Every six months you’re guaranteed at least one entertaining post on the Ubuntu mailing list: Mark Shuttleworth’s announcement of the next Ubuntu release. I don’t know how he does it, but each announcement manages to relate the planned features of the next release to specific characteristics of the chosen mascot. This year, though, something is different.

Shuttleworth’s announcement of Ubuntu Karmic Koala is separated in to two difference categories,server and desktop. In the past, these announcements have been largely desktop focused with no separate section for server-related plans. This time, though, it looks like more attention is being put on the server side of Ubuntu. It makes sense, too. For some time it has seemed that Canonical was beginning to focus more on the server. This is just an additional indication.

Canonical’s increased focus on the server makes sense, since it would likely provide a revenue stream for them while they are building up their desktop offerings. On the other hand, Canonical has no footing in the server market, which is dominated by big players like Red Hat and Novell, so they could have trouble getting themselves in the door.

Whatever you think about it, Canonical seems to think it needs to expand furthur into the server side.

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