Linux Mint

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Linux Mint
Linux Mint Official Logo.svg
VirtualBox Linux Mint Desktop ENG 14 02 2021 13 44 42.png
Linux Mint 20.1 "Ulyssa" (Cinnamon Edition)
DeveloperClément Lefèbvre, Jamie Boo Birse, Kendall Weaver, and community[1]
OS familyLinux (Unix-like)
Working stateCurrent
Source modelOpen source
Initial releaseAugust 27, 2006; 15 years ago (2006-08-27)
Latest releaseLinux Mint 20.2 “Uma”[2] / July 8, 2021; 2 months ago (2021-07-08)
Latest previewLinux Mint 20.2 “Uma” Beta[3] / 18 June 2021; 2 months ago (2021-06-18)
Available inMultilingual[4]
Update methodAPT (+ Software Manager, Update Manager & Synaptic user interfaces)
Package managerdpkg & Flatpak
Platformsx86-64, arm64
Kernel typeMonolithic (Linux)
UserlandGNU
Default
user interface
  • 1.0: KDE
  • 2.0-12: GNOME
  • 13-18.3: Cinnamon / MATE / KDE SC 4 / Xfce
  • 19-20: Cinnamon / MATE / Xfce[5]
Official websitelinuxmint.com

Linux Mint is a community-driven Linux distribution based on Ubuntu (in turn based on Debian), bundled with a variety of free and open-source applications.[6][7] It can provide full out-of-the-box multimedia support for those who choose (by ticking one box during its installation process) to include proprietary software such as multimedia codecs.[8]

The Linux Mint project was created by Clément Lefèbvre and is actively maintained by the Linux Mint Team and community.[9]

History[]

Linux Mint began in 2006 with a beta release, 1.0, code-named 'Ada',[10] based on Kubuntu. Linux Mint 2.0 'Barbara' was the first version to use Ubuntu as its codebase. It had few users until the release of Linux Mint 3.0, 'Cassandra'.[11][12]

Linux Mint 2.0 was based on Ubuntu 6.10,[13] using Ubuntu's package repositories and using it as a codebase. It then followed its own codebase, building each release from the previous one, but continuing to use the package repositories of the latest Ubuntu release. This made the two systems' bases almost identical, guaranteeing full compatibility between them, rather than requiring Mint to be a fork.[citation needed]

In 2008, Linux Mint adopted the same release cycle as Ubuntu and dropped its minor version number before releasing version 5 'Elyssa'. The same year, in an effort to increase compatibility between the two systems, Linux Mint decided to abandon its codebase and changed the way it built its releases. Starting with Linux Mint 6 'Felicia', each release was based completely on the latest Ubuntu release, built directly from it, and made available approximately one month after the corresponding Ubuntu release (usually in May or November).[citation needed]

In 2010, Linux Mint released Linux Mint Debian Edition (LMDE). Unlike the other Ubuntu-based editions (Ubuntu Mint), LMDE was originally a rolling release based directly on Debian and not tied to Ubuntu packages or its release schedule.[12] It was announced on May 27, 2015 that the Linux Mint team would no longer support the original rolling release version of LMDE after January 1, 2016.[14] LMDE 2 'Betsy' was a long term support release based on Debian Jessie.[15] When LMDE 2 was released it was announced that all LMDE users would be automatically upgraded to new versions of MintTools software and new desktop environments before they were released into the main edition of Linux Mint.[16]

On February 20, 2016, the Linux Mint website was breached by unknown hackers who briefly replaced download links for a version of Linux Mint with a modified version containing malware. The hackers also breached the database of the website's user forum.[17][18] Linux Mint immediately took its server offline and implemented enhanced security configuration for their website and forum.[19]

Releases[]

Every version of Linux Mint is given a version number and, until the 18.x series, was code-named with a feminine first name ending in 'a' and beginning with a letter of the alphabet that increased with every iteration.[12] The 18.x series broke from the pattern with version 18 having the name 'Sarah'.[20]

