Simple: The derivative is better.
What makes Linux Mint better than Ubuntu you ask? There are a few things that come to mind:
1.) The System Menu - Mint's menu is based off of the Ubuntu System Panel. It gives a menu that is similar to a KDE style menu in the Gnome desktop.
3.) Default Software - I like Mint's choices of default software. It contains OpenOffice and Firefox, like most distributions, but beyond this it is still shipping with Pidgin as the default IM client, Mozilla's Thunderbird for email, and XChat for IRC communication.
4.) Media Codecs, Flash, and Java by Default - This has to be one of my favorite things about Mint. With a fresh install (or off the live CD), Mint will play just about any media format you can throw at it, stream youtube (or hulu) videos, and run any java application you might have laying around.
5.) Default Theme - Mint's green skin is much nicer to look at as opposed to Ubuntu's brown/orange layout.
Personally, I feel there is very little reason not to use Mint over Ubuntu. Why do I say this? In addition to all of my above reasons, Mint stays on a very close release cycle to that of it's parent distro, meaning it is able to stay fully backwards compatible with all Ubuntu packages (For instance, Mint 8 equates to Ubuntu 9.10 and Mint 7 equates to Ubuntu 9.04 ect.).
Do you have any reasons I did not list here for choosing Mint over Ubuntu? If so, feel free to share.
~Jeff Hoogland
I still prefer pidgin over this buggy newcomer empathy
ReplyDelete@Mek Agreed. I hate empathy. First thing I would always do on a fresh 9.10 install was "sudo apt-get purge empathy && sudo apt-get install pidgin" thehehe
ReplyDeleteI didn't try Mint, but your reasons are tempting me.
ReplyDeleteI used to love Linux Mint but once I learnt of the political implications of its use and its seriously awful 'agendas', I have stayed away from Mint.
ReplyDeleteDo some googling, I'm sure you'll find out what I'm talking about.
A lot of people, esp. those of a Biblical persuasion, have been willing to co-sign Israel's politics. But as time goes by and the atrocities and oppressions keep mounting, some folks have begun to wonder if today's Israel is, in fact, the Israel of Bible prophecy. While you're googling, do feel free to google the Most Reverend Archbishop Desmond Tutu (1984 Nobel Peace Prize for his work based on Ubuntu theology). Mark Shuttleworth, btw, was 11 years old in 1984.
Deletei think you stumbled onto the wrong site, bro. The Ubuntu you're thinking of's the other way.
DeleteNope he got it right - the founder expressed that he disagreed with the political climate in Israel and asked that persons who supported Israel and its current governmental policies - kindly stay away from Mint either in using it or donating to it
DeleteI prefer Ubuntu over mint. Strange, huh? I found empathy quite similar to Pidgin, and since I use a seperate client for the Windows Live Messenger protocoll (emesene) I don't miss the custom emoticons etc.) I don't realy use Evolution as an email client, more like a place, where I backup my gmail account every once in a while, but I love how the todo's etc show up in the gnome-panel calendar app. (I don't know if that's possible with sunbird, but I think not. Oh yeah, it's not even installed, since it's not part of Thunderbird.)
ReplyDeleteThe codecs/flash/java would be an added plus, but a sudo apt-get install ubuntu-restricted-extras does just that in five seconds, so no big deal.
And last but not least, I use a panel setup quite similar to that of the original Ubuntu. (No bottom panel with application switcher, trash and workspace switcher on the original top panel, for window switching I use compiz scale. And I hate Windows XPish/Vistaish/KDEish star menus. I found navigating through the 3 part menu of Gnome way faster then everything else I've tried.)
I prefer mint because I do not always have internet, and I want to listen to music. So if I f*cked up my pc and need to reinstall, which happens weekly xD I can just connect my 2TB HDD and open music. for the rest mint is just pro because they still do pidgin.
ReplyDelete@arnabsdiary
ReplyDeleteAnd what are you talking about? The right for opinion is a right only if it's fitting the dogmatic views of present political paradigm?
That being said, I don't see any reason for using Mint in less than 5 minutes I get the ubuntu-restricted-extras, pidgin and gimp.
Ubuntu's main problem is the bugines (at least in this 9.10 version) and Mint inherits all these problems.
I'm curious as to the 'bad' political agenda of Linux Mint...I can't find anything in a quick search of the 'tubes'.
ReplyDeleteThere are a lot of problems to take into account with the Ubuntu Distro. But with a little time and patience these can be fixed.
ReplyDeleteI love Ubuntu because of the sense of freedom that you dont get with othr operating systems. I love the fact that there are many things that you can configure and change in order to personalise your distro version. I myself have not tried Mint as of yet but are planning to in the near future. I just hope i lives up to what Ubuntu is. And if it is better, well, wow.
Mint is just ubuntu ubuntu+restricted-extras and few added applications that starts with mint**, anyone can take any distro release, modify it add some software to it and give it a name and you have your own distro ... waw ... it's like to say: some people use windows because they think that eveything works in windows and they are afraid using gnu-linux because they say that it's not user friendly, and like one of the top 50 funny Linux quotes:
ReplyDeleteLinux is not user-friendly. It_Is_user-friendly. It is not ignorant-friendly and idiot-friendly.
now just use the computer for smarter reasons
Here is a link referring to arnabsdiary comment. From what I can tell, this is the lead developer's opinion and, as stupid as it was to post it on the forums, or to ask people not to use his software if they don't agree with him, I hardly think it is a reason not to use it.
ReplyDeleteSomeone did take the comment down. People are passionate about their beliefs, and sometimes they share them in places that others deem inappropriate.
If the Mint project was donating money to Hamas, than it would make sense to boycott it, but one developers political opinion does not constitute an "agenda" for the software.
"It gives a menu that is similar to a KDE style menu in the Gnome desktop."
ReplyDeleteahahahhahahahha
sorry cant stop , what a good joke
Mint is definitely a great distro. For now I'm using Ubuntu as my personal main OS. However, Mint is high on my recommend list.
ReplyDeleteThe one thing I stongly recommend it for is as a live-cd/live-usb distro *especially for use at wifi hot-spots*.
Why risk your laptop/netbook at a hotspot when you can boot off a live distro of Mint & browse away?
@Attila Regarding the codecs - as someone else said, it is not hard to add these to Ubuntu, but if you lack internet (or have slow internet like myself) pre-installed codecs are a god send. Time is money as they say.
ReplyDeletethe problem is that linux mint isn't actually a distro that stands on its own. Linux mint will always NEED ubuntu to survive. The only point to this 'operating system' is a few tweaks on Ubuntu.
ReplyDeleteReally - if you want the benefits of linux mint - support the company which does all the ground work.
And before you say it - NO this isnt like saying 'Use Debian cos debian is the source of ubuntu'. Canonical puts active development into Ubuntu. Thats what needs your support.
Linux mint shouldnt exist as a 'distro'. It should mearly exist as a modification or add-on or something to stock Ubuntu.
Linux Mint is a prime example of a fork that harms rather than helps.
I found it to be nice when I used it but it did not run well on my 5+yo laptop. With newer equipment I would probably move to it completely.
ReplyDelete"And before you say it - NO this isnt like saying 'Use Debian cos debian is the source of ubuntu'. Canonical puts active development into Ubuntu. Thats what needs your support."
ReplyDeleteYes, yes it is. Are you saying there isnt any active development into mint? There is no difference here.
The mantra has alyways been "if you don't like it, FORK" and that is exactly what linux mint has done... They have every right to do this.
2.) The Update Manager - I can't tell you the number of times I've had a working Ubuntu system when a kernel (or some other) update comes along and foobars things. Mint's update program nicely divides all updates into different levels of importance so you can toggle which ones you would like to receive (by default, kernel updates are off)
ReplyDeleteI love Ubuntu until that exact thing happens (I've had 3 versions of Ubuntu crap out me because of updates). This alone makes me want to give Mint a try. Thanks for letting me know.
totally agree with this post...
ReplyDeleteClem from Linux Mint probably should have kept his opinions to himself as relates to his distro (the part about not wanting to accept money is pretty dumb), but he had the right to choose not to. As far as supporting the distro if you disagree with his stance, I see no reasons why not. It is not as if Mint is some monstrous entity making big bucks off their distro.
