So I'll ask the blunt question...

[N00b-un-2]

Since no one else seems to have noticed, I will ask what seems to be a very obvious question. Why exactly was it that Ubuntu 12.04 was not codenamed "Penguin"? It is the most popular LINUX distro in the world after all. Being that Canonical is a South African company to the best of my knowledge, I could understand if they were sticking with animals native to the African continent, but they aren't. Quetzal's are from South and Central America, Pangolin's come from South Asia, Ocelots are indeed African, but Narwhal's are from the Arctic, etc.
Why Pangolin? Penguin would have made SOOO MUCH MORE SENSE. Most people probably don't even know what a Pangolin is.

[Linuxratty]

Maybe they are saving it for next year..Or the year after?

[odiseo77]

Or maybe penguin would have been too obvious and even redundant given the association of Linux with the image of a penguin?

[Uncle Spellbinder]

or maybe penguin would have been too obvious and even redundant given the association of linux with the image of a penguin?

+1

[kostkon]

Being that Canonical is a South African company to the best of my knowledge

Canonical is based in the UK.

[offgridguy]

So, what is a pangolin ??

[StephGbzh]

@Linuxratty: given the fact that the alphabet is consumed one letter at a time by each ubuntu release, we should see the "P" again in 13 years!

It's Mark Shuttleworth himself who chooses the name, here is his explanation for Precise Pangolin:
http://www.markshuttleworth.com/archives/784

Balancing all of those options, I think we have just the right mix in our designated mascot for 12.04 LTS. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the Precise Pangolin.

Now, I’ve recently spent a few hours tracking a pangolin through the Kalahari. I can vouch for their precision – there wasn’t an ant hill in the valley that he missed. Their scales are a wonder of detail and quite the fashion statement. I can also vouch for their toughness; pangolin’s regularly survive encounters with lions. All in all, a perfect fit. There’s no sassier character, and no more cheerful digger, anywhere in those desert plains. If you want a plucky partner, the pangolin’s your match.

[jonnyboysmithy]

So, what is a pangolin ??

<snip>


EDIT: won't be posting anymore of those links.. oops :/

[offgridguy]

Thank you; We don't have such critters in Canada.

[Linuxratty]

@Linuxratty: given the fact that the alphabet is consumed one letter at a time by each ubuntu release, we should see the "P" again in 13 years!

!!!! I had no clue!

Nor do we..We do have armadillos,which have the same diet.