Jonathan Carter

In this engaging conversation, Jonathan Carter, the current Debian Project Lead with over 20 years of contributions, discusses 30 years of the Debian project. He reflects on its unique volunteer-led structure and historical significance within the open-source community. Topics include the evolution of Debian, its commitment to free software, and the contrasts between Debian and Ubuntu. Carter also shares insights on fostering community diversity, remembering contributors, and the project's resilience as it marks three decades of innovation and collaboration.

Jonathan Carter, Debian Project Lead for four terms, discusses the 30-year history of Debian and its transition from Ubuntu. They explore the democratic and community-driven nature of Debian, its structure, stability, and reliability. The podcast covers sponsorship, formalization, and relationships in Debian, as well as tension in the Debconf treasurer team. They also discuss the connection between Debian and Toy Story, packaging free software and compatibility, a comparison between Debian and Canonical, communication and collaboration methods in the Debian project, and the Hack Club non-profit organization.

Jonathan Carter, the current Debian Project Lead serving his fourth term, reflects on the 30-year journey of Debian. He shares personal anecdotes about transitioning from a Windows user to an open-source advocate and discusses the project’s unique volunteer-run structure. The conversation touches on Debian's open-source guidelines, versatility as a universal OS, and its surprising role in commercial use. Carter also addresses community engagement and outreach initiatives to support underrepresented groups, emphasizing the collaborative spirit that defines Debian.