Linux Mint vs Ubuntu

Introduction to Linux Mint

Linux Mint is a distro of community-driven Linux, which is Ubuntu-based, grouped with a range of open-source and free software. It supports full multimedia out-of-the-box for those who select to add proprietary software, like multimedia codecs. This project was done by Clement Lefebvre, and it is actively managed by the Linux Mint community and team.

History of Linux Mint

Linux Mint started in 2006 along with the 1.0 beta release, Kubuntu-based, 'Ada' (code-name). The 2.0 'Barbara' version of Linux Mint was the initial release to utilize Ubuntu as a codebase. It included some users until the publication of the 3.0 'Cassandra' version of Linux Mint.

The 2.0 version of Linux Mint was Ubuntu 6.10 version-based, using the package repositories of Ubuntu and using it as a codebase. Then, it followed its codebase, creating all releases from the older one but maintaining to use of the latest Ubuntu version package repositories. It made the bases of the two systems almost identical, ensuring full unity between them instead of needing Mint to be any fork.

• Linux Mint accepted a similar release cycle in 2008 as Ubuntu and abandoned its minor release number before publishing the 5 'Elyssa'
• In a similar year, Linux Mint determined to drop its codebase and modified the way it creates its releases to increase unity between the two systems.
• Starting with the 6 'Felicia' version of Linux Mint, all releases were completely based on the latest Ubuntu version, built from it directly, and available one month approximately after the associated Ubuntu release.
• Linux published LMDE (Linux Mint Debian Edition) in 2010.
• Originally, LMDE was a rolling release directly based on Debian and not bound to Ubuntu packages and its release cycle, unlike several Ubuntu-based releases (Ubuntu Mint).
• It was introduced on 27 May 2015 that the team of Linux Mint would no longer provide support for the actual rolling release LMDE version after 1 January 2016.
• The LMDE 2 'Betsy' version was an LTS version, which was Debian Jessie-based.
• It was introduced that every user of LMDE would be upgraded to new releases of MintTools software and new DEs before these were published into the primary release of Linux Mint when LMDE 2 was published.

The website of Linux Mint was offended by some unknown hackers who substituted download links briefly for a Linux Mint version with a changed release containing malware on 20 February 2016. Also, the hackers offended the database of the user forum of the website. Linux Mint took the server offline immediately and implemented advanced security configuration for their forum and website.

Releases of Linux Mint

All versions of Linux Mint are provided a code-named and version number with a feminine initial name completing with 'a' and starting with an alphabet letter that increased with all major revisions. The 18 version broke the pattern with the 'Sarah' name; hence, it retains a similar vowel sound in English as every other release.

There were initially two releases of Linux Mint per year. Each fourth version was labeled an LTS version, representing that it's supported for longer as compared to traditional releases following the Linux Mint 5 release in 2008. The 9 and 5 versions had three support years, and every LTS version got five support years.

• On 31 May 2014, the team of Linux Mint accepted a new release plan with the Linux Mint 17 release. Starting with the Mint 17 release, every future version was planned to utilize a Ubuntu LTS version until 2016 as a base. Under this plan, the 17.1 version of Linux Mint was published on 29 November 2014; the 17.2 version was published on 30 June 2015, and the 17.3 version was published on 4 December 2015.
• The 17.x versions are intended to be an optional and easy upgrade. Every three versions added upgrades to the MATE and Cinnamon Desktop Environments and several Mint tools. Additionally, the 17.2 and 17.3 versions of Mint added an upgrade for the LibreOffice suite. The series, i.e., 18.x, follows a pattern fixed by the series, i.e., 17.x, by using the 16.04 LTS version of Ubuntu as a base.
• Mint doesn't communicate exact release dates because new editions are released 'when ready'. It means that they can be published early after the distro is forward of schedule or later after critical errors are found. On the blog of Linux Mint, new releases are introduced along with much more material.
• On 3 January 2018, the team of Linux Mint published news of the 19 'Tara' Linux Mint version. The team said that the releases of 19.x would utilize GTK 3.22 and be Ubuntu 18.04 LTS-based, along with support given until 2023. The 19 'Tara' Cinnamon Linux Mint version was published on 29 June 2018. Then, Linux Mint 19.3 'Tricia' was published on 24 December 2019, with many security updates until 2023.
• The 20 'Ulyana' Linux Mint version was published on 27 June 2020. This LTS version supports until 2025. The 20.1 'Ulyssa' Linux Mint version was published on 8 January 2021. The 20.2 'Uma' Linux Mint version was published on 8 July 2021. The 20.3 'Una' Linux Mint version was published on 5 January 2022.
• There had been two releases of Linux Mint per year up to 2014, about a single month after the releases of Ubuntu they're based on. All releases were provided a new code name and a version number, with a female initial name beginning with the alphabet whose index associates with the version number and completing with the alphabet "a". Also, there is an OEM edition to make the installation process easier for hardware manufacturers.
• Approximately, releases were careful to be one month after the releases of Ubuntu. All Linux Mint releases consequently came with an upgraded version of X and GNOME and offered a few of the developments brought in the recent Ubuntu release. For most releases, support was canceled two months after the upcoming release, but each fourth release has been termed as an LTS version since the min-2008 version 5, representing that it's supported for more time, three years for v9 and v5, and five years consequently.
• The 17 "Qiana" LTS Linux Mint version was published on 31 May 2014, remaining recent until the completion of November 2014 and supported prior to April 2019. The successor to the 17 Qiana version was introduced to be 17.1 Rebecca in mid-2014; the development team stated that Linux Mint was formerly tied to the schedule of Ubuntu from a technical viewpoint so that it could be published anytime.
• However, the six-month cycle gave rhythm to a late target of November 2014. The 17 LTS Linux Mint version would be the first version of the 17.x series and applications will be backported to 17.x for two years, with security upgrades until 2019.
• The 21.1 "Vera" Linux Mint version is the latest release, published on 20 December 2022. Support will be provided until 2027 as an LTS version.
  The Debian Edition of Linux Mint is not suitable for Ubuntu, is Debian-based, and updates are continuously brought in between leading versions.