ReplyDeleteThat said... as a NYC Jew I personally agree with his opinion. So that makes me more apt to support him! Too bad I dropped Ubuntu for Windows 7 and have no interest in returning to Linux.
Mint is good. Use it on one of my desktops. Typing from it now. And those who say Mint is only ubuntu with codecs , etc, do wake up. Using that logic, Ubuntu is only Debian with more tweaks. But mint is more than just codecs and themes. Those persist in pushing this image are little more disgruntled Ubuntu fans. Grow up, and realise it has it's own developments and is worked upon, but it only has one full-time dev (Clem), so uses ubuntu as the base. This is not at all uncommon in the open source world, so quit acting like it's some kind of crime. This in-fighting only serves to make us all look like fools, so take the time to step back, and examine the facts, not your own pre-judgements. Cheers.
ReplyDeleteHaving used all three - Debian, Ubuntu and Mint - I can say that I tend to use Ubuntu because it gives me the ease of use I want from an OS, without making too many decisions for me.
ReplyDeleteDebian is probably the most flexible of the three, simply because it is a stripped down bare-bones, add what you like variant. Mint is probably the most new-user friendly of the three, because even Ubuntu isn't foolproof (not to say that Mint is, mind you...)
I think I would have been happiest if, instead of trying spawn a whole new distro with Mint, they had simply created a "Mint Script" that you could run that would tweak your Ubuntu system the same way.
Linux Mint is a derivative of Ubuntu which is a derivative of Debian (Debian' = Ubuntu and Ubuntu' = Linux Mint). Why use a derivative of Ubuntu (or Debian for that matter) instead of just using the original product?
ReplyDeleteSimple: The derivative is better.
/snip/
I can't tell you the number of times I've had a working Ubuntu system when a kernel (or some other) update comes along and foobars things
So.. Ubuntu breaks when you upgrade it but it's still better than Debian? You lost me there....
"foobar" plays media. "fubar" is life playing you.
ReplyDelete@Glenn - Obviously to each their own, but yes I personally prefer Ubuntu to Debian. To be fair having my Linux install get borked by an update is not limited to just Ubuntu, had it happen on other distros as well.
ReplyDeleteThe codecs/flash/java would be an added plus, but a sudo apt-get install ubuntu-restricted-extras does just that in five seconds, so no big deal.
ReplyDeleteMaybe not to you. We install Mint on hundreds of computers a year and give them to disadvantaged kids in the Austin Texas area. From a logistical standpoint, using Ubuntu was costing us countless hours of extra work by installing the "restricted" codecs and applications. Mint allowed us to use that time for something more productive...like building more computers.
While you may think it's a "snap" to apt-get install foo, most new Linux users want to be able to have a functional computer while learning the system. Having hulu.com and youtube fail while they are doing so isn't the friendliest way to do it.
Aside from that, we've found that some of the most annoying bugs in Ubuntu have been fixed in Mint. The "feature" of taking out ctl-alt-backspace is one of the most annoying things Ubuntu has done...and the Linux newbie isn't going to bother looking for the script to fix it in Ubuntu.
The Mint team has done a good job at making a distro for the new Linux User...
Ubuntu could take a few lessons here.
helios
The Control Center is what really sold me on Mint. In Ubuntu the system menu looks like it was loaded into a shotgun and shot onto the screen. I was sick of trying to find what I needed in that unordered mess. With mint it is reasonably ordered and easy to find.
ReplyDeleteAs for getting your codecs set up I believe "PerfectBuntu" written by Robbie Ferguson of Category5 fame, would be the thing you need. As always use what works best for you.
ReplyDeleteokay just for the record, here's the link: http://abriefhistory.org/?p=774
ReplyDeletei have a blog of my own on ubuntu, and i had even reviewed and tested linux mint (in a detailed manner if u see that post)and even titled my blog post as "Linux Mint - a revolution in the making". you can read it here: http://exploreubuntu.wordpress.com/2010/01/09/linux-mint-a-revolution-in-the-making/
but then, someone commented on that post (which you can see if u follow the link) about these issues. from then on i really didnt want to be part of the the distro which had dodgy political issues. I mean, i'm using an OS, and i dont want it be involved with anything political! Ubuntu may be a less user-friendly OS than linux mint but its got no political connections/issues with donations going elsewhere other than program development. its a plain and simple OS. thats all. and thats all i want from an OS.
a point here, had the person not commented on my blog, i would still have been using mint. its really good, very good infact.
I have tried Mint and gave up. Mostly due to the lack of flexibility (couldn't add repositories). Also in terms of expert knowledge of the forum, I find that Debian > Ubuntu > Mint.
ReplyDeleteWhatever Mint has more than Ubuntu, I can make it may in 30 minutes - 1 hour of customization. Of course, except for the mint* specific parts.
I have a 2nd machine using Mint for almost a year at home. I didn't see anything outstanding enough that I would qualify as revelation. I am not bashing Mint, it is suitable for certain category of users who prefer a nice pkg and who tend not to tinker to much with the OS. Personally, I learn more by using Ubuntu and Debian.
@arnabsdiary While I understand your reason for not using, why I choose to use it is simple:
ReplyDeleteI use Linux because I feel it is easier/better than other operating systems out there. Mint makes it even easier and better. Something does not have to be difficult or complex to be good.
@Innocent ByStander Did you read my last paragraph? Mint is fully backward compatible Ubuntu repositories/packages. I have never had an issue adding an Ubuntu repo under Linux Mint.
ReplyDeleteI've been using Ubuntu since Dapper & have never had it "crap" out on me after a kernel upgrade.
ReplyDeleteanother comment, pardon me if u think i'm commenting 'too much'. :)
ReplyDeletejust thought about something deeply and thats why i need say this. plz bear with me.
i love linux mint (if i completely neglect its political issues for the time being). but isnt linux mint actually ubuntu? ubuntu was always 'ugly' u know. and frankly speaking, with a bit of tweaking (which is very easy to do considering the fact that u just need to install a dock package and compiz to make ubuntu look something like this):
http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/7738/screenshot001vi.png
now what i fear is on a basic level and something most users wouldnt generally care about. ubuntu is making the distro, putting all the money in, mark shuttleworth has deep pockets but his wealth clearly isnt infinite (because ubuntu recently had to go into a deal with yahoo, so that it could pay its developers better). at this stage what ubuntu needs is constant support from the ubuntu community. now if linux mint is essentially using the ubuntu repos and asking users to abandon ubuntu (obviously one would hardly use 2 similar OSes) then isnt it taking the credit away from ubuntu devs and the ubuntu community who have put their heart an soul into developing the OS? in other words isnt linux mint taking users away from ubuntu? i agree linux mint does its own development, but frankly the development done by linux mint is only 'cosmetic'/about how it looks etc. Say (and this is very much possible considering the amount of corporate infiltration that has happened in the OS arena) that canonical one day finds itself incapable of continuing to support ubuntu. what would happen then? we would lose ubuntu, and of course there would be nothing called linux mint. we dont believe (or lets say we dont WANT to believe) that such a day would come when canonical stops financial support for ubuntu, but trust me its possible, if not probable.
i hope u guys realise that supporting a true distro is more important than supporting a remix that can potentially harm the original distro (again, this is because linux mint innovations are most of the time cosmetic and hardly on a structural/security level).
and frankly, is ubuntu that difficult to use? i think we are over-exaggerating the difficulty/user-friendliness (or lack of it) of ubuntu here. and moreover, isnt the ubuntuforums really really helpful?
again, i really dont have any intention to spread anti-linux mint sentiment. i totally respect people who use linux mint. but there are things that need to be considered, things much deeper than what meets the eye.
Hmmms, I tried both and my conclusion is Ubuntu is still just as good. I have one laptop running ubuntu, one mint and honestly I like them both.
ReplyDeleteI've been using Mint for 3 months now and love it. The only thing I noticed was a lacking "networking" section. No built-in support for Kerberos/LDAP stuff but since it is a derivative of Debian, I was able to get what I needed with a little bit of elbow grease.
ReplyDeleteNice post.
the development done by linux mint is only 'cosmetic'/about how it looks etc.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely incorrect.
All you have to do is go to their dev channel on IRC and watch the discussions on bug fixes. Some of the Ubuntu bugs have been there for three releases or more. The Mint guys go in and fix them as they can. In Ubuntu, Firefox stole massive memory and cpu cycles from me...in Mint the problem is gone.
