In the past year, Linux Mint has overtaken Ubuntu as the most popular open source OS on DistroWatch — that might be because the latter has taken a new angle on the user interface and begun targeting mobile platforms. Now version 12 "Lisa" is available, bringing a new desktop based on Gnome 3 with some Mint-specific improvements and an open source-friendly default search engine called DuckDuckGo. Linux Mint is built on Ubuntu, so it has many of its parent's advantages while smoothing over some shortcomings and piling on a healthy serving of multimedia codecs. The extras make it a somewhat larger install, but you get to use a desktop interface that isn't trying to start a revolution.
Linux Mint 12 now available, lacks Ubuntu's UI experiments
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I think Linux Mint’s biggest asset…. the reason it is suddenly so popular… is that it’s MINT.
People like Mint.
You go torrenting for a nice distro to download and hey, this one is Mint. Refreshing and tasty.
I have to confess that was the reason it was the first Linux distro I downloaded in several years.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 8:48 PM EST reply Recommend (6) Flag actions
it’s logo isn’t mint though.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 9:04 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
xfce > gnome
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 8:53 PM EST reply Recommend (3) Flag actions
I thought this was still Gnome, albeit a revised version.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 10:16 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
it is gnome.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 10:28 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Exactly why XFCE is better than this UI. XFCE is light and super fast!
Xubuntu is amazing.
Posted on Nov 30, 2011 | 1:12 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
There is a XFCE version of Mint too, so go on and enjoy!
Posted on Nov 30, 2011 | 4:22 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Holla @ u l8r Ubuntu. Take your horrible UIs wit ya.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 8:54 PM EST via mobile reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
I wouldn’t exactly say that Gnome 3 “isn’t trying to start a revolution,” but the way it’s used in Mint makes it more desktop-like than a bone-stock Gnome 3 install.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 8:59 PM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions
Still not sure why Google doesn’t come out their branded version of a Linux distribution, instead of screwing around with the Chrome OS. Or just advance Android to the point to where it can be installed on anything, and offer comparable performance to Windows…
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 9:03 PM EST reply Recommend (3) Flag actions
I love the idea of Google coming out with a linux distro. What would it be called? I don’t see very many people adopting Chrome OS.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 9:41 PM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions
Google has a branded version of linux, well, probably not branded, but for internal Google use only. It’s called Goobuntu, it’s based off of Ubuntu, it’s said that there aren’t many differences between Ubuntu and itself, and apparently about half of Google uses it.
This has been confirmed by both Shuttleworth and Google employees. Shuttleworth even says Google submits a good deal of patches to Ubuntu.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 10:26 PM EST reply Recommend (3) Flag actions
dkuntz2 : that is really interesting. I have never heard that before. Do you think that it has Google’s ecosystem built in?
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 10:46 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
That would mean Google wouldn’t have an excuse to artificially tie people to the “cloud”. Thus pwning your personal information and then selling it to other companies. That’s how Google makes money.
Posted on Nov 30, 2011 | 5:30 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
I agree. IMHO Google should create a full PC port of Android and integrate the better features of Chrome OS into it. I for one would love to have an android desktop with deep native integration to google services, which seamlessly synced with my Android phone and Android tablet and took advantage of the same Android market.
Heck if Google added it’s muscle to the development of Libre Office; synced it to Google Docs; and added it for free in the Android Market (then gave everything away for free or for a minimal cost the way they do now, the would definitely throw a wrench into Microsoft’s workings.
As for Mint, I like Mint but think that Mint 12 adds an unnecessary layer of complexity. It is definitely not well integrated into the Gnome 3 desktop and it is not very good looking (in a very un-mint fashion). I for one would prefer to run Mint Debian Xfce, activate the mint menu, and run Docky or my launcher of choice with it.
Posted on Nov 30, 2011 | 10:48 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Very much in love with mint, it is doing exactly what attracted me to Ubuntu along time ago, making a USEABLE linux distro :)
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 9:05 PM EST reply Recommend (3) Flag actions
Can someone explain the differences between Mint, Mint Debian, Debian, and Ubuntu? I used to run Ubuntu, but I’m looking for alternatives now (for learning, more than anything).