Development of Linux Mint

Individual companies and users using the OS act as partners, sponsors, and donors of the distro. Linux Mint depends on user feedback to take decisions and adapt its development. Often, the official blog offers discussions in which users are prompted to voice their ideas about the recent decisions or features implemented for the next releases. Ideas can be recommended and commented upon, and graded by users with the Community Website of Linux Mint.

The Linux Mint community users use Launchpad for participating in the operating system translation and in reporting errors.

Maximum development is implemented in Python and managed online with GitHub to make it easier for developers to offer patches, implement extra features, and fork the sub-projects of Linux Mint as well. Several features are included developed via the community with all releases. In Linux Mint 9, e.g., the ability to alter menu items is an aspect that was shared by a user of Linux Mint.

Ubuntu Introduction

Ubuntu is a famous open-source and free Linux-based OS that we can utilize on a virtual private server or computer. In 2004, it was announced by Canonical (a British company). Ubuntu is a Debian-based operating system, which is a famous distribution that was hard to install back then. As an outcome, Ubuntu was introduced as a more convenient alternative.

As the Ubuntu manager, Canonical is liable to release a new version of Ubuntu each six months. For Ubuntu Community, Canonical gives hosting servers as well, permitting people to share their opinion to test software bugs, provide free technical support, and answer questions worldwide. Ubuntu is developed for network servers, smartphones, and computers. Every principle used for developing Ubuntu is based on the Open-Source software development principles.

Ubuntu Features

Some important Ubuntu features are as mentioned as follows:

• The desktop edition of the Ubuntu software supports every basic software in Windows, including VLC, Chrome, Firefox, etc.
• The office suite known as LibreOffice is supported by Ubuntu.
• Ubuntu includes a built-in email application known as Thunderbird, where users can get access to email, including Hotmail, Gmail, Exchange, etc.
• A host of open-source applications is available to view and alter photos.
• Also, several applications are available to maintain videos, and it permits the users to video sharing as well.
• It's easy to view content with a smart search feature on Ubuntu.
• The best aspect is that Ubuntu is a free OS, and it is backed via a large open-source community.

Flavors of Ubuntu

Ubuntu provides a range of flavors. We will briefly explain some most famous Ubuntu flavors:

• Ubuntu Desktop

It is an operating system used by formal users. It is pre-built with applications that aid the users in implementing usual common activities. Also, several operations, including multimedia, email, and browsing, are available in the Desktop edition.

• Ubuntu Server

This edition is used to host applications like databases and web servers. All server versions have been supported via Ubuntu for five years. Ubuntu server supports cloud platforms like Azure and AWS.

• Kubuntu

The common interface of Ubuntu is based on Unity. But Kubuntu is KDE Plasma desktop based. It provides a different feel and look to Ubuntu. Kubuntu includes the same software availability and aspects as Ubuntu.

• Linux Mint

It is also an Ubuntu-based operating system. Linux Mint comes pre-installed with several applications for the current user in the multimedia and photos space. This OS is fully open-source and community-based.

Device Drivers of Ubuntu

• Ubuntu, by default, comes with pre-installed drivers for the video, audio, keyboard, and mouse drivers.
• We can go to settings on the left control panel to see the device options.
• Inside the hardware section, we will find several options for hardware devices, like the mouse, keyboard, display monitor, etc.
• For instance, we can modify the screen resolution with many display settings using the Display option.
• We can visit the website of a related driver and download the essential distro for a specific device driver to install an extra driver. Then, we can utilize the Software Center to get the necessary device driver.

Software Center of Ubuntu

Ubuntu contains a software center with which we can get application hosts. This Software Center is developed for searching the Internet for available applications which we can download and install.

How to install software with Software Center?

Step 1: The Software Center occurs on the left side of the screen within the control panel. It is enclosed in a red box. We need to double-click on it to open it.