I'm not here to argue for or against either aside from my personal needs as The Director of a Charity. Mint is far from a cosmetic change in Ubuntu. These guys bust their backsides to clean up some old and obnoxious problems in Ubuntu and carry those improvements over in Mint.
Then again, as far as old bugs go...seems to me when you fix all the problems, you might work yourself out of a job.
Seems to me.
h
Mint has no upgrade process, e.g. from Mint 7 to Mint 8. They basically recommend a clean install, after backing up data on DVDs/CDs. "You should do that anyway," thay say.
ReplyDeleteSorry, Ubuntu offers straightforward updates, version to version. Much simpler for those of us who want a working OS and not a lot of time & energy on upgrades.
Only real "drawback" to Ubuntu is the avi codecs etc., which is one download from Pkg Mgr.
Mint 8 inherits NONE of Ubuntu 9.10's bugs. Not a single one. So anyone who says it does has obviously NOT installed it. Period.
ReplyDelete"Mint has no upgrade process, e.g. from Mint 7 to Mint 8. They basically recommend a clean install, after backing up data on DVDs/CDs. "You should do that anyway," thay say.Sorry, Ubuntu offers straightforward updates, version to version. Much simpler for those of us who want a working OS and not a lot of time & energy on upgrades."
ReplyDeleteThat is a flat out lie.
Both Mint and Ubuntu can be upgraded in the exact same way.. and BOTH recommend NOT Upgrading in-line. In fact most Linux distros (With exception to rolling releases like Arch) recommend a fresh install with each upgrade. Do some research or go back to Windows.
I too liked to use Ubuntu, but for me, it is all about videos which I think are extremely important. No matter how many times I added the restricted codecs, Ubuntu would only play videos well enough half the time. That is a deal breaker for me.
ReplyDeleteMint always plays whatever videos I want extremely well.
I prefer mint over ubuntu mainly because of the fact that they include codecs so I have a complete working desktop os out of the box. This is especially wonderful for users like me living in developing countries that have terrible and expensive internet facilities and download speeds (average download speed here is 20kbps) and it really helps when I want to introduce linux to people cos some of them just want a working os where they do there basic work eg creating documents, watchin movies. No one buys softwares here instead, we all use pirated ones cos no one is ready to shell out 40k for an os, (thats my currency equivalent of windows 7).
ReplyDeleteAs for folks saying that mint is just ubuntu wit the restricted extras and no development going into it. I suggest u take a good second look at mint and you will find some tools native to the distro eg mint nanny and the mint menu. If mint is ubuntu wit the extras, then we could say the same for ubuntu wit debian and ultimately we will end up having maybe just 3 true distros viz Red Hat, Debian and Slackware. Ubuntu is a nice distro and even has some features that makes it better than mint and being older, its more mature but as for me, I prefer mint simply for the above reason.
Just my two cents.
It's too bad someone mixes his politics with his programming. Such negative advertising can only be a distraction to one of the most important efforts toward a world of sharing. I am not fond of the *state* of Israel or its neighbors, I won't be surprised if things turn tragic for all. Glad I don't have to live there...
ReplyDeleteLinux Mint CE KDE is one of the best KDE implementations out there. By contrast IMHO kubuntu has always been one of the worst.
ReplyDeleteI run Debian on my main box because I need some fine grained control. I spend many hours setting Debian up just the way I like it. On all of my other boxes and notebooks I use Mint. It already has everything I want/need for those machines saving me a ton of time. It's quick and painless and very stable.
Political malfunctions aside, Linux Mint CE KDE is what kubuntu should have been but aparently never will be.
Repos, repos, repos. I use a LOT of extra repos, because there are numerous multimedia packages where I need the latest release or even daily builds. I seriously doubt if the packages I end up using would be compatible with Mint, or if those repos would even work.
ReplyDeleteDoes it contain the latest versions of apps? Like Thunderbird 3, Firefox 2.5, OpenOffice, etc? The "Shiretoko" thing in Jaunty pissed me off.
ReplyDelete@Anoymous Two above me, I have at least 11 extra repositories on my system that are for Ubuntu 9.10 and they all work 100% fine. Mint should be fully backwards compatible as I've said a couple of times now.
ReplyDeleteHaving used Mint for about 6months or so, I found it to be a great distro. Clem was brave to provoke the ire of the zionists. Haven't his comments taken on a different completion with the recent war crime findings...
ReplyDeleteI first used Mandriva about 3 years ago when I first got interested in Linux. Kubuntu wasnt remotely close and it had (and STILL does!!!) an ugly DOS dialog box to dual boot. THe first time my son saw it he went "Oh no, what happened?"
ReplyDeleteI then discovered PCLinuxOS2007 which ended up being the Linux I first gave my folks.
Mandriva was great but like Mint, PCLinuxOS was polished the way I like it.
Were back at Mandriva for the household (I am writing this on Kubuntu running on a spare test laptop) and Im rocking Arch and Gentoo on my own gear but once PCLinuxOS switches to KDE4, I have a feeling Ill be back.
Im not a big fan of Ubuntu (actually I hate GNOME with a passion) but I have run it side by side with Mint and I love the touches Mint brings in.
To be honest, Im not a big "this distro is better" kinda guy. The differences between different distros using the same desktop are minimal (I offer friends who want to switch both DE's and XCFE for old hardware) and I think the desktop is much more important decision that distro.
But even I have to admit that Mint like PCLinuxOS does a better job than its famous originators.
People keep whining about too much choice (I love how in a country which pimps democracy, people get upset when there is a third choice as if democracy was better served by only two choices) in Linux but I find that is its strength.
When you see something like Mint, you realize it too.
I have had some limited experience with mint.
ReplyDeleteI've been using ubuntu for a while.
I have moderately customized ubuntu, added codecs, changed themes and visual effects, added and removed preloaded programs.
I may or may not change to mint. Fortunately, I very happily have a /home partition :)
I think I'll give a try (why not)
I recently switched from Ubuntu to Linux Mint. I love it.
ReplyDeleteI've been an Ubuntu user since 5.04 and have lived and learned with the OS. But recent upgrade from 8.10 to 9.04, on a custom built computer, had several problems from the start. Next step was a backup of my home folder and a fresh install of 9.10. But there were still problems so I downloaded the Mint 8 .ISO and burned the live cd to try it out. Everything worked without tweaks and such so I installed Mint and I'm a happy user now.
ReplyDeletei must say i agree. mint better than ubuntu, but mint just make a good thing better :)
ReplyDeletebut if we dont have ubuntu at 1st place, mint are mean nothing.
juz my 2 cents
To not update the kernel seemse to be a great idéa! Not! ;)
ReplyDeleteWhat problems have you had?
I'm running Ubuntu since 6.06, I'm currently using Ubuntu on 4 machines and I never had any problems with the updates. :)
@Hund - I file not updating my kernel under "Don't fix what isn't broken" meaning unless I have a new piece of hardware the newer kernel adds support for I see very little reason to update a working system to the newest version.
ReplyDeleteI often wonder why people care about which default applications a distro provides. It's not as if you need to install everything every week, is it? So if you miss something in any distro, just install it and forget about why it wasn't there initially.
ReplyDeleteBTW, as for screwing with one's installation, I recently tried Fedora (used to use SLES or Ubuntu), and found that of all the 6-7 distros I have tried over the past 6 months, Fedora couldn't figure my w/l card out. Just goes to show that YMMV.
I've felt the same way since I first tried Mint a couple of years ago, the thing is that in the end I like Ubuntu looks out of the box, it feels more like Mac and Mint feels like Windows. I know I can change themes, add and remove panels, but still. I would also like Mint to be more blue and less green, it might sound stupid but those are my complains about Mint. Besides that the software and codec choice that comes with Mint is great. For instante, Mint recognized my Broadcom WiFi card out of the box and Ubuntu didn't until 9.04, with Ubuntu I had to go ndiswrapper way which is kinda lame after a few times. Anyways, great post.
ReplyDeleteRemember freedom not as in free beer? Forking is absolutely promoted by the open source license. It's not seen as stealing someone's hard work, but sharing knowledge. If everyone shares knowledge, everyone gets smarter. For instance, Ubuntu developers can also use the fixes Mint makes to their distribution. So they can benefit as well.