Initially, there were two Linux Mint releases per year. Following the release of Linux Mint 5 in 2008, every fourth release was labeled a long-term support (LTS) version,[citation needed] indicating that it was supported (with updates) for longer than traditional releases. Versions 5 and 9 had three years of support, and all LTS versions following received five years of support.[citation needed]

On May 31, 2014, with the release of Linux Mint 17,[21] the Linux Mint team adopted a new release strategy. Starting with the release of Mint 17, all future versions were planned to use a LTS version of Ubuntu as a base, until 2016.[22] Under this strategy, Mint 17.1 was released on November 29, 2014,[23] Mint 17.2 was released on June 30, 2015,[24] and Mint 17.3 was released on December 4, 2015.[25] The 17.x releases are intended to be an easy, optional upgrade.[26] All three versions included upgrades to the Cinnamon and MATE Desktop Environments and various Mint tools. In addition, Mint 17.2 and 17.3 included an upgrade to the LibreOffice suite.[27][28] The 18.x series follows the pattern set by the 17.x series, by using Ubuntu 16.04 LTS as a base.[20]

Linux Mint does not communicate specific release dates as new versions are published 'when ready', meaning that they can be released early when the distribution is ahead of schedule or late when critical bugs are found.[29] New releases are announced, with much other material, on the Linux Mint blog.[30]

On January 3, 2018, the Linux Mint Team released news of Linux Mint 19 'Tara'. The team stated that the 19.x releases would use GTK 3.22 and be based on Ubuntu 18.04 LTS, with support provided until 2023. On June 29, 2018, Linux Mint 19 'Tara' Cinnamon was released.[31] Then, on December 24, 2019, Linux Mint 19.3, 'Tricia' was released, with security updates available until 2023.[32]

On June 27, 2020, Linux Mint 20 'Ulyana' was released. It is an LTS version with support until 2025.[33] On January 8, 2021 Linux Mint 20.1 'Ulyssa' was released.[34] On July 8, 2021 Linux Mint 20.2 'Uma' was released.[35]

Up to 2014 there had been two Linux Mint releases per year, about one month after the Ubuntu releases they were based on. Each release was given a new version number and a code name, using a female first name starting with the letter whose alphabetical index corresponds to the version number and ending with the letter "a" (e.g., "Elyssa" for version 5, "Felicia" for version 6). There is also an OEM version for ease of installation for hardware manufacturers.[36]

Releases were timed to be approximately one month after Ubuntu releases (which in turn are about one month after GNOME releases and two months after X Window System releases). Consequently, every Linux Mint release came with an updated version of both GNOME and X and features some of the improvements brought in the latest Ubuntu release. Support for most releases was discontinued two months after the next release, but since the mid-2008 v5 every fourth release has been labelled a long-term support (LTS) version, indicating that it is supported (with updates) for longer, three years for v5 and v9, and five years thereafter.

Linux Mint 17 "Qiana" LTS was released on 31 May 2014, remaining current until the end of November 2014 and supported until April 2019.[36] In mid-2014 the successor to 17 Qiana was announced to be 17.1 Rebecca; the development team said that from a technical point of view Linux Mint was no longer tied to the Ubuntu schedule, so it could be released at any time, although the six-month cycle provided rhythm, leading to a late November 2014 target.[37] Linux Mint 17 LTS would be the first release of the 17.x series, and for two years applications would be backported to 17.x, with security updates until 2019.[37]

The latest release is Linux Mint 20.2 "Uma", released on 8 July 2021. As an LTS release, it will be supported until 2025.

Linux Mint Debian Edition, not compatible with Ubuntu,[38] is based on Debian and updates are brought in continuously between major versions (of LMDE).


