I've been a linux user for several years and I've tried most of the main distros out there. For the past year, I've mostly been using Gentoo on my laptop and on a server at home. However, I have another desktop at home where I am considering installing Ubuntu for my wife to use. Right now I have Suse 9.1 on it, but it's way too slow. I havn't tried Ubuntu, yet. I do know, however, that it is Debian based, and can use all the apt-get packages that Debian uses.

So, I'm used to Gentoo portage and their ability of putting out a new ebuild in sometimes a few hours to a day after the package is released. How does Ubuntu fare with regard to this. For example, when Firefox 1.5 gets released, how long until there will be an install for Ubuntu using apt-get? I really like having bleeding edge packages on a computer. Are there any other distros out there that are as fast as Gentoo?

turn around for new packages is not nearly as fast for Ubuntu as it is for Gentoo, not if you stick with the stable repositories, but they are faster by a good shot than debian.

Ubuntu releases about every 6 months, with packages being very up-to-date.

my main reason for posting here is not to say one way or another, but to caution against using debian packages with Ubuntu. Yeah, almost all are interchangable, but not all. I think it best to stick with the Ubuntu and use multiverse if you need anything not immediatly on hand.

My family uses Ubuntu, i use Debian. but i dont mix and match becuase i have gotten into trouble that way before.

the good news if you go with Ubuntu. It is very popular, and very well supported. Just about anything you could desire to run is available..

my $.02

cheers

I also had wondered this about Ubunto. I am still quite new to Gentoo, but am enjoying the speed and the bleeding edge package releases. I dont know if I could ever go back to a distro that feels heavier than Gentoo. Its a wonderful thing

~Ryan