ReplyDeleteInteresting comment about installing multiple computers. Can't you use a custom image (tweak Ubuntu and then grab the image to deploy)? And scripts to automate the installing script? That would be just as fast.
But I personally prefer using the Mint (live CD) over Ubuntu because on some PC's (because I don't own them) I don't want to install Linux permanently.
I use Ubuntu but recommend Mint to friends and relaltives. Why? Because I don't want to have to talk them through adding those little extras, and most find the toolbar layout more familiar (they are ex-windows users). While Im happy to do my own tweaking, I would rather avoid unnecessary phone support. I handed my brother a Mint DVD and he had it installed in no time. He is now incredulous that people are still using Windows.
ReplyDeleteSpreading Mint is spreading Ubuntu, is spreading Debian, is spreading GNU/Linux. Mints use of Ubuntu is a compliment to Ububtu, Debian, GNU/Linux. Each makes its contribution in the chain of sharing.
ReplyDeleteEmpathy is pathetic. Empathetic.
ReplyDeleteLinux Mint is great for an individual that never tried linux because it offers very little choices, but does have all the restrictive packages installed so the new user can have fun without needing to consider many new things. It's scaled down options will not scare the new user. However, for someone that is more experienced and likes adding repositories and changing the long in manager , window manager and do more personal customizing , ubuntu/kubuntu is better.
ReplyDeleteGeh. I'm sick of Ubuntu and it's derivatives. I'll be headed for a pure KDE distro if the next Kubuntu doesn't serve me well... That said, this Kubuntu is great (apart from Flash)...
ReplyDeleteYou know what? I think a lot of previous commenters are right - there's nothing Mint can do that Ubuntu can't, with a couple of very quick installations etc.
ReplyDeleteHowever, it DOES have a clear advantage in one area - cosmetics. It's far more aesthetically pleasing. In point of fact it's really sleek in comparison to Ubuntu's (occasional) 70's nightmare of browns and orange. The whole green 'mint' allusion to it's namesake is far easier on the eye and...well, refreshing.
The long touted GUI improvements to Ubuntu just never seem to happen - and I think the appropriate dev team could definitely learn one or two tricks from the folks in charge of Mint's lick of paint.
Mint is better than Ubuntu in every way. It's the only Gnome Distro that I would use (I actually have it installed alongside openSuse 11.2) if KDE should die overnight.
ReplyDeleteStarting with the colour. I prefer the minty colour a lot more than the Ubuntu brown.
Mint is simple nice and it just works. If it were a KDE distro then I would be tempted to make it to my default Desktop OS.
Yes I know that I can install KDE but it's still not as polished as that of openSuse.
For a Gnome distro it#s really top :)
TGM, you could try openSuse. I personally think it's the most polished and best KDE distro available. I have to disappoint you about Flash though. Flash is miserable on all Linux distros.
ReplyDeleteAdobe only delivers high quality Flash plug-in for Windows. The same with Skype. It works on Linux yes but not as good as the Windows version. We need top quality open source alternatives for these two programmes.
I used Mint 7 (Gloria) and absolutely loved it. I think that for those who love Mint but are conflicted about donating to the project because of Clem's politics can simply remove the default "Mint Search" and replace it with something else. It is the "Mint Search" that raises money with every Google search. I would replace it with Ubuntu's Yahoo, to help that project rather than Clem's politically-charged Ubuntu remix.
ReplyDeleteGo ahead and use Mint - but without supporting it if you're bothered by the politics as I am.
I used Mint for the "9.04" cycle, since so many people recommended it, but switched back to Ubuntu for the "9.10" cycle.
ReplyDeleteIt's not that I *disliked* Mint - obviously, I would have switched back sooner with motivation - but rather I find Ubuntu just more comfortable.
I *like* the brown theme, and found Mint green a bit garish. I *like* the Applications / Places / System menu bar at the top, and found Mint's reversion to a Windows Start-like button less intuitive to the way I think. And I *like* the breadth and depth of Ubuntu community, which Mint has not yet built.
The pre-installed codecs and Pigdin were nice, but that's just a blip in the Ubuntu stand up and not worth the change. Just my $0.02 - Mint's a fine distro, just not my favorite. Nice article, though.
@ ricegf
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with you on the Mint menu. I'm not a big fan. It just simplifies things to right click and hit remove then add to panel/custom menu. Bingo, you have the applications places system menu in place.
Never did see the logic in that menu but then again, you are asking the wrong person to identify logic.
h
This article is weak. I was hoping for some real concrete reasons why people choose Mint, not a list of 5 apparent differences between the two, to be left up to opinion.
ReplyDeleteI should say, I use Mint 8 everywhere, no dual-booting or other distros. I found the one I'll stick with until I see something better. It is a fantastic derivative of Ubuntu for so many more reasons than listed here.
One thing I'm stuck on though... why does everyone play up the System Menu? I don't care if it mirrors what KDE has, I find it annoyingly large and unnecessary. We need to find ways to navigate the system without using a menu. (I really hate to compare but) how many Apple users do you see clicking and navigating through a cascading series of menus to get what they want done? It's a primitive and MS-like way of achieving simple tasks, and one of the main reasons I've neglected to fully explore KDE.
Enlightenment had it right, taking the simplified version of that window and making it accessible with a click anywhere on the desktop. And the popular programs going right down the side, just one click away.
It's time for Linux articles with an original idea or two, and a serious analysis of what makes sense and what doesn't in our often-enclosed little bubble.
Using Mint only gives that Jackwad more of a voice, and his extreme political opinions were posted ON the mint website for all to see. He's a wingnut. Too bad, too because it's not a bad distro, even if he's only building 2% on top of the other 98% of the hard work of others in the Debian and Ubuntu communities.
ReplyDeleteI simply cannot support anyone with such extreme agendas.
Did anyone bother to mention that Mint takes over your Firefox based Google searches?
ReplyDeleteHe gets referring site kickbacks off every search you make, unless you remove the additions to Firefox (not as easy as it sounds iirc)
I used Mint for a while, but because the layout and menus are different it was harder to get support and fix problems.
ReplyDelete@Jeff91: It's a god idéa to have a updated system: http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing wrong with mixing "politics" and "programming" provided one's politics are about helping disempowered people (as the programmer's politics clearly are). There is a "boycott Israel" movement gaining steam that's analagous to the boycott South Africa movement (Nelson Mandela's ANC were called "terrorists," too) of the 1980's:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.boycottisraelnow.com/list.htm
If you look at the companies they're asking you to boycott (including Intel), you'll realize that the boycotters are insisting that one's "politics" cannot be separated from the rest of one's life (programming, included). I find it strange that people who are interested in GNU/Linux (which is itself a political movement) are so comfortable with separating programming from politics.
On the same machine, after a fresh install of Ubuntu (9.10), the cursor disappeared! On a fresh Mint (8) install it did not! Win XP won't install at all. So my wife is using Mint right now!
ReplyDeleteNot sure about the www.boycottisraelnow.com site (not too familiar with it honestly, and maybe it is an offshoot of the following), but the BDS movement is gaining steam left and right - httP://www.bdsmovement.net
ReplyDeleteThe BDS movement has the support of a number of Israelis + diaspora Jews (including me) :) Not that other such groups are not cool but I like that BDS openly and prominently features many Jewish voices in the struggle. Damn the self-haters!
Ubuntu 10.04 beats all. As for updates, never had updates in Ubuntu that "foobared" anything. I have had Ubuntu since 8.04 and never had one single issue.
ReplyDeleteAs arnabsdiary mentioned, this distrobution involves politices into open source world,
ReplyDeleteso after some aweful post which I read from official Mint's website I would never install it again.
(sorry about my bad english)
I'd just like to say for all of those who are saying that they will not use Mint because of political reasons - Do you really think the creators of other distributions have no political beliefs or that you agree with them fully? Obviously Clem (the creator of Linux Mint) made a poor choice in voicing his opinion on the Mint Blog, but I would like to also point out that he made the right choice and took down said post.
ReplyDeleteNot using something that is good software because you disagree with something the creator does or says politically... Well thats just goofy. To each their own though, the FOSS world is all about choice.
I personally feel one should try many distros. It gives a better understanding of the basic Linux features. Plus, it's good to enhance your knowledge. The main advantage of Linux is that it offers you many flavours, it's just that people use different distros according to their taste, compatibility, ease and personal likings. I am an Ubuntu user myself, and have never used Mint, but from your blog I can infer that it must be really good.
