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Linux Mint is a community-driven Linux distribution based on Debian and Ubuntu that strives to be a "modern, elegant and comfortable operating system which is both powerful and easy to use." Linux Mint provides full out-of-the-box multimedia support by including some proprietary software and comes bundled with a variety of free and open-source applications.
The project was conceived by Clément Lefèbvre and is being actively developed by the Linux Mint Team and community.
SpecsUpdate
Pros
Pro Already functional out-of-the-box
Mint comes bundled with software for browsing the web, editing pictures, browsing files, watching videos and even a full office suite (LibreOffice). An average user can use Mint right away after a fresh install, using all the software that comes with the distribution to complete most of their daily tasks.
Pro Easy installation and configuration
Linux Mint uses the same installer as Ubuntu. It is very easy to use for beginners, and also allows more advanced users to choose their own partitions. Linux Mint's Cinnamon desktop is highly customizable and can be made to look however preferred.
Pro Familiar user interface
Mint is highly recommended for both users coming from Windows, as well as users coming from Ubuntu, but unhappy with Ubuntu's recent, rather dramatic interface changes. Mint provides an updated interface with a look and feel similar to Gnome 2, with an application menu reminiscent of the Windows 7 Start Menu, with categorization and search.
Pro Provides LTS (long term support) versions
Long Term Support versions are versions of software that are continuously updated for an extended period of time, even after newer versions are launched. LTS versions will typically get feature additions and enhancements for an extended period of time, then security updates up until its End of Life. An LTS release should typically be considered good for at least 5 years.
Pro Low learning curve to go from installation to advanced configuration
Mint is extremely easy to install, and with community support, easy to move onto adjusting the OS to meet your specific needs. The vast majority of instructions for undertaking configuration work and are easy to understand.
Pro Mint 20 will actively avoid Snap
A landmine planted by Canonical in Ubuntu 20.04.
Pro Highly customizable
In the Cinnamon version you can easily change fonts, themes, folder colours, scrollbar width, icon size in the menu (main app launcher), icon spacing and direction on the desktop, panel has several options (left and right side panel icons can have different sizes) etc. In the Nemo file app you can even customize context menus and the toolbar. So, Mint Cinnamon resembles KDE Plasma but does not overwhelm.
Pro Popular
Linux Mint is currently the second most hit page on DistroWatch. Because of its popularity, long-term support is pretty guaranteed.
Pro The 2016 hack was very quickly dealt with and is a non-issue over 4 years later
Cons
Con They are to close to Microsoft Communists and they are too much politically involved
Clement Lefebvre, the lead developer of Linux Mint, a variant of Ubuntu, doesn’t want support from Israel or of those who back the Israeli government.
Lefebvre said so on the official blog of Linux Mint this weekend. That message was removed, but I found it in Google cache (emphasis mine):
“I don’t want any money or help coming from people who support the actions of the Israeli government.”
SO HE THINK HE IS LINUX, RIGHT?
One commenter on his personal blog asked:
“Do you still not want support for Mint from supporters of Israel’s government?”
Lefebvre’s reply:
“If I supported terrorists would you accept me to help you, to finance you and to interact with you?”
Lefebvre does admit to the existence of Palestinian terrorism, but doesn’t reject the support of pro-Palestinians, because “one is significantly more empowered to reach a solution to the problem than the other one.”
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Flagged Pros + Cons
Pro 2016 hack listed here as a Con, was very quickly dealt with and is a non-issue over 4 years later
Pro Mint 20 will actively avoid the Snap landmine planted by Canonical in Ubuntu 20.04
Pro Highly customizable
In the Cinnamon version you can easily change fonts, themes, folder colours, scrollbar width, icon size in the menu (main app launcher), icon spacing and direction on the desktop, panel has several options (left and right side panel icons can have different sizes) etc. In the Nemo file app you can even customize context menus and the toolbar. So, Mint Cinnamon resembles KDE Plasma but does not overwhelm.
Con Political
Clement Lefebvre, the lead developer of Linux Mint said “I don’t want any money or help coming from people who support the actions of the Israeli government.”