Default package selection

There has been some recent drama over Canonical’s decision to not include Gimp in the default Ubuntu installation. The importance of this decision has been blown way out of proportion, and relates to one of the most overrated issues in modern distro wars: default package selection.

Any distro will let you choose which packages to use, both before and after installation. If your dislike of the default set in any way affects your experience, it’s entirely self-inflicted and easily mended. Allow me to illustrate:

Rejecting Ubuntu because it uses Gnome is like rejecting OS X because it's purple

The default package set is like the serving suggestion on the cracker box. It’s there for inspiration – not to limit you.