ReplyDeleteKeep blogging!
all linux distro's are great.
ReplyDeleteLong live linux
Long live windows(only for competition :-)
It's "fubar"
ReplyDeleteI tried it once, (I think it was Mint 6). It says it is "elegant", but it is only in the surface. Some of the program additions didn't look elegant to me.
ReplyDelete"Why use a derivative of Ubuntu (or Debian for that matter) instead of just using the original product?
ReplyDeleteSimple: The derivative is better."
"Better" is an entirely subjective term.
I started with Ubuntu and Kubuntu, but I've used Debian since 2007 because it is smaller, faster, more stable and more reliable that any of the 'buntu derivatives or their derivatives.
The only downside is that it takes more work to configure Debian than it does to configure "Debian with training wheels" distros like Ubuntu and Mint.
But it's really worth it.
I use Ubuntu in my office and I felt it's a perfect for the office use. The most important thing my boss likes about it is the security and traceability it provides. I like the use of pidgin. That's my favourite software in Ubuntu as let me be connected with my friends. But my boss doesn't like it because it give him less work because of lots of chatting. :-)
ReplyDeleteMint over Ubuntu, support the original distro, bug here bugs there, bla bla bla...
ReplyDeleteFor me personally, I install Ubuntu, lots of things on my machine din't work. I install Mint, (fist time user of mint), everything worked, and that's very special considering I have a ATI grfx card :)
So now I use Mint. I dunno what big the difference is between the distros, but one thing is for sure, Mint hit a nerve with me. Now I'm a fan.
Like many before me, I just like the way Linux Mint looks and feels. Honestly, although I have no problem with mucking around in Terminal, I prefer a nice GUI any-day. And Linux Mint provides. I've had less problems in Linux Mint than any other Linux distro.
ReplyDeleteAs for Ubuntu, I prefer green over brown.
I'm intrigued with changing over to Mint after fighting some issues in Ubuntu.
ReplyDeleteHowever, for my personal preference, I LOVE the orange brown colors of Ubuntu. Not really a "green" color kind of person.
I'm intrigued with changing over to Mint after fighting some issues in Ubuntu.
ReplyDeleteHowever, for my personal preference, I LOVE the dark brown colors of Ubuntu on the panels and slider bars.
I like green a lot, but not so much in the OS / desktop way.
It's funny that people get their panties in a twist because someone took a political stance. I remember years ago that my first contact with Linux was a little book talking about open source , the 'freedom' movement and the politics involved with that. (Am I wrong to say that GNU Linux is the communism to Apple's capitalism?)
ReplyDeleteAs for Linux Mint or Ubuntu... I've used both a lot. I generally prefer Mint, because up until Ubuntu 9.10, that (aside Zenwalk) was the only distro that included my wireless drivers, so I didn't need to move my desktop across the house and hook it up to the router. That's a pretty big motivator.
The extra codecs etc, sure you can install them separately with Ubuntu. Why though? I mean: MP3, AVI, Flash,... They've become part of the fundamentals of the computer experience, so it seems logical to support them from the get go.
I've been a linux mint user up until now and in fact, I'm still on Linux Mint 8. However, startin with Lucid, I'm coming over to Ubuntu. The reasons I used Mint was that it saved me the trouble of some installing, removing, tweaking and changing of themes. Nevertheless, I think now the main tweaks I used to use Mint for are not relevant anyomore as the issues have been dealt with by Cannonical. Themes have gotten way better in Ubuntu and there's always the possibility to customize. Moreover, the software selection for Mint isn't as good as it used to (e.g.: gnome-do removed, I don't know why) plus - the Mint creators are forcing their own utilites on the Mint users, even though there's better alternatives already. The Software Center, for instance, is way inferior to Ubuntu's software store, but it gets kept, obviously just cuz it took a lot of work to develop. There's more applications that are forced on the user just for this reason. And when I say forced, I mean it, cuz they can't be removed as that would disrupt some irrationaly formed core system dependencies.
ReplyDeleteGood opening article. The main article has to be good, not so much for its content, but for the contributions it has solicited. I've found other peoples views good to read.
ReplyDeleteI was a hard and fast Windows user until about a year back, when I just rallied against Micro$oft's monopoly. I dived in and tried most of the Linux distros. I was looking for something that would at least detect my laptop hardware 'straight out of the box'. Some distros were non-starters for me. Debian I would have been happy with, but just couldn't get the widescreen video driver sorted. Tried Ubuntu, but didn't like the jungle drums or the fact that the media codecs needed to be added on. What I did like about Ubuntu was its philosophy that everyone should have free access to the internet and to a computer.
I eventually came to Linux Mint 8.0. An easy install with all hardware detected. The Gnome desktop worked without a hitch. Interestingly, I also tried the Linux Mint KDE and XFCE versions, but couldn't configure the desktop (fonts) to look as good as the Gnome desktop looked.
Then I went out and purchased Microsoft Windows 7 and Office 2007. I installed MS 7 as my primary OS, but within two weeks Linux Mint 8.0 (Gnome) was back as my primary OS and Windows 7 was a virtual computer inside VirtualBox. I think this action says a lot about my view of Linux Mint. I was prepared to put 300 UK pounds worth of software inside a virtual desktop within Linux Mint rather than have it as a main OS.
Others have commented on the fact that Linux Mint developers are taking a free ride on the back on ubuntu developers (who take the burden of the development cost). I don't agree with this at all. You could easily argue that Linux Mint developers are correcting ubuntu bugs and receive no funding for doing so.
I would definitely recommend Linux Mint to anyone thinking of moving away from Windows who wants an easy install and all the media codecs they would need.
As for the political views of the developer, couldn't really figure out who side he was on. I lived in Israel for a year on a kibbutz and know badly the Palestinians are treated. But Arab-Jewish politics has nothing to do with operating systems. Linux Mint is a great OS, whichever way the political wind blows in the Middle East!
"I can't tell you the number of times I've had a working Ubuntu system when a kernel (or some other) update comes along and foobars things."
ReplyDeleteSeriously? That is something I've never seen happen and I've used Ubuntu on several computers since it became available.
Nonetheless, I do like many of the features of Mint and I'm going to try it.
There is one thing most of the commentators seem to have in common.
ReplyDeleteThey seem to suggest that Ubuntu is no great problem if you learn how to use "The terminal" and "Repositories".
These are the very things I find so difficult.
Whenever I need to do something, I have to search on the Internet, and if I am lucky find commands on forums, such as "sudo apt get".
I them copy and paste them.
Sometimes it works, sometimes it does not because I have not fully understood.
Microsoft for all its faults and shortcomings has never had that cumbersome method since the days of "Dos commands"
People who are well-knowledgable and experienced in linux, distros, and all the other jargon, fail to see the obvious.
That click and play, click to install, click "next" is what user-friendly is all about.
That is why in my opinion Linux, fantastic though it is will always lag behind Microsoft.
It would be my view that this need not be.
The vulnerability to viruses of Microsoft code, and the considerable damage it has done, and continues to do, will continue.
The reason is plain simple, and what contributed to Bill Gates becoming at one time the richest man in the world.
Ordinary people want something simple, that is user-friendly, and that is where MS software scores, despite all its limitation.
Bill Gate was very shrewd and observant.
He learned the lesson well - "KISS"
.
Keep it Simple, Stupid.
I'm not quite sure we can make installing software any easier than it is installing from the software center or via gdebi...
ReplyDeleteAs for that "scary command line" you only really need to use that in Ubuntu as much as you want to. Honestly when I am on Windows I've had to crack open command prompt to do things before because it is just quicker.
Good attempt at a troll though.
Longtime user of Ubuntu 9.04.
ReplyDeleteI settled for Mint 9 after trying 10.04.
I found Mint's developments both Neat and clean.
Happy camper ever since.
Hats go off to the whole Debian lineage. I can start with Ubuntu, Xubuntu, Mint, or even Debian herself, and once all my favorite tweaks are done there are barely any differences. It is important to start with different derivatives on different machines however, because otherwise you may miss out on that next great tweak which is [just barely] representative of that particular distro.
ReplyDeleteAnd for those who haven't already figured this out about Linux: Distros are just starting points.
