I think the file *should* be removed Ubuntu uses the file at the moment for two reasons: "..that various system configuration tools automatically saw Ubuntu as a Debian derivative.."
Reason 1: For tools to see Ubuntu as a Debian derivative But Ubuntu Hardy is not the same as "lenny/sid", as reported by debian_version. It is misleading to pretend that it is. If they were the same, then Ubuntu wouldn't need to exist. Reason 2: Marketshare/mindshare Ubuntu is big and popular enough for tools to support Ubuntu. Relying on the (wrong) information that /etc/debian_version exists and therefore "this must be Debian" is dangerous and no longer necessary. I've put a request for removal in bug 218646. -- Tools relying on /etc/debian_version get confused https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/19353 You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu Bugs, which is a direct subscriber. -- ubuntu-bugs mailing list ubuntu-bugs@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-bugs