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 9:16 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
Debian does all the heavy lifting with an ox is slow, earth is patient approach and crafts a great, sturdy foundation. Ubuntu builds upon Debian with more (until possibly, now) user-friendly packaging. Somewhat ironically Mint builds upon Ubuntu, though I think they are becoming far more independent.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 9:39 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Yes, since they’re not very happy the way Ubuntu is evolving, Mint is experimenting wrangling Debian packages themselves rather than wait for a stable-ish release of Ubuntu from which they have to strip Unity
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 10:04 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
You won’t get much more learning out of Mint then you did with Ubuntu. Sure, I might like it better, but if you want to learn linux, download another distro. Check out Distrowatch and check the top 30. I suggest Crunchbang if you want to stay with debian packages.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 10:38 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
note: Crunchbang does not use Gnome, or Unity that you might be used to from Ubuntu, it uses Openbox.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 10:40 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
I don’t hate Ubuntu with Gnome 3 and I don’t have the time to try another Linux.
Since Mint is based on Ubuntu, is there any way to upgrade from Ubuntu to Mint?
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 9:16 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
nope, it would be easier to partition your hard drive, install Mint, transfer data, and then delete the Ubuntu partition. Or back up your data and do a clean install.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 9:38 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Unity in 11.10 uses Gnome 3, do you mean Gnome-Shell?
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 10:27 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
I am sure he is not referring to the package, but the shell.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 10:33 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Also, as per your question on upgrading, most of Mint’s packages are available for Ubuntu, basically, if you’ve got Gnome-Shell installed, you just need to grab the Mint UI components (and other default applications if you prefer).
http://www.webupd8.org/2011/11/try-new-mint-gnome-shell-extensions.html
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 10:29 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Yes. If you go in to install Mint, from a DVD it will ask you just before the partition menu if you would like to upgrade Ubuntu to Mint. I am not sure, but I doubt there is a command line upgrade
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 10:31 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Yes, you just need to change the add the corresponding repositories. Linux Mint, for all intents and purposes, is like Kubuntu or Xubuntu.
Posted on Nov 30, 2011 | 2:35 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
I fine with my regular Windows 7, thank you very much… I don’t appreciate everyone here at The Verge trying to cram Linux down our throats.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 9:54 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
POISON
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 9:57 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Two-percent market penetration; a veritable tidal wave of cramming. Honestly, technophiles that are Apple users lap the field about three times over.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 10:02 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Wrong Reply link (sigh).
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 10:02 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Merely mentioning and discussing Linux is cramming it down your throat?
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 10:17 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
No one’s pushing it. You can do whatever you want.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 10:18 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
In fact, Linux is rarely mentioned. There is a slew of new distros out in the last 2 weeks, and Mint is the only one to get mentioned. The Verge is doing things just fine.
btw, sorry about your Windows addiction.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 10:34 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
The Verge readers are supposed to be technophiles. Plenty of us are interested in linux news. If you’re not, you don’t have to read it. No-one’s cramming anything down anywhere.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 10:40 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
how is one post cramming it down our throats?
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 11:59 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
So Do I! I love Windows 7, and no matter what linux affectionados say, there are just somethings better done in Windows.
That’s why I have a dual boot setup of Windows 7 and Linux Mint 12. No one is saying you must give up windows for linux!
Setting up a dual boot is super easy, and with EasyBCD1, you can even ensure the boot level control is on the windows side! So you could just format that linux drive if get sick of it, and go on your merry business.
But if you don’t want to install, you can still enjoy linux to it’s fullest by making a Live USB with persistence. No tinkering with your system, just get a 1GB flashdrive, download the ISO, use a little utility2 to put it on the USB and reboot. Voila Instant Linux.
So don’t worry, you can have your cake and eat it too!
1: EasyBCD download Link
You DON’T have to fill the name and email, just click download
2: I recommend either Pendrive Linux or Linux Live Usb Creator
Posted on Nov 30, 2011 | 4:35 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
then dont read a linux related post, retard. and what about this was cramming it down your throat? click the back button and move along…
Posted on Nov 30, 2011 | 10:18 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
ive tried quite a few linux distros for months at a time with no windows install to fall back on, the thing that brings me back to windows every time in the long run is when you need something very specific to work and suddenly a non-programmer average-tech-level user like me has to figure out how to compile my own drivers or find some command to put in the console that ive never used before. Or you try to do one of these things and oops your install is BROKEN. reminds me of the windows 98 days when my mom somehow put the winows folder in the recycle bin. lawlz…
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 10:42 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
shrug I was given a slightly old laptop. A crappy Acer and I put Ubuntu on it.
No hassles with licences. No guilt of doing anything naughty.
