic1 tool auto-applies patches, and show its result • Ubuntu developers check the result and do merge 1 https://merges.ubuntu.com/ So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 32 / 41
Who maintains packages? • Ubuntu: no per-package Maintainer like Debian • All packages “owned” by Ubuntu Developers team • Anyone can propose fixes (like NMU in Debian?) • Attach debdiff in ticket (traditional) • Submit Merge Proposal in git (modern) • The ubuntu-sponsors team reviews and uploads it • PPU1 : per-package upload rights • MOTU2 : upload rights for universe • Core Dev3 : full upload rights 1 PPU: Per Package Uploaders MOTU: Master of the Universe 3 Core Dev: Ubuntu Core Developers 2 So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 33 / 41
Who maintains packages? • Ubuntu: no per-package Maintainer like Debian • All packages “owned” by Ubuntu Developers team • Anyone can propose fixes (like NMU in Debian?) • Attach debdiff in ticket (traditional) • Submit Merge Proposal in git (modern) • The ubuntu-sponsors team reviews and uploads it • PPU1 : per-package upload rights • MOTU2 : upload rights for universe • Core Dev3 : full upload rights 1 PPU: Per Package Uploaders MOTU: Master of the Universe 3 Core Dev: Ubuntu Core Developers 2 So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 33 / 41
Who maintains packages? • Ubuntu: no per-package Maintainer like Debian • All packages “owned” by Ubuntu Developers team • Anyone can propose fixes (like NMU in Debian?) • Attach debdiff in ticket (traditional) • Submit Merge Proposal in git (modern) • The ubuntu-sponsors team reviews and uploads it • PPU1 : per-package upload rights • MOTU2 : upload rights for universe • Core Dev3 : full upload rights 1 PPU: Per Package Uploaders MOTU: Master of the Universe 3 Core Dev: Ubuntu Core Developers 2 So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 33 / 41
What are main and universe? • main: supported FLOSS by Ubuntu team • restricted: proprietary drivers needed for hardware • universe: community-supported FLOSS • multiverse: non-free, unsupported stuff The installation image includes only packages from main/restricted. To move a package from universe to main, it must pass a review process called MIR1 . 1 MIR: Main Inclusion Review So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 34 / 41
When do Debian fixes land in pre-released Ubuntu? If no Ubuntu delta: • Likely before Debian Import Freeze (about 2 months prior) • Version upgrades only before Feature Freeze • Bugfixes are possible even late with freeze exceptions If Ubuntu delta exists: • Depends on who handles the merge • Still possible for bugfixes near release Post-release: similar to Debian backports/security updates: you need to file bug in Launchpad, and link to Debian BTS So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 35 / 41
When do Debian fixes land in pre-released Ubuntu? If no Ubuntu delta: • Likely before Debian Import Freeze (about 2 months prior) • Version upgrades only before Feature Freeze • Bugfixes are possible even late with freeze exceptions If Ubuntu delta exists: • Depends on who handles the merge • Still possible for bugfixes near release Post-release: similar to Debian backports/security updates: you need to file bug in Launchpad, and link to Debian BTS So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 35 / 41
When do Debian fixes land in pre-released Ubuntu? If no Ubuntu delta: • Likely before Debian Import Freeze (about 2 months prior) • Version upgrades only before Feature Freeze • Bugfixes are possible even late with freeze exceptions If Ubuntu delta exists: • Depends on who handles the merge • Still possible for bugfixes near release Post-release: similar to Debian backports/security updates: you need to file bug in Launchpad, and link to Debian BTS So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 35 / 41
Practical advice Want your fix in Ubuntu 26.04 LTS? • It’s about time to start fixing bugs and upgrading in Debian • Ideally, eliminate the differences with Ubuntu when doing so • If it lands in sid by around Jan 2026, it’s easier for Ubuntu to pick it up So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 36 / 41