Mint just happens to include stuff that Ubuntu feels is not P.C., but that you the final owner ends up adding anyway...
One would think that a few Linux big knobs from Ubuntu, Mint or Pclinuxos for example, would put their heads together and put out one fantastic Linux OS that would send shivers down Micro$oft's back.I don't understand all this bickering between linux distros when they could be joining forces to make one unique O/S.
ReplyDeleteThere's bickering because Linux is a political movement but at the same time it's a geek movement.
ReplyDeleteIn that sense, it's no more no less hypocritical than the beliefs of political parties.
The culture asks and admires FOSS but by that same token, the culture is very protective of FOSS and inside that token there's lots of people with different agendas and different definitions of "what can you do for me?"
It is only less selfish in that the community is more knowledgeable than the average bystander/user and in that regards it's much easier to contribute voluntarily but in that same regards, it's much easier to bicker.
It's like an open art bazaar where if someone tries to build a pop culture section in the middle of it even a necessary one that promotes increased exposure, it is looked down upon but as soon as someone builds another one and improves on the previously successful section, it is looked down upon as degenerating things.
Even in the context of politics, what Clem did by sharing his political views is less "evil" than what Ubuntu does by monopolizing fixes from the rest of the Linux community. Neither are really against the rules but Clem's politics in the long run hurts FOSS less compared to the way Ubuntu contributes to the Linux community in general. It's just it's tech politics and that's why it's easier to ruffle less feathers.
I don't mean to come off as a Linux Mint extremist the other way but sometimes extreme hyperbole needs to counter extreme hyperbole.
Mint is based on Ubuntu because Ubuntu is much newbie user friendlier than other distroes and therefore much more practical to work on and improved upon and saves less time than building a distro from scratch.
That said, Clem obviously knows enough on how to develop for Linux as can be seen with his Mint Tools and he is very receptive towards criticism and so far he has also held up well on leading the project that it's clear Mint isn't shackled to Ubuntu and that's if the other community derivatives are not enough proof of that.
That said I don't personally know the guy and I'm a Windows user who just keeps up on some form of Linux news and I'm not guaranteeing my views to be accurate at all. It's just the way some people defend Ubuntu borders on silliness and tunnel vision.
Just reading further on your website and although I am an arch linux fanboy, these distros are nice for people first starting out with linux. If you want to have full control of your operating system then I would suggest using something more customizabled such as arch, slackware, or gentoo.
ReplyDeleteJust my 2 cents: regarding political views, I don't think it is abhorrent to be horrified at how the innocent civilians (women and children especially) in Gaza were dying. In any case, the lead developer apologized for making his comments in a way that was perceived as offensive and concluded by saying that anyone who supports violence on either side should not be supported.
ReplyDeleteWith regard to Mint existing only because of Ubuntu, this is not entirely true anymore because there is a version of Mint LXDE for PowerPC that is based off of straight-up Debian stable (Lenny). I feel like just as CrunchBang is moving to the original Debian roots (and is leaving Ubuntu), Linux Mint will eventually follow suit.
I am very happy with Mint. It's great. I used ubuntu but I am for the ease of use as I am not much into computers but more into networking with others and enjoying my pc. I love the idea that we can spread ideas around better with open source. Everyone benefits from this. I do agree that perhaps for the sake of competition all the geniuses in open source could come together to make one really competitive OS and Clem could fine tune it for all the world to enjoy. Clem is a non violent guy who understands that hate and violence largely begets more of the same. I think politics is great because it is a way we have found to get things done without a war. Those on either side of a conflict need to hold the others babies and look into the eyes of the other's kids and then hand them back, and mother's around the world need computers to become neighbors and friends. Then we won't do the child abuse that war is, and we will live in a world united with hope. Linux and open source will help make this a reality in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteLook dude, about 50% of Linux users use Ubuntu. This is the reason I use it - big support, big forums, fast answer to any questions for newbies. Ubuntu has the biggest software support of all Linux distributions. Good release period - 2 per year.
ReplyDeleteI gave up on Ubuntu after 7.10, it kept breaking on me after updates and I have better things to do with my time than fix my OS on a weekly basis. I tried it again with 10.04 and found that it was worse than ever.
ReplyDeleteIt's buggy, things don't work as they should. Mint takes care of those things that slow Ubuntu down and it runs much smoother.
As for the politics thing...you should think about the rhetoric that the inventor of the transistor ascribed to. Shockley was all for eugenics and yet nobody thinks twice about using electronics because of that.
I wish people didn't kill other people all the time, it's sad really and such a waste. Clem is entitled to his opinion and I have no problem using Mint because of his opinions.
I do agree, Mint is better then Ubuntu.
ReplyDeleteLinux Mints 'evil agenda' is WHY I decided to try their OS, and I was blown away by the improvements. I loved it and have not gone back since.
ReplyDeleteI married into a progressive Jewish family, and none of them are offended that we support human rights for the Palestinians. We see nothing offensive in Linux Mint opposing war crimes in Gaza and hardly think that their agenda is in any way evil or offensive.....in fact, I have great respect for the political opinions of the Devs and hope they continue to be outspoken in the future.
You can please some of the people all of the time and all of the people some of the time, but you can never please all of the people all of the time.
ReplyDeleteSo .... to each his own.
I prefer linux mint.
I liked Mint, starting with version 5 "Elyssa", onward, up until Clem made his political statement.
ReplyDeleteLike everyone else, Clement Lefebvre, the lead developer of Linux Mint, is entitled to his opinion. His original statement was: "I’m only going to ask for one thing here. If you do not agree I kindly ask you not to use Linux Mint and not to donate money to it."
You have to respect a guy and his wishes.
More from http://abriefhistory.org/?p=774
Further down the article, this comment from "Robin" explains the situation more succinctly.
Robin says:
June 11, 2009 at 12:38 pm
Don’t imagine that you can continue using Linux Mint without supporting it financially. They have built-in moneymaking add-ons in Linux Mint like the default search engine, for example, that appends a Linux Mint logo to Google and “improves” (according to the file description) search results. The project’s richest revenue source BY FAR is it’s default home page and their Google tool. Clem said so himself, here: http://www.linuxmint.com/blog/?p=142
If you USE Linux Mint, you are SUPPORTING the project “involuntarily” – or at least unawares – unless you set a different home page and search directly from Google or your search engine of choice.
Ignore the “how to remove it” advice in his post. It doesn’t work, and he’s not about to publish anything that would reduce his revenue stream. He’ll still have plenty of money to send to his terrorist friends in Hamas.
I just tried Linux Mint on my Dell Dimension 2400 today and it loaded effortlessly. I like it better than Ubuntu. I had a few problems with Ubuntu concerning Firefox and a really bad lag when pulling up new pages. With Mint no problems at all. Perfect!!!
ReplyDeletehey man try reducing the length of ur home page... its toooooooo long to read...
ReplyDeleteMy system will absolutely not boot stock ubuntu 10.04.1 (I spent hours trying to figure it out, tried multiple iso downloads too.
ReplyDeleteIt will boot mint 9 on first try.
Something went wrong with the .1 edition that doesn't like my system.
I'm using mint.
wow some right bigoted comments here, personally I respect the guy for his comments and support his opinion, politics aside, Linux Mint works for me far better than Ubuntu (which I Like) and still support but then I still try other distros and try and help out in their forums, its about improving thimgs for everyone not just me and my distro.
ReplyDeleteI take it that none of the people dropping mint on political grounds have ever used any product manufactured by someone they politically disagree with. I assume none of them has ever used a Ford (given Henry Ford's attitudes towards Jewish people) or anything designed or built by IBM given their actions in Germany during the 30s and 40s.
ReplyDeleteFurthermore, that as far as I can see he didn't "support terrorism" in fact with his subsequent comments it seems apparent that he is generally "anti-violence against civilians", regardless of nationality.
Like many people here, I'm puzzled that anyone would drop Mint thanks to its founders (actually, fairly moderate) political opinions. If you won't use software built by those suspicious of the Israeli government, software by anarcho-capitalists or any other non-centrist viewpoint, you aren't going to have much left. Seeing as Shockley (transistors) became a eugenicist, Von Neumann (programmable computers) was a virulent militarist, and IBM (I shouldn't need to tell you) had its own links to Nazism, if you're looking for politically 'safe' computing, you're out of luck.
