Linux Mint and Linux Mint Debian Edition?

Question

Wait what??? I mean I'm not the major linux zealot here but, lets see if I can make this out here:

Linux Mint is basically Ubuntu, Which is basically Debian?
Which means that what works on Ubuntu (plus or minus some) works on Linux Mint?

So if Linux Mint is already working with Debian, why in the world would you make a Debian Edition?

Answer 1

Ubuntu has added a lot of stuff. With 11.04 that have even changed a lot of stuff that is quite different - the Unity system is the biggest difference. This stuff may or may not be good, depending on your needs, loves, and preferences. A Mint based on straight Debian is a leaner version of Mint. This does add some simplicity and speed. It can also take away a few features that may or may not be useful to you.



The big reason to consider Linux Mint LMDE is that it is a rolling release. That means that it continuously upgrades from the "Testing" version of Debian without having to do a full, clean install every 6 months. (Ubuntu and Ubuntu-based versions of Mint get a whole new version every 6 months that you should install from scratch.) This means that you don't have to start from scratch every 6 months.



A couple of notes: Linux Mint Xfce is a lighter version of Linux that is also based on the rolling updates of Debian Xfce. Mint has also started experimenting with a "bouncing" release option of Debian where some additional testing is done by the Mint community before releasing every month or so. This should give more stable and better working upgrades instead of the daily updates that may or may not break something unexpected.

Answer 2

There are differences between Debian and Ubuntu. Debian generally releases a new distribution every two years, while Ubuntu releases twice a year. Debian is a more traditional Linux system and supports a wider variety of platforms, but I'm not sure if that applies to Debian Mint. Maybe I'll download an iso and try it out, or see what distrowatch says about it.

Answer 3

Mint works on an Ubuntu base except for the Debian version. Not point arguing that's it!

Answer 4

I believe the general consensus is that "rolling releases" are more subject to breaking during updates / upgrades. And if I recall correctly, there are specific warnings on the Mint LMDE webpages. The LMDE is less stable and more prone to problems - which you may have to fix before you will be able to run your machine - so unless you are really comfortable with Linux and troubleshooting from the command line, you may be happier with the regular Mint 14.x rather than LMDE. You can install them both, and switch between them as you wish - if so inclined. That is how my machine is set up right now.