New distros vs improvement of current ones

[98cwitr]

So what's the deal? Why are there so many subprojects bouncing off of Ubuntu when there are other problems to be fixed and more development needed on the parent distro? Why work on reinventing the wheel instead of improving the existing one?

[Old Marcus]

Because you can.

[98cwitr]

I can also start a mass killing spree...

just because you can doesn't mean that it makes sense or has a point.

[Old Marcus]

That's the point, you couldn't start a mass killing spree because the idea reviles you.

Some people think it is a good idea to make a spin-off distro. Doesn't stop development on the parent distro, and the spinoffs might have some neat ideas (although most of the time they don't).

[BrokenKingpin]

I think it is because the parent distro might not be going in the direction the user wants, but it is a great base to start with, so the re-mix it.

[squilookle]

maybe it's just that people want to create their own os but don't have skill, time or inclination to write one from scratch: but a spin off allows them to do this relatively easily and quickly.

[fatality_uk]

Ubuntu is one of the easiest distros to use and alter. The vast majority of re-spins use Ubuntu because of this.