ReplyDeleteMore importantly, 'Clem' can't even ask you not to use Mint. He has released the software as open source, so you're free to use it whatever your particular political alignment, goals or favourite ice-cream flavour.
Mint may be a good distro for people switching from windows. It does have the windows look and feel but i prefer Ubuntu. When I started using Linux in the days of Redhat 6 I did like KDE for its windows like feel. It made the transition easier and looked better than gnome. Fortunately things have improved in the last 10 years. I think the mint Menu (and the windows start menu for that matter) is too cluttered. Ubuntu does a great job of categorizing the menus. Also so many people are comparing the menu to KDE. Why not just use KDE? Bottom line is Mint is nice and I'd have no problem using it but Ubuntu is still my distro of choice. However, if Mint brings people into the Linux world and away from corporate operating systems (Mac included) more power to it!
ReplyDeleteIn mint you can't format a disk from right click menu.... a small yet significant shortcomin. .. :-(
ReplyDeleteI remember reading in The Official Ubuntu Book that Mark Shuttleworth actually states that he is happy with forks and derivatives. Do we think that the Mint bug fixes and enhancements are not available upstream? Sure they are! Personally I think that if you are using Mint, you are helping Ubuntu succeed. I do not use Mint, in fact I have never tried it and I don't intend to. I'm sure it's great but Ubuntu works for me :)
ReplyDelete@Anonymous 2 above: I thought you couldn't even do that in Ubuntu either.
ReplyDeleteWhen you search for a new car, very often you buy it because of that nice green light that indicate the speed or for the IPod support on dashboard. Not for car’s performing engine or suspension.
ReplyDeleteSame with Mint.
A newbie…
iv always found that vlc plays anything i give it so it doesnt really bother me the fact that ubuntu has a codec issue...
ReplyDeleteI rather use ubuntu than mint, installing the stuff that comes automatically in mint but not in ubuntu, takes like 5 seconds, themes can be changed, the mint menu can be installed on ubuntu, so there is really no reason to use mint over ubuntu, the main reason I don't use mint is because the software manager needs you to authentica with password for every app you install, while ubuntu software centre keeps your elevated privileges for 15 mins or so (not sure)...
ReplyDeleteTrademark Policy: That's why I use Mint over Ubuntu. Did you guys ever read Ubuntu trademark policy? In short words, "Restricted use that requires a trademark licence" - Any commercial use. It means that if you are not using Ubuntu on your personal computer you need a licence agreement from Canonical for commercial use. Wait a minute, this is open source software! Yes, but not an open source brand, got it?
ReplyDeleteSorry, the link is important here: http://www.ubuntu.com/aboutus/trademarkpolicy
ReplyDeleteBTW - it's fubar, not foobar (F**ked Up Beyond All Recognition)
ReplyDeleteNot all people criticising the Israeli government on the Palestine matter are antisemetic nazi terrorists. In fact, very few of them are. Most are just critical towards a government policy, not the Jews as a people or a religion. Now stop being hysterical and try to enjoy an extremely easy to use, fully-functional and pure eye-candy Linux distribution.
ReplyDeleteJust use Windows XP. Its the King of OS's. Linux is just a novelty to show off to people who know nothing about computers. Wow I can rotate my desktop. Big deal.
ReplyDeleteLinux might have a chance if there was one decent distro instead of 100's of flavours that what 4 or 5% of people use. Use Fedora, no use Suse, no Ubuntu rocks, no Mint is much better. Give me a break. For ordinary computer users its too much hassle. We have other worries like Girlfriends, Cars, Beer and Soccer.
Honestly,I really can't say any version is of Linux is better than another.The thing that makes all the distro's like Mint and Ubuntu great is the fact that you can make them into whatever you want.You can theme these however you like,add the software you like and that's where Linux sets itself apart from the Microsoft and Mac world.Freedom to choose how you want your OS and look and operate.I chose Mint because I was a former windows user and wanted something to get me off the next Microsoft drug of choice.I wanted easy installation of software.I used Linux years ago and had a hard time with it.6 years or more later,I couldn't believe how much Linux had "grown up".My system looks nothing like my original installation.I've learned how to do things differently with a new OS and I'm trying others because I've learned how to use Linux properly,all because a very nice distro called Mint.Ubuntu and Mint are both excellent OS's so stop arguing about what's better.The answer really boils down to what one is right for you.Oh Mr.XP,I'll take my Mint any day over that slowa$$ XP.(Former windows user here you know).I got tired of waiting 10 minutes for XP to finish whatever it does when its booting.I like my instant boot up.:P
ReplyDeleteMint and ubuntu are pretty much the same thing. You can configure either of them to be the same as the other. It really comes down to your preference. I chose mint mostly because of its awesome menu. But its not like I couldnt install that on ubuntu itself.. I just tried it out and it was there and liked it so I kept it.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with the previous comment about. Word to you sir!
Mint is easier to use than Ubuntu I find. Much easier to configure settings. However both can be made to look the same. I have found Mint has crashed on me countless times while trying to suspend and often shutting down. No problem really. But all I want is a simple free OS to do simple things and both cannot stream a video of youtube without stalling, scratching and crackling. This may not happen to everyone but it drove me reluctantly back to XP. I'll settle for a slower bootup if I can listen to Beyonce in peace.
ReplyDeleteLinux destroyed my hard disk. I cannot access my windows files any more.
ReplyDeleteLinux sucks so much. :(((((((((((((((8
Linux Mint on a USB drive is very usefull though for instance if Windows won't boot. You can boot Mint off a USB and from there view your hard disk or view partitions with GParted or Burn a CD with Brasero or backup files to another USB. Here is its real advantage. I am never without Mint on a Usb and a Supergrub Disk. These will usually fix any problem I have with Windows without needing another Laptop to look things up. Hail Mint!
ReplyDeleteyes linuxmint needs ubuntu and ubuntu needs debian just as mint is just ubuntu with a few extra`s so is ubuntu just debian with a few extra`s same with any of the multitude of debian linux based distro`s but those few extra can mean alot for a newcomer to linux i use ubuntu as my main os but have no problem using mint and will eventually switch over to debian testing it`s all about letting as many new people through the door as we can which will benefit the entire community in the end ranting about a linux os is pointless when you can customize linux to anything you want
ReplyDeleteIf that's the best you can do then I have no regrets about picking Ubuntu...
ReplyDeleteIf you've never used Linux before, use Linux Mint.
ReplyDeleteIf you find Windows a breeze and haven't used Linux before, use Ubuntu or one of it's other flavours.
Debian if you wish to jump in the deep end which I wouldn't recommend.
Ubuntu meets it all halfway from my perspective, that's why I chose to start with it along with the bonus of enjoying the interface scheme more than Mint's. Once I grasp it fully, I'll try Debian, I like the idea of a fairly blank canvas to paint upon. Obviously there are many distros to choose from, these are just 3 common examples being posted above.
No need to argue which one's better as there's no need to impose what suits you best onto others.
About the political issues: I don't enjoy the main dev Clem of Mint posting political views telling me to support or leave regardless of the fact he may be right or wrong. Also, I don't enjoy the fact that Ubuntu Canonical has ties to Yahoo as they deal some corrupt individuals.
Final point, I think people should be given the option in Mint for them to opt-in or out of the Mint searches generating revenue. If the user enjoys their experience and by the sounds of it they will, and seeing as they are using it for free, not many would opt-out. Just the issue of not having that option to do so doesn't go down well with me.
Find a distro starting point that suits you and progress (:
I had been using Ubuntu for some years, until "Lucid Lynx" made me bite the bullet. Tired of getting weird bugs on GNOME panels, and tired of many times getting a blank unresponsive screen upon boot, all the way through with "Maverick Meerkat", I decided to call it a day. On top of that, there were the window titlebar buttons going to left and the announcement of Unity. Which made me not just call a day, but definitely give up on Ubuntu.
ReplyDeleteFrom that day on, I installed Fedora 14 and was surprised that, while not being so pretty, it has many improvements under the hood. Plymouth just worked better, now the printer can be switched from its network IP and Fedora will see it, there's JPEG turbo, and PulseAudio Equalizer doesn't crash when there are two users logged. I lived the RPM dependency hell back in 1999, however that is a different case now - yum is not faster than apt-get but it's much more cleaner, better written program.
