Linux Mint overtakes Ubuntu as No. 1 Distro

[Jojoyee]

Too bad, Ubuntu 11.10 has no more Gnome 2 fallback. And that gives a chance for Linux Mint to grow faster.

Let's see what Linux Mint 12 Preview has to say:

"As other distributions adopted new desktops such as Unity and Gnome 3, many users felt alienated and consequently migrated to Linux Mint. We recorded a 40% increase in a single month and we’re now quickly catching up with Ubuntu for the number #1 spot within the Linux desktop market."

See Distro Watch -- Last 6 months to Last 1 month.

[Jojoyee]

According to the same preview, the soon-to-be-released Linux Mint 12 is dealing with three brand new technologies:

1. Gnome 3

2. MGSE (Mint Gnome Shell Extensions), a desktop layer on top of Gnome 3 that makes it possible for you to use Gnome 3 in a traditional way, with main features:

• The bottom panel
• The application menu
• The window list
• A task-centric desktop (i.e. you switch between windows, not applications)
• Visible system tray icons

3. MATE, a fork of Gnome 2.32, looks and behaves exactly as Gnome 2.

[MidnightCowboy]

Although I too identify with this chain of events, I think over time it will even out. With the onward march of i-technology I can see new users being more at home with especially Unity as I'm sure they will with W8. This still doesn't detract from Mint's achievement though which really has been remarkable.

[Linuxis]

I always like Linux Mint better anyways. Though not as much as Puppy Linux.

Linux Mint deserves it's spot on number one. It's support community is amazing and far more accessible then Ubuntu's.

[kendall.a]

Having used both Mint and Peppermint over the past 6 months or so, I much prefer Peppermint; at least on my very old laptop.

Peppermint runs smoother and lighter and even faster on my old laptop. Mint slows my computer and my internet connection significantly compared to Peppermint.

[Linuxis]

Originally Posted by kendall

Having used both Mint and Peppermint over the past 6 months or so, I much prefer Peppermint; at least on my very old laptop.

Peppermint runs smoother and lighter and even faster on my old laptop. Mint slows my computer and my internet connection significantly compared to Peppermint.

Well...Peppermint is mostly LXDE plus web apps. Though Puppy Linux has only now started adding web apps, it's surprisingly full featured for a 150 meg or less download. As compared to Peppermint's 500 + megs.

I always wondered how a distro which derives it's functionality from websites and web applications could have such a big download size.

[MidnightCowboy]

Was sort of cornered into this one by a neighbor who having listened to my Linux rhetoric insisted on seeing installed on my own computer first Will teach me to keep it shut next time.

This the the LTS 10 Julia with custom panel + icons and a selection of Screenlets.

[nesrinamb]

Linux sure has improved a lot over the years...shhhhhh..... do you guys here that i think its Microsoft shaking in their boots.

No but seriously mint and Ubuntu have really given Linux a fighting chance to be an OS for the masses.

[MidnightCowboy]

Originally Posted by nesrinamb

Linux sure has improved a lot over the years...shhhhhh..... do you guys here that i think its Microsoft shaking in their boots.

No but seriously mint and Ubuntu have really given Linux a fighting chance to be an OS for the masses.

Certainly usability gets better with every new release but overall I can appreciate why a lot of Windows users stay true to their cause even though they might often complain about it. The whole Linux thing with forks and different desktop choices is confusing and hard work for new users to cut through. With Windows at least they know in advance what they're going to get.

[nesrinamb]

I think that one of the best things is the choices that you have with Linux but unfortunately its also the biggest thing holding Linux back from taking a huge market share.

But I would rather see Linux thrive with many different versions in a niche market where ideas are shared freely, then see it become bland with only two versions out on the market.

I have clients that started going on the internet with IE and will never switch to Google chrome or Firefox. They have gotten accustomed to it and dont want change and never will.