Legend: Old version, not maintained Older version, still maintained Current stable version Latest preview version Future release
Version Codename Edition Codebase Compatible repository Default desktop environment Release date LTS? Support End
Old version, no longer maintained: 1.0 Ada Main Kubuntu 6.06 KDE 27 August 2006 N/A Un­known
Old version, no longer maintained: 2.0 Barbara Ubuntu 6.10 (Edgy Eft) GNOME 13 November 2006 April 2008
Old version, no longer maintained: 2.1 Bea 20 December 2006
Old version, no longer maintained: 2.2 Bianca 20 February 2007
Light 29 March 2007
KDE CE Kubuntu 6.10 KDE 20 April 2007
Old version, no longer maintained: 3.0 Cassandra Main Bianca 2.2 Ubuntu 7.04

(Feisty Fawn)

GNOME 30 May 2007 October 2008
Light 15 June 2007
KDE CE Kubuntu 7.04 KDE 14 August 2007
MiniKDE CE
Xfce CE Cassandra 3.0 Xubuntu 7.04 Xfce 7 August 2007
Old version, no longer maintained: 3.1 Celena Main Bianca 2.2 Ubuntu 7.04

(Feisty Fawn)

GNOME 24 September 2007 October 2008
Light 1 October 2007
Old version, no longer maintained: 4.0 Daryna Main Celena 3.1 Ubuntu 7.10

(Gutsy Gibbon)

15 October 2007 April 2009
Light
KDE CE Cassandra 3.0 Kubuntu 7.10 KDE 3 March 2008
Old version, no longer maintained: 5 Elyssa Main Daryna 4.0 Ubuntu 8.04 (Hardy Heron) GNOME 8 June 2008 Yes April 2011
Light
x64 Ubuntu 8.04 (Hardy Heron) 18 October 2008
KDE CE Daryna 4.0 Kubuntu 8.04 KDE 15 September 2008
Xfce CE Xubuntu 8.04 Xfce 8 September 2008
Fluxbox CE Ubuntu 8.04 (Hardy Heron) Fluxbox 21 October 2008
Old version, no longer maintained: 6 Felicia Main Ubuntu 8.10 (Intrepid Ibex) GNOME 15 December 2008 No April 2010
Universal (Light)
x64 6 February 2009
KDE CE Elyssa 5 Kubuntu 8.10 KDE 8 April 2009
Xfce CE Xubuntu 8.10 Xubuntu 8.10 Xfce 24 February 2009
Fluxbox CE Ubuntu 8.10 Fluxbox 7 April 2009
Old version, no longer maintained: 7 Gloria Main Ubuntu 9.04 (Jaunty Jackalope) GNOME 26 May 2009 No October 2010
Universal (Light)
x64 24 June 2009
KDE CE Kubuntu 9.04 KDE 3 August 2009
Xfce CE Xubuntu 9.04 Xfce 13 September 2009
Old version, no longer maintained: 8 Helena Main Ubuntu 9.10 (Karmic Koala) GNOME 28 November 2009 No April 2011
Universal (Light)
Gnome x64 14 December 2009
KDE Kubuntu 9.10 Kubuntu 9.10 KDE 6 February 2010
KDE x64 12 February 2010
Fluxbox Helena Main Ubuntu 9.10 (Karmic Koala) Fluxbox
Xfce Xubuntu 9.10 Xfce 31 March 2010
LXDE Helena Main Ubuntu 9.10 (Karmic Koala) LXDE
Old version, no longer maintained: 9 Isadora Main Ubuntu 10.04 (Lucid Lynx) GNOME 18 May 2010 Yes April 2013
Gnome x64
LXDE Lubuntu 10.04 LXDE 18 July 2010
KDE Kubuntu 10.04 KDE 27 July 2010
KDE x64
Xfce Xubuntu 10.04 Xfce 24 August 2010
Fluxbox Lubuntu 10.04 Fluxbox 6 September 2010
Old version, no longer maintained: 10 Julia Main Ubuntu 10.10 (Maverick Meerkat) GNOME 12 November 2010 No April 2012
Gnome x64
KDE Kubuntu 10.10 KDE 23 February 2011
KDE x64
LXDE Lubuntu 10.10 LXDE 16 March 2011
Old version, no longer maintained: 11 Katya Main Ubuntu 11.04 (Natty Narwhal) GNOME 26 May 2011 No October 2012
Gnome x64
LXDE Lubuntu 11.04 LXDE 16 August 2011
Old version, no longer maintained: 12 Lisa Main Ubuntu 11.10 (Oneiric Ocelot) GNOME 3 with MGSE[a] 26 November 2011 No April 2013
KDE Kubuntu 11.10 KDE 2 February 2012
LXDE Lubuntu 11.10 LXDE 9 March 2012
Old version, no longer maintained: 13 Maya Cinnamon Ubuntu 12.04