It displays the below options once opened:

• View every available software.
• Every software is installed on the device currently.
• Available software updates are installed on the device currently.

Step 2: Also, we can browse from several software categories. For instance, let's select the Audio category. We can find the available software list for installation.

How to delete software with Software Center?

To check the already installed software list on the device, we need to visit the Installed field of the Software Center. It shows an option to delete the unwanted application if necessary.

We need to press the Remove option related to the software to delete unwanted software.

Updates

Inside the updates field, we can get important updates for Ubuntu. Also, this field represents the updates for the already installed software on our system.

We just need to press the Install option next to the update that requires to be installed.

Disadvantages of Ubuntu

Before installing the operating system, business and individual users must consider some drawbacks of Ubuntu:

• The first drawback of using Ubuntu is that if we install it onto any physical device, we may have complications identifying some of our hardware. A few hardware vendors don't provide the device drivers of Linux. Probably, we would not have any problem with hardware compatibility so as long as we are running the operating system on mainstream hardware. However, we can face some issues if we have anything different. We may find that we need to utilize a more mainstream OS, like Windows.
• There is another drawback that not every software includes a Linux version. It means Ubuntu probably doesn't compatible with every application we need to execute. Several applications execute only on MacOS or Windows, while it's becoming more common for many software vendors to make Linux editions for their products.

Linux Mint vs Ubuntu: There are many differences between linux mint and ubuntu. A list of differences between linux mint and ubuntu are given below:

Some other differences are listed and explained below:

• Philosophy and Ethics

The original philosophy of Ubuntu was to establish an easy-to-use desktop of Linux with liable new editions every six months. It believes that all computer users must have the freedom to improve, share, study, distribute, copy, run, and download their applications without worrying about licensing fees, they should be able to utilize their applications in any language they select, and they should also be able to utilize every application despite the disability.

Linux Mint has the same philosophy, but it prioritizes ease of use and elegance. So, it's also based on the acceptance that software shouldn't be boycotted with proprietary licenses. It's community-driven and open-source and accepts a system that requires little maintenance.

• Origins

The Linux Debian distribution was published in 1993. It concentrated on stability and security. Ubuntu was published in 2004 as a fork of Debian. First, Linux Mint was published in 2006. However, this first release never had a durable release. The "Barbara"0 version got more attention, and utilizing feedback through the community, various other versions were published between 2008 and 2006. New releases are available for both Linux Mint and Ubuntu every six months.

• Compatibility

Now, every release of Linux Mint is entirely based on the recent release of Ubuntu, ensuring full compatibility among both. Every Ubuntu-compatible system is mentioned on Ubuntu.com. Also, Linux Mint provides a variation known as LMDE that ensures full compatibility with Debian rather than Ubuntu. Debian and Ubuntu packages are compatible, but they aren't sometimes and need re-compilation with the source.

• Pre-installed Software

Both Ubuntu and Mint are mostly open-source and free software. Mint is pre-installed with proprietary software that almost every user tends to require, like audio/video, Java, and Flash codecs, to pay for proprietary formats, such as WMV files. The latest Ubuntu releases have taken a leaf through the Mint book, and Ubuntu now permits their users to get them with a single click at the time of the installation process. At the same time, Ubuntu distros don't pre-install these types of software.

Both Ubuntu and Mint are installed using LibreOffice (a productivity app suite, such as a spreadsheet and word processor), Transmission (a BitTorrent Client), and Thunderbird (an email client). Also, Mint can be installed with GIMP, VLC, and Pidgin. Also, Ubuntu has many common games, including chess and Sudoku.

• Speed and Performance

Linux Mint is faster and lighter than Ubuntu. However, Ubuntu has developed its speed since the 12.04 version. Arguably, Mint is a better alternative than Ubuntu for underpowered and older hardware.

• Interface Differences

The basic difference that users would see between Ubuntu and Mint is the desktop environment and user interface. Mint users can select between Cinnamon and MATE for desktop environments. The Cinnamon menu is the same as the typical application menu, providing an overview of every installed application, recent files, and places.

The default desktop of Ubuntu is Unity, available in 3D and 2D. It utilizes a basic interface that is based on GNOME. It permits users to select web applications on the desktop to the Launcher and manage an online search inside the dash. Also, Ubuntu supports many interfaces apart from Unity, including classic GNOME, Xfce, and KDE.

Linux Mint vs Ubuntu

Ubuntu and Linux mint both are the Linux distribution on personal computers. Linux is an open source operating system based on Unix. It is freely distributable, cross platform and can be installed on PCs, Laptops, Mobile, Tablet etc.

Although both are Linux distribution, but Ubuntu is more popular than Linux Mint. Mint is based on Ubuntu but it is elegant and user-friendly. It is more open to pre installed proprietary software. On the other hand Ubuntu offers more advanced installation options like easy install for dual booting on window PCs.

Linux Mint got the popularity in 2012 and won several awards for most popular distribution.

Similarity between Linux Mint and Ubuntu