Linux Mint

Linux Mint
	Linux Mint “Daryna” 4.0 running GNOME
OS family	Linux
Working state	Current
Source model	Free and Open Source Software
Latest release	4.0 / 2007-11-15
Available in	multilingual
Update method	APT
Package manager	APT
Platforms	i386
Kernel type	Monolithic kernel
Default; user interface	GNOME , KDE , Xfce
License	GPL
Official website	http://www.linuxmint.com/

Linux Mint is a Linux distribution for desktop computers. It is based on and compatible with Ubuntu, and shares the same repositories. While at the core Linux Mint is mostly based on Ubuntu, the desktop and UI are different as they aim to improve the user's desktop experience. This is primarily through the use of a more refined desktop theme, the custom Linux Mint menu, and the MintSoftware, a collection of system tools designed to make system management and administration easier for end users.

Branches

Like many other Linux distributions, Linux Mint is available at different test versions or "branches". The branch with the very newest features, or "unstable branch" of Linux Mint, is called "Romeo". It is not activated by default in Linux Mint releases. Users who wish to get cutting-edge features and help the distribution test new packages can add Romeo to their Advanced Packaging Tool (APT) sources.

New packages are first released in Romeo, where they are tested by developers and testers who use Romeo. After a package is found stable enough, it is backported to the latest stable release.

Based on its dependencies, a package can also be tested in Romeo to be later included in the next stable release.

MintSoftware

Linux Mint comes with its own set of Mint software aimed at making the experience easier for the user.

MintUpdate: Update-software designed specifically for Mint, which was developed as a result of the insecurity behind Ubuntu's Update Manager. MintUpdate 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 Mint distro, the development team tests all package-wide updates. This system is designed to prevent inexperienced users from installing updates that are unnecessary or require a certain level of knowledge to configure properly. MintUpdate is currently in beta 1.5 and will be included in the next Mint release.
MintInstall: A program to download software from Internet catalogs that distributes mint-files. A mint-file does not contain the software, but it contains all the information and sources to download that software.
MintDesktop: A desktop configuration tool for easy configuration of the desktop. MintDesktop has received a major overhaul in Mint 4.0.^{[citation needed]}
MintConfig: A customizable control center.
MintAssistant: A customization wizard that appear during first log-in for users, asking a few questions to customize Mint based on the user's level of knowledge and comfort with various Linux components. It currently asks if the user want to enable or disable fortune-cookies in the terminal, if the root account should be enabled or disabled, and if Mint should use MintDisk or fstab to mount NTFS-partitions.^{[citation needed]}
MintUpload: An FTP client that uploads files to a server by right-clicking on the icons and selecting upload. The user will then be given a link he can give to other people for quick and easy sharing.
MintMenu: A python-coded menu that allows for fully customizable text, icons, and colors. It shares the same hotlinks to software as the Gnome main menu.

Releases

Linux Mint doesn't follow a predictable release cycle. Releases are planned one after the other. The project first defines the goals for the next release.^{[citation needed]} When all the goals are achieved a beta is usually released and a date is announced for the stable release.