I don't see a reason why use Linux Mint, because up to now, it has been Ubuntu and all its inherited bugs all along. When "Natty Narwhal" is released, and spite many Ubuntu followers away, I believe that Linux Mint, for the first time, will have the opportunity to be a distro on its own. Perhaps if they move to 'pacman' as package manager, and use ArchLinux repos, it will definitely be a mile away ahead Ubuntu. But it depends how they manage to get there, and manifesting against "Israel" was the huge first mistake the French-born developer did.
Help me out here, he is not even from *THAT* part of the world. French-born living in Ireland. If he had said that he joined IRA and financed a terrorist bombing, that would be reasonable. It's his context. But mourning for the palestinians makes him look like a fool. The palestinians just don't have a land because they want THAT land. Even if they were given the entire Amazon forest to live, they still would want that dry desert land, which, in my view, I cannot understand.
I believe he needs to make a real coherent statement on this issue, taking back the Israel hatred, before this kind of thing spreads and shakes his distribution on a negative way, because you know, people are passionate...
I personally don't care about Israel vs. Palestinians, specially when they are fighting over such desert place where trees struggle to grow. However they should think better since the Christian Bible already says with which part the land stays with. It's like punching a knife.
- The Mad Professor
Okay, I can see you guys would be argue over between Ubuntu and Mint.
ReplyDeleteI am generally personally favorite Mint.
Ubuntu annoyed me, because of Menu, and theme felt funny toy. i am serious.
Linux mint theme is a perfect and beautiful.
Just putting my two cents in
ReplyDeleteI prefer Ubuntu.
All the points in the article don't apply to me except for the media codecs. I like the menu a lot. I don't want anything to resemble windows lol. Update manager doesn't bother me since I normally update via terminal. Default software and theme are always good to me. Well except when they took out GIMP >_< but then again an easy install well as a simple install of Restricted Extras.
So to sum it up, what he says is :
ReplyDelete- Mint has mediacodecs and looks a little nicer, all the time staying close to the ubuntu release schedule
However, you can also look at it like this :
- Styling ubuntu nicely takes 15 minutes max, installing the codes another 5.
This means that you're sacrificing the difference in release schedule for 20 minutes of work... Seems very little to me.
@Findarato Try 20 extra minutes times tens or even hundreds of systems...
ReplyDeletePlus if you are on a slow internet connection downloading and installing all those codecs can take up to an hour per system. - Thats a lot of time over all.
I have used Ubuntu and sometimes I found it very bloated; I didn't like the default know menus too. I also tried Fedora, which was a nightmare to setup, because could not find all the hardware drivers and I personally prefer debian style packages.. So then I tried Mint and I haven't looked elsewhere since then, it is perfect for me. It is easy to use, works great out of the box, no issues with hardware drivers, no troubles installing my dev software (eclipse, java, android etc. etc.) It is perfect for development. I also watch movies on it and listen to music etc.. I also installed the PAE kernel, which gives me access to all of my 4GB ram on my 32 bit machine. Mint is just amazing... and I think I am going to stick with it for a long time...
ReplyDeleteI wish I could say I were surprised by the number of people proclaiming they won't use Mint because the developer is against Israeli apartheid, but that would be naive. For me, though, that's all the more reason to use it.
ReplyDeleteThe comment concerning Linux Mint being possibly more user friendly to a first time user may well be true but as someone coming from Mac OS Ubuntu has always seemed the more user friendly to me. I respect the previous comment concerning Mint and its developers support for the Palestinian cause and it fills me with guilt to prefer Ubuntu but I just do.
ReplyDeleteSuppose I should really be using Sabily Linux, I even installed it but for all its worthiness it just ain't sorted yet. One day, insh'Allah :)
I'm not an expert but, lets be honest, most of the people just want a computer to surf in internet and do basic stuffs (watch movies, hear music, etc), so how do you think that these people feels about take a new OS and start from zero. Really good job for MINT, because can be used by everyone, even the simple guy that only wants to know what was the score for the football game to the mum that is looking a recipe to prepare a nice meal.
ReplyDeleteIf you want to be a developer good, you can play with every distro that you want, but when you are a regular person, who cares; you just want something simple to do the job.
Good job for MINT, to make an OS for everyone.
Kisses to all of you
yep i agree..started with ubuntu, am sold on mint now...and to see the money work for a good cause even makes me feelin good :)
ReplyDeleteno, really, i would love to have an amigalike OS, i especially miss my ram disk, but aros still sucks..so no choice here and mint/ubuntu is the best i gound out there... so im content
I have used both Ubuntu and Mint and liked them both. However, I like Mint just a wee bit better. I think that it is fruitless to argue which is better. Pick the one you like better and leave it at that. That's the beauty of having choices. I am glad that both are around. People with lives don't waste their time arguing about free operating systems.
ReplyDeleteWell, I was a big fan of Ubuntu, until version 11.04, their change to Unity and away from Gnome. To me, the new GUI isn't user-friendly and I find it bothersome to look up simple programs. Then, Linux Mint Debian Edition came up and I was instantly sold. A rolling release, with a decent amount of software and the ability to se the sources to "Latest" to create a very stable experience it priceless.
ReplyDeleteAs far as political comments are concerned, I do not mix business and politics. If you keep it this way, people don't have a platform to stand on. To me, the end product of the OS matters, nothing else.
I have to say Mint is a great choice because it just works. Ubuntu is ok, but Mint just makes for a better experience. I made the switch after Ubuntu 10.10 and i'm hooked.
ReplyDeleteI switched from Ubuntu after getting fed up with clumsy new releases and their annoying compatibility problems, if it ain't ready don't release it just to stick to a schedule! Mint is smoother and more in line with my expectations of a desktop system. The compact system menu beats unity hands down, yet the system is highly customizable -graphics and workspace wise- nevertheless. All in all Mint seems to be more efficient and lighter on resources but I haven't run any actual controlled tests to be fair.
ReplyDeleteI had been using Ubuntu very happily for 4 years, before I use fedora. I have 4 machines at home, use them for work. First hit me version 11.04, it was some was tolerable. But, with 11.10, I have to change and stop using Ubuntu, and never again tell people to use Ubuntu. For me first come drivers and usability, stability, them pretty cool staff. Ubuntu seem to be not aware of the following it HAS. Mint.. who is behind mint? It is a democratic run distro, or I kind of one person show like Ubuntu?
ReplyDeleteI'm new to Linux and I've tried both Ubuntu 11 and Mint 12. Maybe because I don't expect much from my computer other than web browsing, listening to music or watching videos, I find Mint is suiting me best. It just works out of the box ;)
ReplyDeleteup till ubuntu version 11.xx I disagreed, but I can not get use to the new desktop, miss the setup of users and groups in the new ubuntu etc. Now it is time for a change, if the end will be mind, or opensuse I do not know yet.
ReplyDeleteAs somewhat of a new Linux user (i.e. one that DETESTS using CLI for anything whatsoever), I found that Mint is faster and far less bloated than Ubuntu.
ReplyDeleteMost of the time I default back to PCLinuxOS and play with Puppy Linux just for fun.
For me point and click to get things done is what I am after, as well as maximum hardware compatibility and extreme speed.. I hate typing - my hands kill me most of the time and typing, not to mention having to remember a ton of gobbledygook is not my cup of tea. If I have to do ANYTHING CLI I will go back to Windows.
Ubuntu just seems to be another bloated OS just like Windows.
Be it noted that this Israel discussion was loud enough (internet search engines) to get my attention and encouraged me to try Mint (again).
ReplyDeleteI am not surprised about the hubbub about Clem's comments about "israel", and the resultant poop-storm of comments and outcry. He has his right to express his opinions -- whether its appropriate or not for a Linux distro remains to be seen.
There is very few issues that generate the intense and emotional response as does the apartheid regime of Israel. One thing is clear: The corporate and neo-conservative elites that perpetuate the crimes by Israel against Palestinians should be talked about in any venue.
These *elite* voices, instead of the Palestinian and israeli people, are the ones marching us to world war in 2012. If it takes a Linux distro to get us talking about Israel, then more power to it.
Segue; Ubuntu has its limitations, just I am sure Linux Mint does also. The nice thing about OpenSource and the Linux community is you can customize any distro to your liking. Ubuntu and Mint stand out for sure as great beginner/intermediate OSes. Plus, any distro supporting a free, anonymous internet gets my attention.