The Kubuntu Team have unceremoniously decided to kill off Kubuntu Netbook Remix. When Kubuntu 10.10 is released this September, there will be no Kubuntu Netbook Remix. This does not however mean that Kubuntu will not be available for Netbook.

Kubuntu Netbook Remix is basically Kubuntu with the KDE Plasma Netbook interface instead of the KDE Plasma Desktop used in the desktop versions. Till Lucid Lynx, Kubuntu Desktop and Kubuntu Netbook Remix were available for download as separate ISOs.

However, from the next release of Kubuntu, i.e. Kubuntu 10.10 Maverick Meerkat, the Kubuntu Netbook Remix will not be released along with it. Rather, the Plasma Netbook package will be included in the Kubuntu Desktop ISO.  At the time installation, using some screen resolution detection algorithm, it will be automatically decided if Plasma Desktop or Plasma Netbook is to be turned on by default. There will also be an option to change it manually in the System Settings.

This decision has been taken to provide efficiency towards testing and maintenance. With one less distro to worry about, more attention can be paid towards Kubuntu 10.10. Brand dilution is also stated as a reason for this decision.

While this is a good decision from the Kubuntu Team, I think changing the desired workspace from the System Settings is not ideal. It would be better to put in it KDM. This way one can choose which one he wants before logging in.

What do you think? Would you have liked Kubuntu Netbook Remix to continue?

[source]