The Ubuntu Developer's Summit has successfully concluded at Budapest Hungary. The UDS prepared a roadmap for the next version of Ubuntu (11.10) which is code named Oneiric Ocelot or we can call it OO.

Some of the important decisions taken at UDS include the status of default applications in Ubuntu 11.10. According to reports, Thunderbird is being considered as the default email client for Ubuntu 11.10, replacing Evolution Mail. Thunderbird seems to be a good choice as it is available across platforms thus offers similar experience across platforms including GNU/Linux, Mac and Windows.

Here is an interview of Mark Shuttleworth:

Ubuntu is also considering replacing Firefox with Chromium. Not everyone is happy with the decision to switch to Chromium. The comments we got on Muktware tell that users prefer Firefox:

Jeroen Adolfse commented: "I think Firefox is real free and IMHO just a better browser. It's highly customizable and more reliable than Chromium. If Chromium will be the standard, I certainly will install Firefox again. Together wit Thunderbird they are a powerful combination from Mozilla."

Jérémie Tarot wrote: "Firefox brought us freedom of browsing in a world where you couldn't access to the web without Microsoft software. The Internet already relies on Google for searching informations (which is in itself a frightening domination) and is depending on it for too many other things like e-mail (yes I will close my Gmail account ASAP) and mobile telephony/computing. We neither need nor want to leave one monopoly to fall into another.

Firefox remains the only REAL FREE browser and the most feature-rich, this is what we want for our desktops, and for our future."

Chromium also has issues with other languages. You can see a comparison between how Chromium and Firefox render a Hindi site!

Keeping LibreOffice pre-installed was also considered. It was suggested to be removed and to offer an install button which will allow users to download and install the office suite. I think it was a bad idea. The USP of Ubuntu is 'out-of-the-box' support for users' needs. The availability of LibreOffice gives Ubuntu and edge over the arch rival Microsoft's Windows. The good news is LibreOffice is going to stay in Ubuntu.

One of the reasons behind LibreOffice reconsideration was space crunch on the Live CD. I think if space is an issue,  removal of Monoware can free quite a lot of space for free software.

According to reports, Ubuntu is dropping Computer Janitor from the next version. This is a good move. The tool was doing more harm than good. Ubuntu will also replace GDM with LightDM (Light display manager).

Another report is that Ubuntu will remove PiTiVi movie editor from the version 11.10. I have never used PiTiVi so I can't comment on it, but if Canonical is targeting Windows users, it must pre-install a movie maker/editor which offers a simple interface where people can put clips and make home videos.