(Precise Pangolin)

Cinnamon 23 May 2012 Yes April 2017
MATE MATE
Xfce Xubuntu 12.04 Xfce 21 July 2012
KDE Kubuntu 12.04 KDE 23 July 2012
Old version, no longer maintained: 14 Nadia Cinnamon Ubuntu 12.10

(Quantal Quetzal)

Cinnamon 20 November 2012 No May 2014
MATE MATE
Xfce Xubuntu 12.10 Xfce 21 December 2012
KDE Kubuntu 12.10 KDE 23 December 2012
Old version, no longer maintained: 15 Olivia Cinnamon Ubuntu 13.04 (Raring Ringtail) Cinnamon 29 May 2013[39] No January 2014
MATE MATE
Xfce Xfce 12 July 2013[40]
KDE KDE 21 July 2013[41]
Old version, no longer maintained: 16 Petra Cinnamon Ubuntu 13.10 (Saucy Salamander) Cinnamon 30 November 2013[42][43] No July 2014
MATE MATE
Xfce Xfce 22 December 2013
KDE KDE
Old version, no longer maintained: 17 Qiana Cinnamon Ubuntu 14.04

(Trusty Tahr)

Cinnamon 31 May 2014 Yes April 2019
MATE MATE
KDE KDE 23 June 2014
Xfce Xfce 26 June 2014
Old version, no longer maintained: 17.1 Rebecca Cinnamon Cinnamon 29 November 2014[37]
MATE MATE
KDE KDE 8 January 2015
Xfce Xfce 11 January 2015
Old version, no longer maintained: 17.2 Rafaela Cinnamon Cinnamon 30 June 2015
MATE MATE
KDE KDE 7 August 2015
Xfce Xfce
Old version, no longer maintained: 17.3 Rosa Cinnamon Cinnamon 4 December 2015
MATE MATE
KDE KDE 9 January 2016
Xfce Xfce
Old version, no longer maintained: 18 Sarah Cinnamon Ubuntu 16.04

(Xenial Xerus)

Cinnamon 30 June 2016 Yes April 2021
MATE MATE
KDE KDE 9 September 2016
Xfce Xfce 2 August 2016
Old version, no longer maintained: 18.1 Serena Cinnamon Cinnamon 16 December 2016
MATE MATE
KDE KDE 27 January 2017
Xfce Xfce
Old version, no longer maintained: 18.2 Sonya Cinnamon Cinnamon 2 July 2017
MATE MATE
KDE KDE
Xfce Xfce
Old version, no longer maintained: 18.3 Sylvia Cinnamon Cinnamon 27 November 2017
MATE MATE
KDE KDE 15 December 2017
Xfce Xfce
Older version, yet still maintained: 19 Tara[44][45][46][47][48][49] Cinnamon Ubuntu 18.04

(Bionic Beaver)

Cinnamon 29 June 2018 Yes April 2023
MATE MATE
Xfce Xfce
Older version, yet still maintained: 19.1 Tessa[50][51] Cinnamon Cinnamon 19 December 2018[52]
MATE MATE
Xfce Xfce
Older version, yet still maintained: 19.2 Tina Cinnamon Cinnamon 2 August 2019
MATE MATE
Xfce Xfce
Older version, yet still maintained: 19.3 Tricia Cinnamon Cinnamon 18 December 2019
MATE MATE
Xfce Xfce
Older version, yet still maintained: 20 Ulyana[53] Cinnamon, MATE, Xfce Ubuntu 20.04 LTS

(Focal Fossa)

Cinnamon, MATE, Xfce 27 June 2020 Yes 2025
Older version, yet still maintained: 20.1 Ulyssa[54] 8 January 2021 Yes
Current stable version: 20.2 Uma[55] 8 July 2021 Yes
Version Codename Edition Codebase Compatible repository Default desktop environment Release date LTS? Support End
  1. ^ MGSE: Mint GNOME 3 Shell Extensions (providing a desktop environment similar to GNOME 2)
Linux Mint Debian Edition release history


