Read the opinion piece again. Canonical is trying to compete "on equal grounds" with RH. The point dag was making, as I read it, is that by syncing up with other more established distros it can reap the benefits of work others have done. I can't say whether this is actually the case (I spent 14 years actively involved in the Linux/Open Source world but had to retire in 2004 due to health reasons; these last 4 years I've been just a user).