Add Ubuntu Focal to the table of supported versions.

[clalancette]

This is important mostly because of NVIDIA users, who are often stuck on ancient versions of software.

Note that I also added Ubuntu Jammy as a "Community support" to Jazzy, which is indicated on
https://docs.ros.org/en/jazzy/Installation/Alternatives/Ubuntu-Development-Setup.html .

Note that there is an open PR to fix this latter point in REP-2000 as well: ros-infrastructure/rep#413

[kscottz]

First, some good news, it looks like Canonical and Ubuntu relations have improved and modern Ubuntu versions will be generally available for NVIDIA platforms.

My intent with this table was to simplify the decision process for new users. We alternate between messaging "ROS runs on just about everywhere" and "new users should only really use Tier 1 operating systems with the latest LTS." It is really confusing for new users and leads to lots of problems. I would like this table to be the abridged version of REP-2000 for first time users. The only reason I include Mac is to steer new users away from it.

We've already got a link to REP-2000 right next to the table and I am open to presenting it more prominently. Could we figure out a way to balance simple and clear for new users but "complete" enough for advanced users? Perhaps moving the REP-2000 text under the table?

cc: @methylDragon @robwoolley your input here would be helpful.

[robwoolley]

I think providing clear guidance for new users is paramount. Even though I would like to promote OpenEmbedded, I recognize that there are only 2 combinations that are "Tier 1: Fully Supported & Recommended for New Users"

I would suggest just leading with those with a brief description of which one to choose:

---

Recommended for New Users

• Humble Hawksbill on Ubuntu Jammy (22.04 LTS) are older long-term support releases with strong support from 3rd party packages
• Jazzy Jalisco on Ubuntu Noble (24.04 LTS) are newer long-term support releases with support from many 3rd party packages

Supported Platforms

Support is available for other platforms such as Windows 10, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, macOS, Debian, and OpenEmbedded / Yocto Project

See REP-2000 for more info on supported operating systems and support lifetimes.

---

I think that works if they are getting started in a virtual machine and working with simulators. As soon as they have real hardware then the decision matrix gets complicated. However, I think they will likely search for blogs or tutorials from someone with the same hardware to know which to choose.

[clalancette]

I would suggest just leading with those with a brief description of which one to choose:

Yeah, I have to agree with Rob here. If the intent is to give new users guidance, I would only put these two here. My main goal of adding Focal here was to get users of old NVIDIA hardware a starting point, since it is a very, very common question. But if we want to get rid of all of the distraction, then I'd go with @robwoolley's advice.

@kscottz I'll leave it to you whether to leave this open or close it, I'm fine either way.

[kscottz]

@clalancette just a heads up I took this discussion to the PMC. I don't really care about the outcome but I want the outcome to be something that we all agree to. I am going to come back with a counter proposal.