And with no trouble at all I’ve got a simple web browsing, movie watching, java programming, photo editing machine that starts up quite quickly.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 10:58 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
yea i knows. sky’s the limit if youve got the knowledge. some linux fans make the argument that things arent harder on linux, they are just done differently. but its only true if you have all the required knowlege already. simply enough the learning curve is easier in a full gui than it is in a console. abbreviations. tags. etc. even the most user friendly linux distro will stump an average person eventually. im not even talking about middle age peoples version of average. blah blah blah im ranting.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 11:08 PM EST reply Recommend (3) Flag actions
As a pretty moderate Linux user, the problem with Linux is that when something doesn’t work, fixing it is a PITA. You do need to muddle around with a multitude of command line commands to fix stuff when it is broken. If everything is working fine, Linux can be a pleasure to use.
This is not an issue for me, but has to be frustrating for a novice user.
Posted on Nov 30, 2011 | 12:19 AM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions
Most of the problems in Linux, (and the only ones I’ve found difficult to solve) are driver issues. Linux wouldn’t have nearly as many issues if it came preinstalled on supported hardware like Windows and OS X.
Posted on Nov 30, 2011 | 8:59 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Linux would still have problems because the kernel doesn’t support binary drivers as Windows/OSX (both of which are hybrid micro/monolithic kernels) does. Linux does not have a fully functional HAL (hardware abstraction layer) either. Each driver has to be compiled for the specific kernel that is running on because each distro uses a different kernel because that’s how monolithic kernels work. That’s all ok but that also means software management turns into an absolute nightmare.
Posted on Nov 30, 2011 | 10:28 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
… so why does EVERY linux build look like win 95?
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 10:46 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
either you are attempting to troll, or you haven’t looked at many distros over the last decade.
If you are serious, I see what you are saying if you are thinking of gnome 2 or some of the lighter weight desktops. Perhaps some people value speed over transparent menus?
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 10:48 PM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions
Enlightenment 0.13 didn’t look like Windows95 at all. Or like anything else for that matter.
Posted on Nov 30, 2011 | 10:07 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
I like Linux Mint, great USB distro on the go.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 10:52 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
I want. Anyone know if it can be installed on a mac via USB? I hate Lion and my superdrive is busted.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 11:06 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
The Ubuntu website contains instructions on installing the OS with a USB drive. Linux Mint uses the same installer as Ubuntu so the instructions will apply to both cases.
Try this link and good luck: http://www.ubuntu.com/download/ubuntu/download
Posted on Nov 30, 2011 | 2:08 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Still my favorite desktop os
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 11:23 PM EST via mobile reply Recommend Flag actions
Thanks for keeping up with the Linus news!
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 11:26 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Looking at that picture just BEGS the question…. WTF size screen is that screenshot taken on? Pretty Baller.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 11:30 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Looks like 2560×1600.
Posted on Nov 30, 2011 | 5:23 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
It’s a beast.
Posted on Nov 30, 2011 | 3:09 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
I installed ubuntu on my mom’s netbook after it collapsed under the weight of windows XP. It’s been working ok for browsing and other basic functionality, in spite of some bugs. Would this be an upgrade from ubuntu for a non-power-user such as my mom?
Posted on Nov 30, 2011 | 12:57 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
No. It’s for hipsters who don’t like how easy Ubuntu makes things for ‘normal’ users.
Posted on Nov 30, 2011 | 1:14 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
Mint is Ubuntu, so it’s only for people that enjoy mints hilariously small tweaks, which you can install anyway by merely adding their repository to the regular installation.
Posted on Nov 30, 2011 | 2:37 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
I have an oldish IBM X60s that I setup for my son and I bounce between Ubuntu and Mint installs, currently running 11.10 but the Unity desktop simply isn’t doing it for me. Might be going back to Mint sooner than I thought. Thanks for the Linux article!
Posted on Nov 30, 2011 | 1:53 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
You could try gnome-shell, kde, or xfce on ubuntu without switching to mint. On one of my PCs I use gnome-shell on ubuntu. I too am not feeling the unity environment.
Posted on Nov 30, 2011 | 12:44 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Is DistroWatch really an accurate measure of the popularity of Linux variants in general? I wonder since I doubt all the people who slapped Ubuntu (or had their child or grandchild do it) on their old netbook or 10 year old PC are the sort of people who hang out on DistroWatch.
I’m curious if Ubuntu has made enough of a name for itself in the mainstream, if only the mainstream tech community, that it may continue to grow even if Linux enthusiasts abandon it en masse for other distros.
