Here is a question that is often asked in forums, on Reddit, and within chatrooms: Should I use Linux Mint or Ubuntu?
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On the surface, there isn't much difference between Linux Mint and Ubuntu as Linux Mint is based on Ubuntu (except for Linux Mint Debian Edition) and apart from the desktop environment and default applications, there isn't really a difference.
In this article, we're going to list 5 reasons why you would choose Linux Mint over Ubuntu.
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Cinnamon vs. Unity
Unity is the flagship desktop environment which is installed with Ubuntu. It isn't everybody's cup of tea though and you either love it or loathe it.
Cinnamon, on the other hand, is more traditional, much like the Windows desktop that many users have become accustomed to over the past 20 years.
Cinnamon is more customizable than Unity and provides the ability to have multiple panels, a selection of applets and desklets.
Ubuntu users would argue that you don't have to use Unity and there are other desktop environments available such as the Xubuntu desktop or Lubuntu desktop.
The same is true of Linux Mint. The difference between Linux Mint and Ubuntu with this regard is that you can install the XFCE version, the KDE version, the MATE version or the Cinnamon version and whilst the actual controls used might be different the overall look and feel remain consistent.
Installing the Xubuntu desktop or Lubuntu desktop provides a completely different look and feel because they are aimed at different audiences.
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Linux Mint Is More Familiar for Windows Users
Linux Mint will feel instantly more familiar to Windows users than Ubuntu.
It doesn't matter which version of Linux Mint you install, there will be a single panel at the bottom with a menu, quick launch icons, and system tray icons in the bottom right.
Without any changes to the setup, the menus for all the applications also appear at the top of the application window. Ubuntu has this as a setting which you can toggle on and off.
Linux Mint and Ubuntu have very similar applications so it is hard to argue the merit of one set of applications over another.
For instance, Ubuntu has Rhythmbox installed as a media player whereas Linux Mint has Banshee. They are both very good applications and this requires an article in its own right.
Linux Mint comes with the VLC media player installed whereas Ubuntu comes with Totem.
Both of these applications are very good and arguing the merits of one over the other shouldn't be used to make your decision as to whether to use Mint or Ubuntu.
Applications can be installed via the graphical package managers that come with each distribution anyway.
The point though is that Linux Mint provides a desktop experience which Windows users will be used to and applications that will appeal to the average Windows user.
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The Ability to Use Non-Free Codecs
Linux Mint comes with all the non-free codecs required to watch Flash videos and listen to MP3 audio pre-installed.
When you install Ubuntu for the first time there is an option during the installation which asks whether you want to install Fluendo and other third-party tools.
By selecting this option you will be able to play MP3 audio and flash videos. If you don't check this option you will need to install the Ubuntu-Restricted-Extras package to get the same functionality.
This is a minor point but it makes Linux Mint slightly more usable from the outset than Ubuntu.
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Privacy and Advertising
Here is an excerpt which highlights the Ubuntu Privacy Policy:
Canonical collects personal information from you in a number of different ways. For example, when you download one of our products, receive services from us or use one of our websites (including www.canonical.com and
www.ubuntu.com).
So what sort of personal information is collected and who gets it?
When you enter a search term into the dash Ubuntu will search your Ubuntu computer and will record the search terms locally. Unless you have opted out (see the “Online Search” section below), we will also send your keystrokes as a search term to productsearch.ubuntu.com and selected third parties
There is a switch within Ubuntu that enables you to prevent this information from being collected but within Linux Mint you don't have to worry about this in the first place.
Does this mean you shouldn't trust Ubuntu? Of course, it doesn't. If you read the full privacy policy you can see what type of information is collected and how it is used.
Ubuntu also has a lot of advertising built into the desktop experience which means when you search for something you will receive links to items from the Amazon store.
In some ways, this is a good thing as it integrates your shopping experience into your desktop but for some of you, it will be extremely annoying. Some people just don't like to be bombarded with advertising.
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Linux Mint Debian Edition and Rolling Release
One thing that puts people off Linux Mint is the fact that the upgrade path isn't always simple and that you will have to reinstall the entire operating system rather than upgrade.
This is only true of major releases. If you are going from Linux Mint 16 to 17 then you will have to reinstall but going from 17 to 17.1 provides a relatively easy upgrade path.
If the idea of upgrading and reinstalling puts a knot in your stomach then try Linux Mint Debian Edition. (LMDE)
LMDE is a rolling release distribution and therefore it remains constantly up to date without ever having to reinstall it.
IntroductionWhat is Linux Mint? Linux Mint is an operating system (OS), based on Ubuntu/Debian Linux. What's an OS? It's basically Windows 7, Mac OS X, etc. - software that runs on your laptop and desktop that exists as your base. Without an OS, you can't really do anything with your computer!
