Merging Distros a possibility??

[SkittleLinux18]

So we always hear how most distros are based off of other distros. However, it is always just one; e.g.,

Fedora based on Red Hat
Mint based on Ubuntu
Sabayon based on Gentoo
Slax based on Slackware
PCLinuxOS based on Mandriva

Well, why does it always have to be one? Couldn't the source codes from multiple distros be compiled into one?? e.g.,

SkittleLinux.01 based on Ubuntu, Fedora, and Mandriva

Is that even possible, or am I out in left field again?

[dxqcanada]

I would think this has to do with the utilities that are specifically designed for that base distribution.

Example ... the Gentoo portage system is not the same as the Yum/RPM system of RedHat, or apt-get or Yast.

Since Linux is about choice ... each distribution and offshoot has been tailored to a group of users that wanted their own methods of doing things.

If someone really wanted to they could make the Universal Distribution that has all special utilities/depositories/structure from every base distribution ... so you can use instructions from any distribution to perform an action.

Or ... maybe the Linux world will agree to a single OS (like MS Windows or Apple OS) so there is only one way to do things and controlled from a single entity.

[SkittleLinux18]

I forgot about the different builds. Although, I know it is possible to have more than one build system. PCLOS has apt and rpm. That's just one example. I guess what I was more so going for is the possibility of merging the source codes for two or three leading distros to create an even better distro. IDK if it's even possible. I'm just bored while I test out KDE4 on both Kubuntu-8.10 and OpenSuSe-11.1 haha

[dxqcanada]

In some ways too many variations cause issues with support.

I work for a company that makes serial communication devices, and we support Linux ... but that does cause us to understand the many different distribution's way of doing things.

At least the Kernel does not very greatly between distributions (almost).

It's all about what each distribution wants to wrap around the core kernel, as everything else is just an application.

I will warn you ... do not complain about missing functionality in KDE 4.1.x vs KDE 3.5.x, as KDE 4.2 is not finished (though some distributions have backported some features).

I am currently using KDE 4.1.3 (without any backported features) and have immediately noticed some things missing, though there are many things I like about this new version.

[SkittleLinux18]

Ok, that makes perfect sense about the kernel not varying, but each distro having it's own things wrapped around the kernel. I guess I was out in left field.

I have noticed the features missing, too. However, it appears in the release schedule that things will slowly, but surely come back. I suspect that by the time we see 4.3 and 4.4, a lot of things will be back. Plus, I'm sure stability will continue to improve, too.

I've been using KDE4.1 on both Kubuntu and OpenSuSE on Virtual Machines. So far, I am very impressed. The last time I tried KDE4 was with Kubuntu's alpha release of 8.04. That was like mid-February! So KDE4 wasn't even 6 weeks old yet. I'm sure I don't have to tell you, it was horrible! This however has been a huge improvement! I am actually having fun tinkering with it. Although, I suspect I won't make the move to KDE4 on my main Linux computer until 4.2 at the very least; maybe not even until 4.3 in July. IDK, we'll see. Thumbs up so far!