Legend: Old version, not maintained Older version, still maintained Current stable version Latest preview version Future release
Version Codename ISO Edition[a] Debian base Default desktop
environment[b] 		Release date Support End
Old version, no longer maintained: 1 Debian 201403 Jessie (8) Cinnamon, MATE 02 March 2014[56] 01 January 2016[57]
Old version, no longer maintained: 2 Betsy 201503 10 April 2015[58] 01 January 2019[59]
201701 13 March 2017[60]
Old version, no longer maintained: 3 Cindy 201808 Stretch (9)[61] Cinnamon 31 August 2018[62] 01 July 2020[63]
Current stable version: 4 Debbie N/A Buster (10)[64] 20 March 2020[65] TBD
  1. ^ ISO Edition: Versions before LMDE 4 included a datecode in the bootable ISO image's filename. LMDE 2 images were issued twice; the second issue included updates to LMDE 2 up to that point.
  2. ^ Default desk environment: Versions before LMDE 3 were issued in two ISO image flavors, with Cinnamon and MATE desktop environments.

Gallery[]

  • Linux Mint 1.0 (Ada)

    Linux Mint 1.0 (Ada)

  • Linux Mint 2.2 (Bianca)

    Linux Mint 2.2 (Bianca)

  • Linux Mint 3.1 (Celena)

    Linux Mint 3.1 (Celena)

  • Linux Mint 4.0 (Daryna)

    Linux Mint 4.0 (Daryna)

  • Linux Mint 5.0 (Elyssa) with KDE 3

    Linux Mint 5.0 (Elyssa) with KDE 3

  • Linux Mint 6 (Felicia) with GNOME 2

    Linux Mint 6 (Felicia) with GNOME 2

  • Linux Mint 7 (Gloria)

    Linux Mint 7 (Gloria)

  • Linux Mint 8.0 (Helena)

    Linux Mint 8.0 (Helena)

  • Linux Mint 9.0 (Isadora)

    Linux Mint 9.0 (Isadora)

  • Linux Mint 10 (Julia) with GNOME

    Linux Mint 10 (Julia) with GNOME

  • Linux Mint 10 (Julia) with KDE 4

    Linux Mint 10 (Julia) with KDE 4

  • Linux Mint 10 (Julia) with LXDE

    Linux Mint 10 (Julia) with LXDE

  • Linux Mint 11 (Katya) with LXDE

    Linux Mint 11 (Katya) with LXDE

  • Linux Mint 11 (Katya) with GNOME

    Linux Mint 11 (Katya) with GNOME

  • Linux Mint 12 (Lisa) with GNOME 3

    Linux Mint 12 (Lisa) with GNOME 3

  • Linux Mint 12 (Lisa) with Xfce

    Linux Mint 12 (Lisa) with Xfce

  • Linux Mint 12 (Lisa) with MATE, showing Caja and the MintMenu

    Linux Mint 12 (Lisa) with MATE, showing Caja and the MintMenu

  • Linux Mint 13 (Maya) with the MATE desktop environment

    Linux Mint 13 (Maya) with the MATE desktop environment

  • Linux Mint 13 (Maya) with Cinnamon

    Linux Mint 13 (Maya) with Cinnamon

  • Linux Mint 14 (Nadia) with Cinnamon

    Linux Mint 14 (Nadia) with Cinnamon

  • Linux Mint 14 (Nadia) with KDE

    Linux Mint 14 (Nadia) with KDE

  • Linux Mint 19 (Tara) with Cinnamon

    Linux Mint 19 (Tara) with Cinnamon

  • Linux Mint 19.1 (Tessa) with Cinnamon

    Linux Mint 19.1 (Tessa) with Cinnamon

  • Linux Mint 19.2 Tina with Cinnamon

    Linux Mint 19.2 (Tina) with Cinnamon

  • Linux Mint 20 Ulyana with Cinnamon

    Linux Mint 20 (Ulyana) with Cinnamon

Features[]

