Ubuntu opens up to Qt toolkit

Future versions of Ubuntu will include the cross-platform Qt interface libraries and could come preloaded with Qt applications based on the framework, according to Mark Shuttleworth, founder of Canonical and the Ubuntu Project.

Shuttleworth announced the decision on his blog yesterday, noting that, following the Linux platform's Natty Narwhal release, the company will need to assess the benefits of including Qt apps and frameworks with the disc and download installation by default.

"Ease of use and effective integration are key values in our user experience. We care that the applications we choose are harmonious with one another and the system as a whole. Historically, that has meant that we've given very strong preference to applications written using Gimp toolkit (Gtk)," he wrote. "What I'm arguing now is that it's the values which are important, and the toolkit is only a means to that end... There's plenty of best-in-class software written with Qt, it's a very capable toolkit."

Read more of "Ubuntu to open up to Qt toolkit" at ZDNet UK.