Linux Mint

Linux Mint is one of the most popular Linux distributions worldwide and is considered as one of the most userfriendly alternatives to Windows. This desktop distribution, which is based on Ubuntu, connects a familiar operating concept with high stability, large software selection and a clear focus on suitability for everyday use.

Therefore, Linux Mint is a highly recommended distribution for starters.

History & background

Linux Mint was established by the developer Clement Lefebvre. The project started as small community project that should add additional Mulitmedia functions and userfriendly standards.

Motivation

Linux Mint should facilitate the switch to Linux. It provides a finished, trusted and suitable for everyday use system that can be used without expert knowledge.

Community

Through a dedicated community, as it is the case with Linux, the distribution grew steadily. Mint was mostly financed by donations, sponsoring and voluntary support.

Due to this open structure, Mint remains independent and can concentrate on the needs of its users.

General information

Linux Mint is a Ubuntu based Linux distribution, which was developed specifically for desktop use. It attaches great importance to user-friendliness, stability and a trustful operating concept.

Furthermore, there is also the Linux Mint Debian Edition, which sits up on a Debian kernel.

Target group

Linux Mint is suitable for newcomers or career changers of other poular operating systems, for example Windows or macOS.

Due to multiple desktop editions, a large software catalogue and practical system tools, Linux Mint offers enough flexibility for advanced Linux users.

Philosophy

The development of Linux Mint is based on the following philosophy:

• Immediate usability: It was important to the developers to create a distribution with Mint that could be used immediately without extensive reconfiguration.

• No terminal force: Mint should feel familiar to beginners. As with other distributions, it is not necessary to use the terminal with Linux Mint.

• Open-Source: Mint is, as all Linux distributions, open-source. It was developed free of charge, freely available, and developed and financed by the community..

• Stability: Linux Mint places great importance on reliable and error-free everyday use.

Mint attaches great importance to on proven software versions that were tested extensively instead of new functions or experimental technologies.

Characteristics

Linux Mint was specifically developed for the use as desktop operating system. All functions, menus, and applications are designed to make everyday tasks as easy and convenient as possible.

Complete multimedia-support

Compared to other Linux distributions or operating systems, Linux Mint helps with complete mulitmeda support directly after installation.

Audio and video codecs, that must be installed later on other systems, are included directly in the standard integration.

Desktop environments

Mint attaches great importance to different desktop representations, that are suitable for the user depening on the system. They are quite similar from the setup, so that every Mint user can work with other systems and that the switch is facilitated.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is the main edition of Linux Mint and was specifically created for the distribution. The desktop environment offers a modern, classic operating concept with start menu and panel, as it is known from other operating systems.

MATE

MATE is a desktop environment that reminds of the design from Cinnamon. However, it requires fewer resources and is therefore particularly suitable for older computers or users who prefer a classic user interface without visual gimmicks.

Xfce

The Xfce desktop environment also reminds of Cinnamon. Compared to MATE, Xfce requires less resources and is therefore better for slow and old devices with less performance.

Despite of the less resource consumption, Xfce is functional and flexible customizable.

Kernel-versions

In addition to the versions with Ubuntu kernel, there is also the LMDE version. This is based on a Debian kernel and is perfectly suitable for everybody that does not want to be dependent on Ubuntu. The look of the Debian version is very similar to that of the Ubuntu version, so that users of the LMDE version can also find their way around Ubuntu systems.

Version model

Linux Mint publishes its main versions shortly after Ubuntu-LTS-releases.

Since it is based on Ubuntu, it takes over its kernel and package base and develops the own system on it.

Smaller updates are released between the main versions that contain new functions, adjustments and updates software.

LTS-focus

Linux Mint relies almost exclusively on long-term support (LTS). This ensures that the system remains usable in the long term without the user having to upgrade frequently.

Codenames & name scheme

Every Mint version has a female first name that is sorted alphabetically.

This allows different versions to be distinguished without having to rely on version numbers.

Version overview

Linux Mint appears in main versions and interim versions. The Ubuntu-LTS-output contains multiple years of support.

A detailed overview about Mint versions can be found together with LMDE versions in the Wiki article Linux Mint version history.

Version	Codename	Base	Release year	Support until
21	Vanessa	Ubuntu 22.04 LTS	2022	2027
21.1	Vera	Ubuntu 22.04 LTS	2022/23	2027
21.2	Victoria	Ubuntu 22.04 LTS	2023	2027
21.3	Virgina	Ubuntu 22.04 LTS	2024	2027
22	Wilma	Ubuntu 22.04 LTS	2024	2029
22.1	Xia	Ubuntu 22.04 LTS	2025	2029
22.2	Zara	Ubuntu 22.04 LTS	2025	2029
22.3	Zena	Ubuntu 22.04 LTS	2026	2029

Community & Support

Linux Mint has a large and engaged user community. The community contributes a lot to the project, as it is common with similar Linux distributions.

Thanks to this contribution, Mint continues to evolve and stays close to the needs of users.

Official support

Mint offers several official channels where you can get support or information.

• Official website
• Release Notes and technical documentations
• Mint-Blog

Community-forum & Communication

In addition to the official pages, there are several community projects where users can exchange ideas.

• Forum
• different Community Wikis
• Subreddits such as r/linuxmint

References

Translator: Alina Ranzinger Alina has been working at Thomas-Krenn.AG since 2024. After her training as multilingual business assistant, she got her job as assistant of the Product Management and is responsible for the translation of texts and for the organisation of the department.