Linux Mint primarily uses free and open-source software. Up to and including version 17.3, the installation process included some proprietary software, such as plug-ins and codecs that provide Adobe Flash, MP3, and DVD playback, by default.[66][67][68] The installer for version 18 no longer included any proprietary software.[69] Since version 18.1, the installer has provided an option to include third-party and proprietary software (graphics and Wi-Fi drivers, Flash, MP3 and other codecs).[8]

Linux Mint comes with a wide range of software installed, including LibreOffice, Firefox, Thunderbird, HexChat, Pidgin, Transmission, and VLC media player. Additional software that is not installed by default can be downloaded using the package manager, adding a PPA, or adding a source to the sources file in the etc directory. Linux Mint allows networking ports to be closed using its firewall, with customized port selection available. The default Linux Mint desktop environments, Cinnamon and MATE, support many languages.[70][71] Linux Mint can also run many programs designed for Microsoft Windows (such as Microsoft Office), using the Wine Windows compatibility layer software for Linux, or virtualization software, including VMware Workstation and VirtualBox, or KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine, built into the Linux kernel) hypervisor using Virtual Machine Manager.

Linux Mint is available with a number of desktop environments to choose from, including the default Cinnamon desktop, MATE and Xfce. Other desktop environments can be installed via APT, Synaptic, or via the custom Mint Software Manager.

Linux Mint actively develops software for its operating system. Most of the development is done in Python and the source code is available on GitHub.[72]

Software by Linux Mint[]

The new interface for mintUpdate, Linux Mint's Update tool
The Linux Mint Software Manager allows users to view, install, and uninstall programs.

Cinnamon[]

The Cinnamon desktop environment is a fork of GNOME Shell based on the innovations made in Mint Gnome Shell Extensions (MGSE). It was released as an add-on for Linux Mint 12 and has been available as a default desktop environment since Linux Mint 13.[73]

MintTools[]

  • Software Manager (mintInstall): Designed to install software from the Ubuntu and Linux Mint software repositories, as well as Launchpad PPAs. Since Linux Mint 18.3, the Software Manager has also been able to install software from Flatpak remotes, and is configured with Flathub by default.[74] It features an interface heavily inspired by GNOME Software, and is built upon GTK3.[75]
  • Update Manager (mintUpdate): Designed to prevent inexperienced users from installing updates that are unnecessary or require a certain level of knowledge to configure properly. It assigns updates a safety level (from 1 to 5), based on the stability and necessity of the update. Updates can be set to notify users (as is normal), be listed but not notify, or be hidden by default. In addition to including updates specifically for the Linux Mint distribution, the development team tests all package-wide updates. In newer versions of the operating system, this safety level mechanism is largely deactivated in favour of system snapshots created by the Timeshift tool.
  • Main Menu (mintMenu): Created for the MATE desktop environment. It is a menu of options including filtering, installation, and removal of software, system and places links, favourites, session management, editable items, custom places and many configuration options.
  • Backup Tool (mintBackup): Enables the user to back up and restore data. Data can be backed up before a fresh install of a newer release then restored.
  • Upload Manager (mintUpload): Defines upload services for FTP, SFTP and SCP servers. Services are then available in the system tray and provide zones where they may be automatically uploaded to their corresponding destinations. As of Linux Mint 18.3, this software is no longer installed by default but is still available in the Linux Mint software repositories.[76]
  • Domain Blocker (mintNanny): A basic domain blocking parental control tool introduced with v6. Enables the user to manually add domains to be blocked system-wide. As of Linux Mint 18.3, this software is no longer installed by default but is still available in the Linux Mint software repositories.[76]
  • Desktop Settings (mintDesktop): A tool for configuration of the desktop.
  • Welcome Screen (mintWelcome): Introduced in Linux Mint 7, an application that starts on the first login of any new account. It provides links to the Linux Mint website, user guide, and community website.
  • USB Image Writer/USB Stick Formatter (mintStick): A tool for writing an image onto a USB drive or formatting a USB stick.
  • System Reports (mintReport): Introduced in Linux Mint 18.3, the purpose of System Reports is to allow the user to view and manage automatically generated application crash reports.

