So ... if code is being built and published as they have, even if it doesn't have the "official" LTS designation (why is the Daily Build being published with that "LTS" label???), will the "backports" be applied to that version as updates are applied to later releases?
1 Like
I don't know.I can only go with what the Technical Board has published and they've said it won't be released as a LTS.
If I'm wrong then I'll be the first person to rejoice but it really looks like Ubuntu Mate is beyond the last nail in the coffin and it's more like the first shovel full of dirt has been thrown on it.Not a word from Martin since 10/10/2024 says a lot.
2 Likes
Not so much.
I just downloaded the latest daily ISO for Ubuntu Mate 26.04LTS and ran it in a live session and if someone out there can point out the differences between it and 25.10 I'd like to see them otherwise the only difference is in the name that I can see.
Only a moment ago that there were posts about the possibility of not getting UM in Questing Quokka: Ubuntu 25.10 (Questing Quokka) Beta released (but NOT "Ubuntu MATE")
That Patreon money could buy about 3-4 weeks of one mid-level developer's time in EU/US etc. At Wimpy's level - considerably less time, like 1-2 weeks.
If the project lived and died by Pateron money it would be so, so, so, so, SO dead a long, long, long time ago.
I just remembered that Wimpy occasionally streams. If he ever has time to return to that - I'll ask him a friendly question about what he needs to keep UM going.
3 Likes
The isoâs are automated builds and being build from the packages currently available which are maintained and uploaded by the Ubuntu packagers afaik. Thereâs no developer behind it, also the Ubuntu MATE Development room on Matrix isnât active at all.
1 Like
I just remembered that Wimpy occasionally streams. If he ever has time to return to that - I'll ask him a friendly question about what he needs to keep UM going.
What is needed to keep UM going is the same as with every open source community project: Contributers who are serious and dedicated to spend their free time to volunteer in development of that project (fixing bugs, testing, packaging etc.).
If no one is willing to step in and help out a project can become a one man show with the result of that person burning out, having less motivation and will eventually abandone it.
5 Likes
That's a little more than a moment ago,it's two months ago but either way it's very telling that there was already indecision then.
And of that I have no doubt but as we're constantly being reminded they're volunteers.They volunteered to do this of their own volition outside of their respective jobs where they get paid.Hell I read the history on how/why Ubuntu Mate came about.
As to where the donations either through Patreon or single time payments go is valid and still stands.And isn't the community at least owed an explanation as to why things are not going so well or are we supposed to find out when it's almost too late?The project leader could have at least popped in here soon after October of 2024 and said something but what we got was silence.
1 Like
... and, maybe, the workflow used for intake of coding fixes needs to incorporate an approach that allows individuals to feed the changes only as a handover to someone who merges those changes into the global code-base.
That might open the door to the "small guy" making pinpoint contributions without being overwhelmed by having to "own" their own local GitHub tree and learning a system for making submissions within a formal and structured process. The approach would imply someone who does "own" such a tree to do the merge, track it, test it, "certify" it, document it, and submit to review prior to build.
Just some thoughts "outside the box". 
1 Like
Even if a release occurs but isn't a LTS, that's not the end of the road.
Ubuntu Studio 18.04 was NOT an LTS, refer to Ubuntu 18.04 LTS release announcements, though in this case I'll provide a link to Ubuntu Studio's own
I suspect very few actual users of Ubuntu Studio 18.04 ever knew their system wasn't a LTS; as almost every unofficial reference I saw to it on social media & other sites from non-team or non-Ubuntu members always included the LTS.
3 Likes
But in the end it won't be a LTS release and it will have the standard 9 months support. So after 24.04 reaches EOL I can stay with it and use Pro for security updates but be stuck with stagnant apps other than what I've installed thru ppa/standalone .debs or do several release upgrades and deal with which almost will likely be instability issues in some form and that's provided UM still exists and if it does hope that 28.04 is rolled out as a LTS.
Not a big fan of that type of uncertainty.
2 Likes
Just a possibility/question regarding this.
Can the LTS issue be âbypassedâ by doing the following?
- Install Ubuntu 26.04 Server LTS or Ubuntu 26.04 Desktop LTS
- Install
mate-desktop
I know this defeats the purpose of the Community aspect but at least people could run MATE on an Ubuntu LTS system, I would think?
Right?
Also, it would be nice to hear a quick âwordâ from the Ubuntu MATE team or, if anything, put something on the Patreon page as nothing has been posted there since UM 24.10.
I read these things and I really, really wish I could help. If I could contribute to saving Ubuntu MATE, I would. Itâs just that I am not what they need, I am not trained in computer science or coding (my actual professional area is nowhere close to this field), and to bring me up to speed from zero, that would be impossible before 26.04. Although I guess that ship (related to LTS) has sailed.
We already went through this with 25.10 and 24.04 (Plans for 24.04 LTS?). Wimpy posted in April 2024 (notice that is the 4th month) about LTS qualification. The tea leaf reading that goes on has been shown to be a distraction time and time again.
If we want UM to go on, do we think its helpful for there to be so many forum posts with titles about the future being uncertain and that UM is dead? Active and enthusiastic users are a must for survival. What would a potential user think if they look at the community before they try it out and say "Hmm - well looks like a sinking ship I guess I won't bother"?
5 Likes
Too true! Never a good thing when the Community is constantly raising questions about the future of its platform.
3 Likes
Well, if the project lead or team doesnât post any news on the blog or forum, nor respond on the support and dev channels (irc, matrix etc.) and stay silent, it will give the exact same impression.
6 Likes
Not asking questions follows with not getting answers. It should be just the opposite, more within the community should questioning the platform's future.
And if I'm wrong and UM gets LTS qualification then great. That means someone was listening much like in the link to the thread about 24.04 that @stephematician posted, it was crickets until questions were raised.
If you don't ask questions you won't get answers.
6 Likes
Just to re-iterate for those saying it won't be an LTS because it "missed some deadline", I present to you Exhibit A ... Ubuntu MATE 24.04 qualification was real late: Ubuntu MATE LTS Re-qualification request .
It happens. People are busy. Maybe they find the time to get the LTS over the line this time, maybe not. We have no control over it. What we do have control over is whether we fixate on small pieces of information and turn it into something bigger than it is.
For those who want to see UM carry on, if you haven't read it recently, check out this page: Get Involved | Ubuntu MATE - you never know you might see something on there that you forgot about, and it makes you think "Oh, actually, I am ready to do X or Y or Z" now.
4 Likes
As i said before: Real life obligations is one thing something for which i have respect and fully understand. Focusing on other or new projects is another thing. In the latter: Make a choice. Because you just canât let a project hanging in the limbo for which youâve been taking care of for years and work on a totally new project and give that your full attention.
If a project lead/developer doesnât feel like putting any further effort in it then pass it on to someone else, if there are no people available and/or capable or interested to pick it up to continue with the project then end it.
7 Likes
From an opinion standpoint this thread has run its course for me.
As far as the future of UM in regards to its upcoming release status and its future in general I will continue to ask questions both publicly and privately until the appropriate answers are given from the appropriate people and I will do this in accordance with the UCoC.
4 Likes