Sidux vs Ubuntu
Sidux and Ubuntu are free Linux distributions based on Debian. Sidux is renamed to aptosid
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[edit] Sidux
Sidux is a "rolling release" distribution based on Debian Unstable - the newest packages in the Debian "unstable" branch are continually incorporated into Sidux with few exceptions. Sidux is set apart from Debian Unstable in that software that would break the system by causing important programs or features to quit working may be included in Debian Unstable but, according to the makers of Sidux, will not be included in Sidux.
[edit] Ubuntu
Ubuntu is a "stable release" distribution, where three out of four releases are based on Debian Unstable (every fourth release is a "Long Term Support" release based on Debian Testing.) Since Ubuntu goes through the process of debugging (stabilizing) new software brought in from Debian Unstable before an Ubuntu release, and only puts out a new release once every six months, it may lag many months behind Sidux and Debian Unstable. This means that new software (which includes new features and potential performance benefits or new bugs) is incorporated slightly later in Ubuntu than in Sidux.
[edit] Ease of Use
Both distributions seek to include relatively new software, but Ubuntu emphasizes ease-of-use while Sidux emphasizes the very latest software. Sidux is not suitable for those who don't want to use a command line - tasks such as downloading updates to the operating system even require you to shut down the graphical (X.Org) interface while updating. works the same way as in ubuntu, just without a neat graphical user interface per default. There is the so called "smxi" script for sidux, which requires you to kill the X.org, it is however not supported (anymore) by sidux.
[edit] Modern Software
As of May 24, 2010, Debian Sid still does not include Firefox version 3.6.x, instead sidux includes Iceweasel, which is a Firefox rebrand. Iceweasel developers are slow, but could just download the real firefox from the mozilla page and install it on sidux. Ubuntu's latest version has included it since April 28, 2010. This despite the "latest software" promise of Sidux and Debian Sid. sidux which is not only based on debian but also still downloads it's software from the original debian repository's can't include firefox due to trademark problems [1].
[edit] Third-Party Software Compatibility
Because Ubuntu is more widely used than Sidux / Debian, there are instances in which software is written specifically for Ubuntu and will not work "out-of-the-box" with Sidux / Debian. Because Sidux, Debian, and Ubuntu are similar, many programs will function exactly the same on all three distributions.