Installation[]

Linux Mint can be booted and run from a USB flash drive on any PC capable of booting from a USB drive, with the option of saving settings to the flash drive. A USB creator program is available to install on Ubuntu (but not LMDE) Live Linux Mint on a USB drive. Alternatively, the Linux Mint ISO can be burned to a DVD to boot from.

The Windows installer Mint4Win allows Linux Mint to be installed from within Microsoft Windows, much like the Wubi installer for Ubuntu. The operating system could then be removed, as with other Windows software, using the Windows Control Panel. This method requires no partitioning of the hard drive. It is only useful for Windows users, and is not meant for permanent installations because it incurs a slight performance loss. This installer was included on the Live DVD until Linux Mint 16 but removed in the Linux Mint 16 'Petra' release because the size of the Live DVD images would have exceeded what the software could reliably handle.

Installation supports a Logical Volume Manager (LVM) with automatic partitioning only, and disk encryption since Linux Mint 15. UTF-8, the default character encoding, supports a variety of non-Roman scripts.

Editions[]

Linux Mint has multiple editions that are based on Ubuntu, with various desktop environments available. Linux Mint also has an edition based on Debian.

Ubuntu-based editions[]

As of Linux Mint 13, there are two main editions of Linux Mint developed by the core development team and using Ubuntu as a base. One includes Linux Mint's own Cinnamon as the desktop environment while the other uses MATE. Linux Mint also develops an additional version that features the Xfce desktop environment by default but has generally had secondary priority and is usually released somewhat later than the two main editions.[5]

Beginning with the release of Linux Mint 19, the KDE edition was officially discontinued; however, the KDE 17.x and 18.x releases will continue to be supported until 2019 and 2021, respectively.[74] Older releases, now also obsolete, included editions that featured the GNOME, LXDE, and Fluxbox desktop environments by default.

OEM version[]

Linux Mint 18 Cinnamon Edition's live CD boot menu

The distribution provided an OEM version for manufacturers to use;[77][78] however, this version was discontinued with the release of v18 Sarah in order to reduce the number of ISO images that needed to be maintained.[79] Manufacturers wanting to perform an OEM install now have the option to choose so in the live CD boot menu.

No Codecs version[]

The distribution provided a 'No Codecs' version for magazines, companies, and distributors in the United States, Japan, and countries where the legislation allows patents to apply to software and distribution of restricted technologies may require the acquisition of third-party licences;[12][80][81] however, this version was discontinued with release of v18 Sarah. Users now have the option of whether or not to install multimedia codecs during the installation; additionally, multimedia codecs can also be installed via a link on the Mint Welcome Screen any time after installation.

LMDE[]

The Linux Mint Debian Edition (LMDE) uses Debian Stable as the software source base rather than Ubuntu.[82] LMDE was originally based directly on Debian's Testing branch, but is designed to provide the same functionality and look and feel as the Ubuntu-based editions.[83] LMDE has its own package repositories.

LMDE claims certain advantages and disadvantages compared to 'Mint Main' (i.e., the Ubuntu-based editions):[84]

  • LMDE is faster and more responsive than Ubuntu-based editions.[85]
  • LMDE requires a deeper knowledge and experience with Linux and Debian package management.
  • Debian is less user-friendly and desktop-ready than Ubuntu, with some rough edges.

LMDE 1[]

The original LMDE (now often referred to as LMDE 1) had a semi-rolling release development model, which periodically introduced 'Update Packs' (tested snapshots of Debian Testing).[83] Installing an Update Pack allowed the user to keep LMDE 1 current, without having to reinstall the system every six months as with Mint Main. As of May 17, 2015, it has an upgrade path to LMDE 2.[86]

LMDE 2[]

LMDE 2 'Betsy' running Cinnamon 2.8

LMDE 2 (a.k.a. Betsy) was released on April 10, 2015.[87] LMDE 2 is based on Debian Stable, but receives automatic updates to the latest versions of MintTools and the installed desktop environment before they are released into the Mint Main edition.[15][16] LMDE 2 is available with both the MATE and Cinnamon desktop environments.[83] Both image versions received an update in January 2017.[88] As of the start of 2019, this version is no longer supported.

