We've just uploaded to SourceForge our first ever Debian-based virtual appliance: a beta of TurnKey Core on the rock stable Lenny release.

It has about the same features as the Ubuntu 10.04 based Core beta we released a couple of weeks ago with a few minor exceptions (e.g., grub instead of grub-pc, byobu not included).

Ubuntu-Debian chimeras considered harmful

Most users probably don't realize it but a handful of our current crop of "Ubuntu based" appliances are actually Ubuntu-Debian chimeras. The package management system (APT) is technically capable of mixing packages from different distributions. We took advantage of that to configure some TurnKey appliances to get security updates directly from Debian for certain packages which were not supported on Ubuntu.

Unfortunately it's a relatively complicated hack that relies on poorly documented, rarely used, and consequently buggy APT functionality.

It hasn't back-fired yet, but we'd rather not wait for that to happen.

TurnKey appliances are configured to auto-update security fixes by default so safety and robustness is a key concern. We don't want to risk breaking anything in the future. Better safe than sorry!

So from now on, no more chimeras. The upcoming Ubuntu Lucid based appliances will be 100% Ubuntu, even if that means some packages don't get security updates.

Are Debian based appliances worth the trouble?

This brings us to our dilemma. Guaranteed security updates for all packages are a big deal, at least for us. And only Debian provides that.

Which got us thinking. How much extra work would it take to also build a Debian-based TurnKey Core? And would the interest from the community justify the effort?

Bottom line: it was a bit harder than we anticipated but we made it happen and now we need the community's help in figuring out if it matters.

Though we haven't committed to it yet, we are seriously considering Debian-based builds of all TurnKey Linux appliances. But that depends on the feedback we get from you and the level of interest in this.

Frankly, we don't have the resources to thoroughly test both Debian and Ubuntu based builds of all TurnKey appliances.

That means to pull this off we'll need all the help we can get testing Betas, providing feedback on issues that come up, filing and triaging bug reports, etc.

If you care about TurnKey on Debian, we'll need you to step up to the plate and help us make it happen.

Ubuntu vs. Debian: the story so far...

So far TurnKey has been known as an Ubuntu based open source project so this move towards Debian may come as a surprise to some, but those of you who have been following closely know that Debian support has actually been in our sights since TurnKey's conception.

One of our first polls asked: would you prefer virtual appliances based on Ubuntu or Debian?

Results so far (based on 763 votes):

62%: Ubuntu for both client and sever roles

23%: Debian for server roles, Ubuntu for client roles

15%: Debian for both client and server roles

Despite a clear preference for Ubuntu (which is better known due to its popularity on the desktop), a significant 38% still prefer Debian for server roles.

This resonates with us because when TurnKey was still on the drawing board a couple of years ago we debated Ubuntu vs. Debian extensively. In the end Ubuntu won by a slim margin but it was a tough call!

I'll talk a little bit about the thought process behind that because despite a couple of years going by the big picture hasn't really changed.

Back then we were mainly using Ubuntu on our desktops and Debian on our servers and frankly Debian seemed like a more natural choice for a server-oriented virtual appliance library.

The "main" problem with Ubuntu is that only a subset of packages in the "main" component are officially supported with security updates.

By contrast, Debian supported all 25,000 packages with carefully backported, well tested security fixes that could be safely applied to a production system. Debian is also rock solid in terms of stability, which is something you usually want in a server operating system, even when it comes at the expense of having the latest package versions.

On the other hand Ubuntu 8.04 (Hardy), a Long Term Support version had just been released and Debian Lenny was still a work in progress. Stability comes at a price, and it's one of the main reasons for Debian's notoriously slow release cycle.

But we didn't want to wait who knew how long or start a new project on an old distribution...

Plus, we shared Ubuntu's values regarding making open source accessible to everyone, not just savvy experts. That meant encouraging a community atmosphere in which everyone was welcome and treated with respect. Which is why we adopted the Ubuntu Code of Conduct. Unfortunately, the Debian community had a reputation for being more withdrawn and elitist.

Ubuntu's popular appeal was also a factor. Let's face it, today Ubuntu has far better name recognition than Debian, though I think that's mostly due to superior marketing and more effective leadership. Having a wealthy benevolent dictator that can bankroll the operation definitely has a few advantages (and disadvantages!).

But keep in mind that though Ubuntu and Debian do inevitably compete for users in some areas, they aren't really in direct opposition. In fact, every 6 months a new version of Ubuntu begins its life from a snapshot of the unstable Debian version in development.

Certainly Ubuntu deserves credit for pushing the envelope in areas like usability, but it's Debian's self-governed volunteer workforce of over 1600 developers that do much of the unglamorous heavy lifting.

Long story short, try the beta and tell us what you think. Obviously we have immense respect for both distributions and we'd like to hear your views on where we should take it from here.