How to check Ubuntu differences? • Debian Tracker shows Ubuntu patches • How to fetch Ubuntu source: $ sudo apt install ubuntu-dev-tools $ pull-lp-source <SRC PKG> <RELEASE CODE NAME> • On Ubuntu: “git-ubuntu” is another option So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 37 / 41
How to check Ubuntu differences? • Debian Tracker shows Ubuntu patches • How to fetch Ubuntu source: $ sudo apt install ubuntu-dev-tools $ pull-lp-source <SRC PKG> <RELEASE CODE NAME> • On Ubuntu: “git-ubuntu” is another option So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 37 / 41
How to check Ubuntu differences? • Debian Tracker shows Ubuntu patches • How to fetch Ubuntu source: $ sudo apt install ubuntu-dev-tools $ pull-lp-source <SRC PKG> <RELEASE CODE NAME> • On Ubuntu: “git-ubuntu” is another option So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 37 / 41
Conclusion • Ubuntu is a Debian-based distribution So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 39 / 41
Conclusion • Ubuntu is a Debian-based distribution • Fixes in Debian will eventually1 trickle down to Ubuntu 1 in astronomical timescale So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 39 / 41
Conclusion • Ubuntu is a Debian-based distribution • Fixes in Debian will eventually1 trickle down to Ubuntu • If you want your fix to land in Ubuntu, here’s your quest: 1 in astronomical timescale So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 39 / 41
Conclusion • Ubuntu is a Debian-based distribution • Fixes in Debian will eventually1 trickle down to Ubuntu • If you want your fix to land in Ubuntu, here’s your quest: • Patch Debian or upstream first 1 in astronomical timescale So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 39 / 41
Conclusion • Ubuntu is a Debian-based distribution • Fixes in Debian will eventually1 trickle down to Ubuntu • If you want your fix to land in Ubuntu, here’s your quest: • Patch Debian or upstream first • Hunt down a wild Ubuntu developer in their natural habitat 1 in astronomical timescale So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 39 / 41
Conclusion • Ubuntu is a Debian-based distribution • Fixes in Debian will eventually1 trickle down to Ubuntu • If you want your fix to land in Ubuntu, here’s your quest: • Patch Debian or upstream first • Hunt down a wild Ubuntu developer in their natural habitat • Charm them, bribe them with beer to do the Ubuntu-side magic for you 1 in astronomical timescale So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 39 / 41
Conclusion • Ubuntu is a Debian-based distribution • Fixes in Debian will eventually1 trickle down to Ubuntu • If you want your fix to land in Ubuntu, here’s your quest: • Patch Debian or upstream first • Hunt down a wild Ubuntu developer in their natural habitat • Charm them, bribe them with beer to do the Ubuntu-side magic for you • If the hunt fails, well..., read the Ubuntu docs2 1 2 in astronomical timescale https://canonical-ubuntu-packaging-guide.readthedocs-hosted.com/en/latest/ So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 39 / 41
Conclusion • Ubuntu is a Debian-based distribution • Fixes in Debian will eventually1 trickle down to Ubuntu • If you want your fix to land in Ubuntu, here’s your quest: • Patch Debian or upstream first • Hunt down a wild Ubuntu developer in their natural habitat • Charm them, bribe them with beer to do the Ubuntu-side magic for you • If the hunt fails, well..., read the Ubuntu docs2 1 2 in astronomical timescale https://canonical-ubuntu-packaging-guide.readthedocs-hosted.com/en/latest/ So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 39 / 41
XDDC: Cross Distro Developers Camp It is a mutual support group to share knowledge about Linux distributions, especially regarding Japanese language support. • Registration URL: https://xddc.connpass.com/ • Report: https://dictoss.github.io/xddc/ So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 40 / 41
GNOME.Asia 2025 • GNOME.Asia 2025 will be held in Tokyo, Japan. • They are now calling for speakers1 . The deadline is September 10, so hurry up! • They are also looking for local staff. 1 https://events.gnome.org/event/303/abstracts/ So... What is Ubuntu to Debian, Really? 2025-09-06 41 / 41