Linux Mint
Ubuntu/Debian-based Linux distribution From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Linux Mint is a Linux distribution for desktop computers based on and compatible with Debian and Ubuntu.
 | |
Linux Mint 21.3 ("Virginia") running MATE 1.26 | |
| Developer | Clement Lefebvre, Jamie Boo Birse, Kendall Weaver, and community[1] |
|---|---|
| OS family | Unix-like, based on Ubuntu, optionally based on Debian (LMDE) Linux Mint Xfce Linux Mint KDE |
| Working state | Active |
| Source model | Open source |
| Initial release | 27 August 2006 |
| Latest release | Linux Mint 22.1 ("Xia") / January 16, 2025 |
| Available in | Multilingual[2] |
| Update method | APT (+ mintUpdate, Synaptic) |
| Package manager | dpkg |
| Platforms | i486, x86-64 |
| Kernel type | Monolithic (Linux) |
| Default user interface | 1.0-8: KDE 9: GNOME 2 12: GNOME 3 with MGSE 13-18: Cinnamon/MATE/Xfce/KDE 19-22 Cinnamon/MATE/Xfce |
| License | Mainly GPL and other free software licenses, minor additions of proprietary |
| Official website | www |
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, 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,[source?] and when all the goals are achieved a beta version is released and a date is announced for the stable release. Recently however,[when?] it has been decided that Linux Mint will release with the 6 month Ubuntu release cycle.
| Version | Code name | Release date | Support status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 beta | Ada | 2006-08-27 | Obsolete since April 2008.[3] Unstable. |
| 2.0 | Barbara | 2006-11-13 | Obsolete since April 2008.[3] |
| 2.1 | Bea | 2006-12-20 | Obsolete since April 2008.[3] |
| 2.2 | Bianca | 2007-02-20 | Obsolete since April 2008.[3] |
| 3.0 | Cassandra | 2007-05-30 | Obsolete since October 2008.[3] |
| 3.1 | Celena | 2007-09-24[4] | Obsolete since October 2008.[3] |
| 4.0 | Daryna | 2007-10-15 | Obsolete since April 2009.[3] |
| 5 LTS | Elyssa | 2008-06-08 | Long-term support release (LTS), obsolete since April 2011.[3] |
| 6 | Felicia | 2008-12-15 | Obsolete since April 2010.[3] |
| 7 | Gloria | 2009-05-26 | Obsolete since October 2010.[3] |
| 8 | Helena | 2009-11-29 | Obsolete since April 2011.[3] |
| 9 LTS | Isadora | 2010-05-18[5] | Long-term support release (LTS), obsolete since April 2013.[3] |
| 10 | Julia | 2010-11-12[6] | Obsolete since April 2012.[3] |
| 11 | Katya | 2011-05-26[7] | Obsolete since October 2012.[3] |
| 12 | Lisa | 2011-11-26[8] | Obsolete since April 2013.[3] |
| 13 LTS | Maya | 2012-05-23[9] | Long-term support release (LTS), obsolete since April 2017.[3] |
| 14 | Nadia | 2012-11-20[10] | Obsolete since May 2014.[3] |
| 15 | Olivia | 2013-05-29[11] | Obsolete since January 2014.[3] |
| 16 | Petra | 2013-11-30[12] | Obsolete since July 2014.[3] |
| 17 LTS | Qiana | 2014-05-31[13]
v2 "respin" 2014-06-29 |
Long-term support release (LTS), obsolete since April 2019. |
| 17.1 LTS | Rebecca | 2014-11-29[14] | First of 17.x series of releases, Long-term support release (LTS), obsolete since April 2019. |
| 17.2 LTS | Rafaela | end of May 2015 [15] | Second of 17.x series of releases, Long-term support release (LTS), obsolete since April 2019. |
| 17.3 LTS | Rosa | 2015-12-04 [16] | Third of 17.x series of releases, Long-term support release (LTS), obsolete since April 2019. |
| 18 LTS | Sarah | 2016-06-30 [17] | Long-term support release (LTS), obsolete since April 2021. |
| 19 LTS | Tara | 2018-06-29[18] | Long-term support release (LTS), obsolete since April 2023. |
| 19.1 LTS | Tessa | 2018-12-19[19] | |
| 19.2 LTS | Tina | 2019-08-02[20] | |
| 19.3 LTS | Tricia | 2019-12-18[21] | |
| 20 LTS | Ulyana | 2020-06-27[22] | Long-term support release (LTS), supported until 2025. |
| 20.1 | Ulyssa | 2021-01-08[23] | |
| 20.2 | Uma | 2021-07-08[24] | |
| 20.3 | Una | 2022-01-07[25] | |
| 21 LTS | Vanessa | 2022-07-31[26] | Long-term support release (LTS), supported until 2027. |
| 21.1 LTS | Vera | 2022-12-20[27] | |
| 21.2 LTS | Victoria | 2023-07-16[28] | |
| 21.3 LTS | Virginia | 2024-01-12[29] | |
| 22 LTS | Wilma | 2024-07-25[30] | Long-term support release (LTS), supported until 2029. |
| 22.1 LTS | Xia | 2025-01-16[31] |
Comparison with Ubuntu
Linux Mint is based on Ubuntu and 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.
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 encumberment 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.[source?]
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.[32]
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.[32]
Related pages
References
Other websites
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