Linux fans in general and Ubuntu users in particular are already well-acquainted with the many desktop environments that are available for distributions of the free and open source operating system.
While Ubuntu Linux has embraced the Unity desktop in recent iterations, there have long been derivatives based on KDE, Xfce, and LXDE, for example.
Now, it looks like fans of GNOME may soon get a community flavor of their very own.
"At the Ubuntu Developer Summit in May, several of us that work with GNOME in Ubuntu discussed the need for a Ubuntu community derivative similar to Kubuntu, Xubuntu, and others but which will try to ship a relatively pure GNOME experience," explained Ubuntu developer Jeremy Bicha in a recent post on the GNOME mailing list.
"We'd Like to Use GNObuntu'
The naming of this new Ubuntu flavor is what's been drawing discussion over the past few days.
"The traditional Ubuntu naming convention for these alternate flavors is 'Gubuntu,' but it seems that could cause confusion with the pronunciation of Google's internal distribution Goobuntu," Bicha said.
"We'd like to instead use GNObuntu," he added.
Other naming possibilities proposed since Bicha's Aug. 13 post include Ubuntu GNOME, Ubuntu GSR (for "GNOME Shell Remix"), GNUntu, UbuGNOME, and uGuntu.
Coming in Ubuntu 12.10?
Though GNOME 2 is the longstanding favorite of many Linux fans, the GNOME 3 desktop series--like Unity--has been highly controversial.
The GNOME Project, meanwhile, recently revealed plans to create a GNOME OS.
When will we see the arrival of this GNOME-based Ubuntu? Bicha's message doesn't specify, but a Muktware reportsuggests it will be part of the forthcoming Ubuntu 12.10 "Quantal Quetzal," which is due in October.