Posted on Nov 30, 2011 | 4:39 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Gnome 3 is hello of a lot worse than unity. Also Gnome is trying to be a lot more revolutionary than unity is. However they both are pretty bad…. Gnomes worse.
Posted on Nov 30, 2011 | 5:02 AM EST via mobile reply Recommend Flag actions
To each his own. That is one of the things I like about using linux. I really like gnome-shell (gnome 3). I really feel like it is designed around how I like to work. I feel like it is a big step up from gnome2 (and windows). I have other, less positive thoughts about unity. But as I was saying, the choice is one of the things I like about using linux. Not everyone uses their computer the same way and having different environments tailored to different use cases is a big plus. That is something missing on windows and os X.
To give an example of what I am describing, I like to work with a bunch of non-maximized windows across my desktop (and multiple workspaces) and switch between them using sloppy focus (the window under the mouse has focus). Contrast that with the user that likes to maximize all of their windows (on a single workspace). Or the user that likes to minimize most of their windows (gnome-shell would be especially bad for this user). Or a user who likes to tile their windows. You get the idea. The point is that one environment may not be right for all of these use cases.
Posted on Nov 30, 2011 | 12:50 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
I installed this on Ubuntu 11.10. Now the Software Center won’t start up anymore but everything else seems to work good and it looks nice. That’s Linux for you.
Posted on Nov 30, 2011 | 5:10 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Mint isn’t intended to be used on top of ubuntu.PEBKAC
Posted on Nov 30, 2011 | 12:53 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
I want to give Linux a go again, but:
#And the icing on the cake would be Left4Dead 2, Counter-Strike Source, and Battlefield 3 support/performance that is nearly identical to Windows.
Do all that and i can migrate over.
Posted on Nov 30, 2011 | 1:04 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
1. This problem has been effectively solved for years, but that is my opinion. Depending on how you frame it, it will always be a problem.. There is no one “linux” organization or controller to mandate a particular package format. Each distribution chooses their own package format and even packages that are the same format can not always be used on distributions where they were not intended to be used. Choose a well supported distribution like Ubuntu or Fedora and only use packages from their repositories or packages that are specifically known to work on that distribution
2. The bad news is, this probably hasn’t changed since you last used linux. The good news is that you have been able to do this since you last used linux. Setting the permissions properly on your mount point may not be as trivial as checking a check box though. Figuring out how to do it would require some research. You could also file a bug report in the proper place indicating your desire for such a check box to exist and someone might implement that for you.
3. I don’t know that this is possible. Windows and linux manage users differently. I wouldn’t expect permissions on files on the NTFS partition to map cleanly to a linux system. You can however limit access to the entire NTFS partition to your desired set of users (similar to #2).
4. There are numerous options when it comes to login screens. The login screen in the latest version of ubuntu (11.10) will display a list of users with photos. You may want to try it out (or look at some screen shots) and see if it suits your needs. If not, there may be other options you find acceptable.
5. Wine may support running these games with acceptable performance. A quick look shows that Left4Dead 2 and Counter-Strike: Source seem to work well. Battlefield 3 does not. Running windows games on linux can be a hit or miss affair. You may want to dual boot windows to run your favorite games.
And actually, dual booting might be a good option for you if you want to experiment with linux. I use linux full time at home but it isn’t for everyone. There are things I do without to accomplish this.
Posted on Nov 30, 2011 | 4:07 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
1. While I understand that Linux isn’t one organization, they should be able to get together to formulate a standard. If the car companies can get together to standardize the charging plug on EV cars, and TV manufacturers coming together on a 3D spec, and phone companies standardizing the micro-USB plug, then surely the different groups involved with Linux can standardize the distribution package formats.
2+3 Yea, its unfortunate. I tried researching and implementing a fix (through console commands) to no avail. After 4 hours of trying i just gave up. And quit mounting the HD. And because everything was on my other computer, i just starting going back to Windows more and more until i quit booting just to play in Linux. I think alot of people would be willing to try and play with Linux distributions more if there were a smoother way to transition.
4. Nice! I’ll have to check out how it looks nowdays. Last time i looked (version 9.something), it still looked awful and didn’t have pictures. I like eye candy, and when the login screen looks awful, you’ve already put yourself in the hole.
5. I can’t WAIT for the day that Linux does become more popular and the major game developers support Linux natively. But unfortunately i don’t see that happening in the next 5 years with the way things are going.
Posted on Nov 30, 2011 | 7:11 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
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