Debian gets Mono Software via Tomboy
Ever since more and more Mono programmed applications such as Banshee, Gnome Do, and F Sport took over the Gnome desktop, the opposition to the .NET implementation has been getting more and more up in arms.
The dispute surrounding the integration of Mono in distributions has now reached Debian, after a lengthy debate among Ubuntu users as to whether Mono applications should be included with Ubuntu. Josselin Mouette, the developer of the note taking application Tomboy has made his software a part of Gnome on Debian Squeeze.
With Gnome, Debian users will not only be using Tomboy, but also Mono. Some Linux users see this chain of events as evil-doings because they believe that Microsoft will impose its patent provisions on Mono and thus potentially cause harm to Linux. The programming language used here is free implementation of .Net which the Gnome innovator Miguel de Icaza also began with.
The Tomboy implementation of Debian is further complicated by circumstances surrounding the C++ basedGnote. This exact clone of Tomboy was developed by Hubert Figuière and poses the question as to why the slimmer Gnote was not included in the distribution instead of Tomboy with its dependence of 40 MB. Instead, the developers intend to “perhaps... [write] new code which can later be ported to C++ in order to run faster, consume less memory and support more architectures”, according to Millan in his blog.
Josselin Mouette takes theopposite stance. Tomboy is allegedly an inclusion due to lack of space, but not a full on part of Debian. The problem has apparently been solved in that Tomboy is now supposed to be slimmer and where necessary, Gnote can be included. In addition, the possibility to decide which software Debian takes on is still open. The Tomboy circle also argue that Gnote was only written to off set the Mono dependencies. When included in the standard installation, the program has fulfilled its purpose, but there is no reason for further development to occur.
Mono developer Jo Shieldsstates reasons why Microsoft is unlikely to go up against Mono and argues from the perspective of the developer: Mono is supposed to be ideal when developing quick and easy applications and has advantages over Python, Java, C, and C++. This, however, plays little role for the inclusion in a distribution.Here, it is considered more important as to whether Mono has good applications. Shields accuses Mono opponents of complaining about Mono as hypocrites unable to write their own comparable applications in other program languages.
Comments
comments powered by DisqusSubscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Gnome OS Transitioning Toward a General-Purpose Distro
If you're looking for the perfectly vanilla take on the Gnome desktop, Gnome OS might be for you.
-
Fedora 41 Released with New Features
If you're a Fedora fan or just looking for a Linux distribution to help you migrate from Windows, Fedora 41 might be just the ticket.
-
AlmaLinux OS Kitten 10 Gives Power Users a Sneak Preview
If you're looking to kick the tires of AlmaLinux's upstream version, the developers have a purrfect solution.
-
Gnome 47.1 Released with a Few Fixes
The latest release of the Gnome desktop is all about fixing a few nagging issues and not about bringing new features into the mix.
-
System76 Unveils an Ampere-Powered Thelio Desktop
If you're looking for a new desktop system for developing autonomous driving and software-defined vehicle solutions. System76 has you covered.
-
VirtualBox 7.1.4 Includes Initial Support for Linux kernel 6.12
The latest version of VirtualBox has arrived and it not only adds initial support for kernel 6.12 but another feature that will make using the virtual machine tool much easier.
-
New Slimbook EVO with Raw AMD Ryzen Power
If you're looking for serious power in a 14" ultrabook that is powered by Linux, Slimbook has just the thing for you.
-
The Gnome Foundation Struggling to Stay Afloat
The foundation behind the Gnome desktop environment is having to go through some serious belt-tightening due to continued financial problems.
-
Thousands of Linux Servers Infected with Stealth Malware Since 2021
Perfctl is capable of remaining undetected, which makes it dangerous and hard to mitigate.
-
Halcyon Creates Anti-Ransomware Protection for Linux
As more Linux systems are targeted by ransomware, Halcyon is stepping up its protection.
Gnote is better than Tomboy, so why did Debian pick Tomboy?
So why is Tomboy included in the distro by default, instead of Gnote? Does somebody have an agenda here?