Linux Mint

Linux Mint is a Linux distribution for desktop computers based on and compatible with Debian and Ubuntu.

While at the core Linux Mint is mostly based on Ubuntu, the design of the desktop and user interface are very different. These differences include a unique desktop theme and desktop environment, a custom Linux Mint menu and the MintTools, a collection of system tools designed to make managing the computer easier for users.

 Releases 
Originally, Linux Mint did not follow a predictable release cycle. The project first defined the goals for the next release, and when all the goals are achieved, a beta version is released and a date is announced for the stable release. Recently, however, it has been decided that Linux Mint will release with the 6-month Ubuntu release cycle.

 Version  Code name  Release dateSupport status1.0 beta Ada  2006-08-27  Obsolete since April 2008. Linux Mint Web site, download page linking to all Linux Mint versions, page updated as new versions are released Unstable.2.0 Barbara  2006-11-13  Obsolete since April 2008.2.1 Bea  2006-12-20  Obsolete since April 2008.2.2 Bianca  2007-02-20  Obsolete since April 2008.3.0 Cassandra  2007-05-30  Obsolete since October 2008.3.1 Celena  2007-09-24  Obsolete since October 2008.4.0 Daryna  2007-10-15  Obsolete since April 2009.5 LTS Elyssa  2008-06-08  Long-term support release (LTS), obsolete since April 2011.6 Felicia  2008-12-15  Obsolete since April 2010.7 Gloria  2009-05-26  Obsolete since October 2010.8 Helena  2009-11-29  Obsolete since April 2011.9 LTS Isadora  2010-05-18  Long-term support release (LTS), obsolete since April 2013.10 Julia  2010-11-12  Obsolete since April 2012.11 Katya  2011-05-26  Obsolete since October 2012.12 Lisa  2011-11-26  Obsolete since April 2013.13 LTS Maya  2012-05-23  Long-term support release (LTS), obsolete since April 2017.14 Nadia  2012-11-20  Obsolete since May 2014.15 Olivia  2013-05-29  Obsolete since January 2014.16 Petra  2013-11-30  Obsolete since July 2014.17 LTS Qiana  2014-05-31
v2 "respin" 2014-06-29 Long-term support release (LTS), obsolete since April 2019.17.1 LTS Rebecca  2014-11-29  First of 17.x series of releases, Long-term support release (LTS), obsolete since April 2019.17.2 LTS Rafaela  end of May 2015   Second of 17.x series of releases, Long-term support release (LTS), obsolete since April 2019.17.3 LTS Rosa  2015-12-04   Third of 17.x series of releases, Long-term support release (LTS), obsolete since April 2019.18 LTS Sarah  2016-06-30   Long-term support release (LTS), obsolete since April 2021.19 LTSTara2018-06-29Long-term support release (LTS), obsolete since April 2023.19.1 LTSTessa2018-12-1919.2 LTSTina2019-08-0219.3 LTSTricia2019-12-1820 LTSUlyana2020-06-27Long-term support release (LTS), supported until 2025.20.1Ulyssa2021-01-0820.2Uma2021-07-0820.3Una2022-01-0721 LTSVanessa2022-07-31Long-term support release (LTS), supported until 2027.21.1 LTSVera2022-12-2021.2 LTSVictoria2023-07-1621.3 LTSVirginia2024-01-1222 LTSWilma2024-07-25Long-term support release (LTS), supported until 2029.22.1 LTSXia2025-01-1622.2 
LTSZara2025-09-04
 Comparison with Ubuntu 
Linux Mint is based on Ubuntu, and because of this, both distributions have a lot in common. Both distributions use the same software repositories. 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. Ubuntu is based on Debian, so Linux Mint is also compatible with and has similar functionality to Debian.

Most differences are on the desktop. Ubuntu and Linux Mint both focus on usability, but Linux Mint offers a different user experience, and it includes a number of applications that are not available in Ubuntu (see aforementioned Mint Tools).

Many popular multimedia codecs are installed by default in Linux Mint. Ubuntu, and many other gratis GNU/Linux distributions, do not distribute these codecs with the initial install media due to patent issues.

Ubuntu has a vastly larger support community than Linux Mint. However, the majority of Ubuntu help and advice is also applicable to Linux Mint. Ubuntu supports more languages from the Live CD, and comes with better localization.

 Linux Mint Debian Edition (LMDE) 
Linux Mint Debian Edition, also known as LMDE, is a version of Linux Mint that is based on Debian. The reason it is developed is to make sure Linux Mint gives the same experience if Ubuntu disappears. It also helps test software made by Mint's developers to make sure they are compatible outside of Ubuntu.

LMDE is designed to look and have the same experience as the normal versions of Linux Mint, without Ubuntu, with packages being provided by Debian instead.

Related pages
 Linux
 Debian
 Ubuntu
 Getdeb
 Super OS (formerly: Super Ubuntu)

 References 

 Other websites 
 Official Linux Mint Web Site
 Official Linux Mint Wiki 
 Official Linux Mint Blog 
 Official Linux Mint Forum 
 Linux Mint on Distrowatch

Category:Ubuntu (operating system) derivatives