In an online Q&A on the Ubuntu web site, Shuttleworth responded to an open-ended question about what's next for Ubuntu now that the most recent version, 8.04 "Hardy Heron," has been delivered. He replied: "if I can see a vision articulated by developers that I believe can actually deliver it . . which will put Linux ahead of the Mac or Windows in terms of experience."

He also spent considerable time talking about his desire to see Ubuntu become more commercially viable, and noted Canonical right now isn't profitable. The organization now provides Ubuntu free as a download and even provides free CDs with the Linux OS.

Ubuntu developers have been at least a little interested in Window-fying Ubuntu, to make it a more comfortable experience for end users accustomed to working in Microsoft Windows environments and, perhaps, hesitant to try Ubuntu. They've included some features to address that in the most recent Ubuntu release.

Shuttleworth also shot down a question about whether Canonical be aiming toward an initial public offering for investors: "no need for an IPO," he said.

Looking ahead, not to Ubuntu's future but to Shuttleworth's, one questioner during the session didn't exactly try to finesse one question, asking:

"Can we be confident that Ubuntu will continue as a successful legacy in the (hopefully never) situation that you were to fall under a bus?"

Said Shuttleworth, who once survived a trip into outer space, "I hope my demise would not be messy . . . in practice or in law."

He said he has made continuity arrangements for Canonical in his will.