Linux Mint is a great OS, and is a great free alternative to Windows and Mac OS X. It has many of the features and applications that Windows has without the expensive pricetag!
Hyped? Let's get started!
Prerequisites
We need to know a few things:
■Is this a fresh install or an existing install? A fresh install is when you are starting off with a completely new system, with a blank hard drive. If your hard drive has an OS on it already, you are performing an existing install. This tutorial is only if you are doing a fresh install. If you are not doing that kind of install, see my other tutorial for instructions on how to set up a dual boot configuration for an existing system.
■Will you install another OS in the future? This tutorial only covers a single installation. If you plan on installing Windows on the side, this tutorial may not be for you.
■A reasonably sized HDD to hold Linux Mint OS
■Installation media to install Linux Mint
■A CD/DVD drive or USB port if the installation media is in the form of a USB flash drive
That said, let's get started!
Steps:
(Note: The screenshots below were taken in a virtual machine. Things should be pretty much the same as on a real machine, but there may be slight differences depending on your hardware configuration.)
1) Boot into the Linux Mint LiveCD.
Insert the Linux Mint installtion media into the computer, and boot into it. If it doesn't start the Windows Setup, change your BIOS settings to allow the CD/DVD drive and/or the USB drive to boot first.
You will likely see this screen:
Just wait until it loads. Do not hit any keys.
2) Start the setup!
Double click Install Linux Mint.
3) Proceed through the setup screens!
On the first part, click Continue (unless you are changing languages).
On the second part, make sure that each requirement has a checkbox. Internet is optional, but it's recommended. If you have a laptop, a power source is recommended, but not required. Setup may take a long time, so make sure to take that into consideration.
4) Select setup option!
Once at this screen, you can select two methods of setup.
The first option, Erase disk and install Linux Mint, allows you to automatically setup, without dealing with anything complicated. Choose this option if you are short on time, and/or don't want to manually partition.
The second option, Something else, allows you to manually partition the hard drive. Pick this option if you want to manually partition the hard drive, or want to learn something new!
If you picked the first option, simply click Install Now to begin the installation and skip to step 6.
If you picked the second option, click Continue.
5) Partitioning
Partitioning is where you create partitions on your hard drive. Partitions are really what they sound - actual partitions on your hard drive. (Still don't get it? Think of it as an acre of land, split up into sections for a farm, a lake, a house, etc... that's basically what is going to happen to your hard drive.) Different OSs operate within each partition. You can't install multiple OSs in one partition - it simply doesn't work. (In the farm example - imagine trying to build a house on top of your barn!) Therefore, we need to 'partition' your hard drive so that we can install two (or more) Windows OSs on your system.
a) Figuring out size requirements
To figure out the partition sizes, we just need to know one thing: what is the size of your RAM?
If it is >=1 GB, multiple the number of GBs by 1024 and note it.
If it is <1 GB, just note the number of MBs.
Write these values down. Now we're ready to partition!
b) Actually partitioning...
NOTE: The setup for Linux Mint applies partition changes immediately, so beware!
To begin, click New Partition Table... to create a new partition table on the blank drive.
On the dialog asking you to confirm, click Continue.
Now it should look like this:
Select the free space and then click the [+] button near the bottom-left corner.
Now a Create Partition window should show up.
Do the following:
■Change Size to the number of MBs you found in the previous step.
■Make sure the type of new partition is Primary.
■Change Location for the new partition to End of this space.
■Change Use as to swap area.
Now your partitions should look like this:
Then select the free space again.
Then click the [+] button near the bottom-left corner.
Do the following:
■Change Size to use all of the leftover space, if not already. (You usually don't have to change this!)
■Make sure the type of new partition is Primary.
■Change Location for the new partition to Beginning of this space.
■Change Use as to Ext4 journaling file system.
■Change Mount point to /.
Now your partitions should look like this:
Once done, click Install Now to begin the installation.
6) Actually install Linux Mint
a) Select Location
Select your location - either type it in (and have autocomplete help you), or select it from the map.
Once selected, click Continue.
b) Select Keyboard Layout
Select your keyboard layout. If you live in the US and buy a standard US keyboard, you don't need to change anything.
Once selected, click Continue.
c) Set up user info
Fill out the boxes in this screen, and then click Continue.
Optionally, you may opt to log in automatically, or encrypt the home folder.
You should fill out all the boxes, like below.
d) Finally installing!
Allow Linux Mint to complete the installation.
e) Reboot!
When the installation finished, the reboot dialog appears. Click Restart Now.
7) Boot into your new system!
Once you get to the login screen, click your name.
Then type in your password.
8) Enjoy!
Your Linux Mint is now ready to go! Hopefully you learned a bit from this tutorial, and enjoy your new Linux Mint system!