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Idea #88: dotUbuntu; a dotMac equivalent

bug This idea is a duplicate of Idea #13788: Online-integrated free/subscription based services.
Written by technolalia the 28 Feb 08 at 17:06. Category: Internet & Networking. Related project: Nothing/Others. Status: New
Rationale
dotMac provides a (fairly) simple way for users to integrate with some remote services, have some webspace and synchronize multiple macs.

dotUbuntu could provide similar resources for users:

the ability to back up important files, have bookmarks and address books floating 'in a cloud' like the mozilla 'Weave' project
http://labs.mozilla.com/2007/12/introducing-weave/

drag-and-drop remote backup of valuable files

plain webspace or more structured 'blogspace' with preinstalled web apps

Wiki page: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/DotUbuntu
Tags: sync

101
votes
closed
Solution #1: Auto-generated solution of idea #88
Written by technolalia the 28 Feb 08 at 17:06.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #88 was submitted before this update, its rationale and solution are not separated. Please vote accordingly, and if you have the necessary rights, please separate the rationale from the solution. Thanks!

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Attachments
spec Blueprint dot-ubuntu: Ubuntu
forum Ubuntuforums.org thread #671968


Duplicates


Comments
will_in_wi wrote on the 28 Feb 08 at 17:10
I think that a better idea is to work on an "ubuntu home server" that is integrated well with ubuntu. Ideally this server would easily extend to supporting other distros as clients and even windows.

andylockran wrote on the 28 Feb 08 at 17:42
I like this idea. Take the complexity away from the home user and they'll use it. Talk about running a home server and they won't.

jjongsma wrote on the 28 Feb 08 at 17:55
Great idea but more decentralized hopefully - like jabber or email. People could either use a third-party dotUbuntu server, or host one themselves. None of this single-source dotMac lock-in crap.

technolalia wrote on the 29 Feb 08 at 00:03
There's no reason why a dotUbuntu service should be restricted to one company (or even one OS) as is the case with dotMac; the comparison there is misleading, and I should have been more specific about that.

But once the code is written, there's no reason why it shouldn't be used by third parties, or individuals, according to their needs.

randomnote1 wrote on the 29 Feb 08 at 00:09
Simplified web hosting is a great idea for the dyi'er

Carlton Bale wrote on the 29 Feb 08 at 00:31
User prefs (OS and common programs), installed apps/sources, installed driver list. Those are the things I'd like to see backed-up to a remote server

kepardue wrote on the 29 Feb 08 at 00:39
It would be great to have something like this based on open standards such as IMAP and CalDav, especially with all of the focus going into Thunderbird 3/Lightning.

probono wrote on the 1 Mar 08 at 16:48
Such a service shoud not be tied to a specific OS.
Fight lock-in!

ponkarthik wrote on the 17 Jul 08 at 20:16
I am really surprised to see that this idea has got poor support.

It would be really great to have a service like .Mac (MobileMe) for Ubuntu. I have a Desktop and a Laptop and possibly a Ubuntu powered Netbook(!) in the future. It will really be a great user experience to have a trouble free online sync service.

A lot of general users out there are ready to pay for a
service like the .mac (MobileMe) as long it is hassle free.

andrewmin wrote on the 22 Jul 08 at 18:58
I like the idea, but dotubuntu isn't the greatest name. How about Netbuntu or something?

Also, I agree with probono about the lock-in thing. Let's make this cross platform. And make it open source, so you don't HAVE to use Canonical servers.

The following can be used:

* Some open source Apache/PHP hosting, hosted on Canonical servers. MySQL is probably overkill.
* File hosting, hosted on Canonical servers
* Email (POP and IMAP), hosted on Canonical servers
* Calendar (ical and CalDav), hosted on Canonical servers
* Chat (Jabber), hosted on Canonical servers
* VNC (easy to use, rather than the current thing where you have to open up software and hardware firewall ports. Something like Crossloop)
* File access (SSH), easier to use than current options where you have to mess with software and hardware firewalls.

Obviously, you'd integrate the email and calendaring with Evolution and file hosting into Nautilus. The VNC could be an extension of the current screen sharing app.

Auzy wrote on the 11 Oct 08 at 11:33
Discreetly, a lot of OSX users want an alternative to .Mac too. Because there have been a lot of issues with it.


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