LMDE 2 remains based on sysvinit but with a 'functional logind' from systemd.[89][90]

LMDE 3[]

LMDE 3 (a.k.a. Cindy) is 'very likely' to complete the switch to systemd from sysvinit.[89] It is based on Debian Stretch, and was released on August 31, 2018,[91] shipping as a single edition with Cinnamon.[74] As of July 1, 2020, this version is no longer supported.

LMDE 4[]

LMDE 4 (a.k.a. Debbie) is based on Debian Buster (version 10), and was released on March 20, 2020. It is the current version of LMDE. This version ships as a single edition using Cinnamon.[92]

Development[]

Individual users and companies using the operating system act as donors,[93] sponsors[94] and partners[95] of the distribution. Linux Mint relies on user feedback to make decisions and orient its development. The official blog often features discussions where users are asked to voice their opinion about the latest features or decisions implemented for upcoming releases. Ideas can be submitted, commented upon and rated by users via the Linux Mint Community Website.[96]

The community of Linux Mint users use Launchpad to participate in the translation of the operating system and in reporting bugs.[97]

Most development is done in Python and organized online using GitHub, making it easy for developers to provide patches, implement additional features, and also fork Linux Mint sub-projects (for example the Linux Mint menu was ported to Fedora). With each release, features are added that are developed by the community. In Linux Mint 9, for instance, the ability to edit menu items is a feature that was contributed by a Linux Mint user.[98]

Reception[]

In May 2013, David Hayward of TechRadar praised Linux Mint for focusing on desktop users.[99]

In a 2012 online poll at Lifehacker, Linux Mint was voted the second best Linux distribution, after Ubuntu, with almost 16% of the votes.[100] In October 2012 (Issue 162), Linux Format named Linux Mint the best distro for 2012.[101] In July 2013 (Issue 128), Linux User & Developer gave Linux Mint 15 'Olivia' a score of 5/5, stating 'We haven't found a single problem with the distro ... we're more than satisfied with the smooth, user-friendly experience that Linux Mint 15, and Cinnamon 1.8, provides for it to be our main distro for at least another 6 months'.[102]

Reviews of Linux Mint 18 'Sarah' were somewhat mixed, with several that were quite favourable[103][104][105][106] and others critical of several specific new problems, with multiple reviews complaining about the lack of multimedia/codec support by default.[69][107] Multimedia codecs that had previously been included in the standard Mint distribution were no longer included in 'Sarah', but could be loaded with a graphical application that one Ars Technica reviewer said should be obvious for new users.[104]

ZDNet Contributing Editor Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols reviewing Linux Mint 19 and LM 19.1 in articles 'The Linux Mint desktop continues to lead the rest' in July 2018[108] and 'The better-than-ever Linux desktop' in December 2018[109] noted quality, stability, security and user-friendliness of Linux Mint comparing to other popular distributions. In ZDNet review of Linux Mint 19.2, it was noted '... after looking at many Linux desktops year in and out, Linux Mint is the best of the breed. It's easy to learn (even if you've never used Linux before), powerful, and with its traditional windows, icons, menus, and pointers (WIMP) interface, it's simple to use'.[110]

Minimum hardware requirements[]

For Linux Mint 20, either Cinnamon, MATE, or XFCE edition:[111]

  • 1 GB RAM (2 GB recommended)
  • 15 GB of hard-drive space (20 GB recommended)
  • Screen of 1024×768 resolution
  • Either a CD/DVD drive or a USB port for the installation media
  • Internet access is helpful

Versions prior to Linux Mint 20 allowed booting from either i386 (32 bit) and amd64 (64 bit) architectures.

Starting with Linux Mint 20 only the amd64 (64 bit) architecture will be supported.[112][113] This is because Canonical decided to drop 32-bit support from Ubuntu 20.04, which is the base from which Linux Mint 20 is derived.[114] LMDE still supports the x86 architecture.

See also[]

  • List of Ubuntu-based Linux distributions

References[]

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Further reading[]

  • Arturo Fernandez Montoro (2012). Linux Mint System Administrator's Beginner's Guide. Packt Publishing. p. 146. ISBN 978-1849519601.

External links[]

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