When to Use Debian

Debian and Ubuntu

(This is hopefully a non-cheesy comparison. Most comparisons on the internet seem to be brimming with filler words, and this is my delta.)

What is Ubuntu (the Debian PoV)

• Ubuntu is a fork of Debian
• Less hostile to closed-source software
• Minimal installation - 10 GB
• Ubuntu has a lot more device drivers and installed-by-default apt packages
• I have never found a keyboard/peripheral/software that doesn’t work on Debian. (the 80-20 rule)

What is Wrong with Debian (the Ubuntu PoV)

• (Fake talk on the internet) Less boomer friendly
• Hostile to closed-source software
• Minor licensing conflicts - man gcc does not work on Debian!
• The Debian installer doesn’t have a GUI. You need an internet connection (if you’re a GUI boomer.)
• Base installation - idk but lighter

I’m sorry, you may want to close your ears now, I want a distribution to be easy to install, so that I can just get on with my life, which is mostly kernel.

… I’ve tried Ubuntu a couple of times over the years, mainly because the thing Ubuntu did so well was make Debian usable.

~ Linus Torvalds, 2007

• I disagree, by the way. Neither is difficult, but both will teach you shit that you should know.
• And Debian will rub it harder in your face.
• And I’m quoting a Windows lover, and a final-sem conversation.

I’m sure it’s much easier now.

Linus Torvalds, 2011

Other Differences

• Ubuntu solves problems that don’t exist - https://news.itsfoss.com/ubuntu-uutils-performance-issues/
• Uses snaps for Firefox and Thunderbird, I don’t know why.
• The snap store offers some non-open software not available on Debian.

My Take

Virtual Machines for Projects

• You don’t need a GUI or security updates
• I use Debian without a GUI Desktop environment - 400 MB disk, 500 MB RAM works
• Faster installation (obviously)
• Pitfall - on the “install additional software page”, use the spacebar to deselect. Enter starts installing GNOME without asking for confirmation.
• Recovering from a CLI mistake - apt install gnome or sudo tasksel.

Faster Installations - Use the CSE Mirror

• Until recently, the Debian installer could use the CSE Debian mirror and save a lot of time on the post-installation customary upgrades.
• Not anymore sob sob.

Debian is Lighter

• The non-GUI Debian installer is some 700 MB. Ubuntu 24 is 5.5 GB.
• Shuts down twice as fast - I don’t get how Ubuntu and Windows mess that up. (Nice way to end a long day.)

Actual Problems

• Neither OS supports my fingerprint sensor
• My PC doesn’t suspend properly on either. The battery drains out in ~12 hours
• man gcc and well-meaning FOSS that isn’t free by Debian standards (the DFSG)
• The Debian installer doesn’t let you try out Debian (unlike Ubuntu). You cannot connect to IITK’s WiFi through that minimal installer UI because it takes a username-password combination. So either (a) hotspot or (b) ethernet LAN.
• The Ubuntu installer (afaik) lets you connect to iitk-sec but doesn’t let you choose a mirror.

Separate Home Partition

• Whatever you choose, it is easier if /home is on a separate partition. Ubuntu and Debian can share it, and migrating will be easier.
• Read the description of man mount
• In the installer, create or select the home partition, and under “use as”, choose /home.
• You might need to (zero or one or more of these)
  1. Do this in the installer
  2. Open the Disks program and select “Take Ownership” for the partition
  3. Add a line to /etc/fstab ($ man fstab). Use the nofail option, else errors might be fatal.

Acknowledgments

• I first tried Debian because my PC had suspend-wakeup issues with Ubuntu 22. (I don’t know any actual Debian user.)
• Converted to HTML using pandoc.