Version	Codename	Edition	Code Base	APT Base	Release Date
1.0	Ada	KDE	Kubuntu Dapper	Dapper	27/08/2006
2.0	Barbara	Main	Ubuntu Edgy	Edgy	13/11/2006
2.1	Bea	Main	Ubuntu Edgy	Edgy	20/12/2006
2.2	Bianca	Main	Ubuntu Edgy	Edgy	20/02/2007
2.2	Bianca	Light	Ubuntu Edgy	Edgy	29/03/2007
2.2	Bianca	KDE	Kubuntu Edgy	Edgy	20/04/2007
3.0	Cassandra	Main_GNOME	Bianca 2.2	Feisty	30/05/2007
3.0	Cassandra	Light_GNOME	Bianca 2.2	Feisty	15/06/2007
3.0	Cassandra	KDE	Bianca 2.2	Feisty	14/08/2007
3.0	Cassandra	MiniKDE	Bianca 2.2	Feisty	14/08/2007
3.0	Cassandra	XFCE	Cassandra 3.0	Feisty	07/08/2007
3.1	Celena	Main_GNOME	Bianca 2.2	Feisty	24/09/2007
3.1	Celena	Light_GNOME	Bianca 2.2	Feisty	01/10/2007
4.0	Daryna	Main_GNOME	Celena 3.1	Gutsy	15/10/2007
4.0	Daryna	Light_GNOME	Celena 3.1	Gutsy	15/10/2007
4.0	Daryna BETA 021	KDE	Daryna 4.0	Gutsy	6/11/2007
4.0	Daryna BETA 008	XFCE	Daryna 4.0	Gutsy	2/11/2007
4.0	Daryna BETA 021	E17	Daryna 4.0	Gutsy	January 2008
4.0	Daryna BETA 021	Fluxbox	Daryna 4.0	Gutsy	January 2008
TEST	Debian Base	Debian	Debian Etch 4.0	Etch	January 2008
5.0	Undefined	GNOME	Ubuntu Hardy Heron	Hardy	30/04/2008
5.0	Undefined	KDE	Kubuntu Hardy Heron	Hardy	30/04/2008
5.0	Undefined	XFCE	Xubuntu Hardy Heron	Hardy	30/04/2008

Legend:
Outdated	Alpha	Beta	Stable (without backports from Romeo)	Stable (with backports from Romeo)	Next Release

Editions

Main Edition: The Main Edition of Linux Mint provides a GNOME desktop with multimedia codecs which fit on a single CD. It is designed to please everybody and should appeal to individuals and professional users.^{[citation needed]}

Light Edition: Some of the codecs in the Main Edition are not freely redistributable in some parts of the world. For this reason, users who live in countries where the legislation doesn't allow them to use or distribute the Main Edition have access to a Light Edition of Linux Mint. The Light Edition is a copy of the Main Edition without any patented or proprietary component.

KDE Edition: Linux Mint also provides a KDE Edition (mostly for individual users). The Gnome desktop is replaced with KDE. The default selection of applications is different and this edition usually comes with more software. The KDE edition doesn't necessarily fit on a CD and can be available as a DVD download.

Xfce Community Edition: An attempt to create a version easier on system requirements. The Gnome desktop is replaced with Xfce as the default desktop environment.

Linux Mint 5 will see the addition of a Professional Edition with a desktop targeted at the core professional desktop.

Comparison with Ubuntu

Linux Mint uses the same software repositories as Ubuntu. For instance, release 2.2 (“Bianca”) uses the package pools of Ubuntu “Edgy Eft” (6.10). Most packages are the same on both distributions and the two systems behave almost identically.

Most differences are on the desktop. Linux Mint comes with home made applications which are designed to enhance the user experience. For instance, mintDesktop allows greater Gnome configuration and automatic browsing of Windows workgroups and network neighbourhoods. MintWifi makes it easier to configure wireless cards without an internet connection. MintDisk mounts NTFS partitions in read/write mode, mintMenu and mintConfig provide new ways to use the Gnome desktop, and so forth.

Multimedia codecs are installed by default in Linux Mint, while some of these are excluded by default in Ubuntu because they are not open source software, but can be added.

Also, because Linux Mint tends to release more frequently than Ubuntu the packages included on the CD may be more up to date, though the update feature in each means this only matters to those without an Internet connection.^{[citation needed]}

Ubuntu has a vastly larger support community than Linux Mint, however it is worth noting that the majority of Ubuntu help and advice is also applicable to Linux Mint. Ubuntu supports more languages from the LiveCD, and comes with better localization.^{[citation needed]} Lastly, whilst Linux Mint only supports x86 architectures, Ubuntu also supports x64, which is important for an increasingly large minority of desktop users as 64-bit processors gain market share.

External links