Linux Mint Will Stay with Ubuntu
Lead developer quells rumors that the Debian version is slated for center stage.
Despite rumors to the contrary, the popular Linux Mint project will continue to base Mint on Ubuntu Linux. Mint currently maintains an Ubuntu-based main branch and a separate Debian-based version known as Linux Mint Debian Edition (LMDE). In response to a recent question from a reader, who asked, “Wasn’t there a plan to make LMDE the main distro?”, lead Mint developer Clem Lefebvre replied: “We maintain both Mint and LMDE … and we’ll continue to maintain them as long as they are popular. In terms of popularity, Mint itself represents a big majority of our user base, and LMDE is just getting a brand new release so it’s a little early to assess the size of its audience. I know fans can be quite vocal about their favorite package base, project, and/or desktop environments, and you might have heard some of them wishing for us to discontinue this or focus more on that. We’re already reacting to feedback and popularity though, so I can confirm that we’ve no plans to do such thing.”
This announcement means that, for the foreseeable future, the project will continue as it has in the past: primary attention on the Ubuntu-based Mint and LMDE as an auxiliary product. Missing from the exchange (but on the mind of every Linux watcher) is the Free vs. Open Source subtext. Debian is an all-Free Software distribution, whereas Ubuntu reserves the right to include drivers, codecs, and other elements that might not meet the Free Software definition. The Free Software faithful will continue to push for all-Free upsteam source, but like Ubuntu, Mint has gained a reputation for out-of-the-box functionality that requires some compromises with non-Free components.
According to the Mint website, “LMDE is less mainstream than Linux Mint, it has a much smaller user base, it is not compatible with PPAs, and it lacks a few features. That makes it a bit harder to use and harder to find help for, so it is not recommended for novice users.” On the other hand, according the Mint developers, LMDE is “slightly faster” and runs newer software.
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.

News
-
Plasma 6.3 Now Available
Plasma desktop v6.3 has a couple of pretty nifty tricks up its sleeve.
-
LibreOffice 25.2 Has Arrived
If you've been hoping for a release that offers more UI customizations, you're in for a treat.
-
TuxCare Has a Big AlmaLinux 9 Announcement in Store
TuxCare announced it has successfully completed a Security Technical Implementation Guide for AlmaLinux OS 9.
-
First Release Candidate for Linux Kernel 6.14 Now Available
Linus Torvalds has officially released the first release candidate for kernel 6.14 and it includes over 500,000 lines of modified code, making for a small release.
-
System76 Refreshes Meerkat Mini PC
If you're looking for a small form factor PC powered by Linux, System76 has exactly what you need in the Meerkat mini PC.
-
Gnome 48 Alpha Ready for Testing
The latest Gnome desktop alpha is now available with plenty of new features and improvements.
-
Wine 10 Includes Plenty to Excite Users
With its latest release, Wine has the usual crop of bug fixes and improvements, along with some exciting new features.
-
Linux Kernel 6.13 Offers Improvements for AMD/Apple Users
The latest Linux kernel is now available, and it includes plenty of improvements, especially for those who use AMD or Apple-based systems.
-
Gnome 48 Debuts New Audio Player
To date, the audio player found within the Gnome desktop has been meh at best, but with the upcoming release that all changes.
-
Plasma 6.3 Ready for Public Beta Testing
Plasma 6.3 will ship with KDE Gear 24.12.1 and KDE Frameworks 6.10, along with some new and exciting features.