Re: [orca-list] Ubuntu, Mint and there flavors. What's the difference between all of them?

[Alex ARNAUD <aarnaud hypra fr>]

    Hello Daniel,
    
    To simplify: see a Linux distribution as an operating system which
    runs on your computer. Windows, mac and Ubuntu run on your computer.
    
    On Windows and mac you've no choice so there is one desktop
    environment for them. On Linux, you've the choice between multiple
    desktop environment. A desktop environment is a set of software
    which allows you to do the simple things of your computer like
    launching an application, going to the desktop, go to the wifie
    network and much more. On GNOME, Mate or Cinnamon the way to launch
    application and to access the wifi network.
    
    For example on the Mate desktop environment you've (it's mostly the
    same on other one):

• A software to see opened application and to launch them called Mate panel.
  
• A file explorer called Caja like the Windows explorer.
• A battery manager called Mate power manager to handle how the computer react to different battery status.
• A screensaver to lock your screen.
• A text editor called Pluma to edit text like the Windows notepad.
• A PDF viewer called Atril to open PDF files like Adobe Reader.
• A Mate calculator.
  
• A control centre like configure some aspect of your desktop.
• And maybe I forgot some of them.
  

    All those pieces of software constitutes what we call a desktop
    environment like Windows comes bundle with a bunch of software by
    default.
    
    An Ubuntu flavour is the base OS with a desktop environment. Ubuntu
    Mate comes with all the Mate applications, Xubuntu comes with the
    XFCE desktop environment.
    
    What is the relationship between Debian, Ubuntu and Mint?

• Each Linux distribution has its own store called repository. For example, Debian comes with Firefox enterprise version whereas Ubuntu comes with the normal Firefox version because each one package their version independently.
• Debian releases a stable distribution when "it is ready", it means when all blocked bugs has been figured out. It's usually every two years.
• Ubuntu has a planned schedule and has different way to handle their release.
• Mint has its own schedule.
• Debian, Ubuntu and Mint don't have the same installer so it means you don't install your OS with the same software on those three distribution.
• You don't upgrade Debian, Ubuntu and Mint the same way.
  
• Debian has been created in the nineties and is a democratic project and has a social contract.
  
• Ubuntu has been created in 2005 and is based on Debian and is sponsored by the Canonical company so Canonical decides for example at the end how Firefox is provided to the users.
• Mint is based on Ubuntu.
• I mean by based, Ubuntu takes most of its software from Debian, Mint takes most of its software from Ubuntu. Both Ubuntu and Mint changes what they want on top of Ubuntu or Debian.
  
• All the Ubuntu and Mint software are stored on their own repository.

    Don't panic if every concepts are not easy to digest at first. I
    wouldn't be able to answer this question ten years ago.
    
    Hope that helps.

Le 20/12/2020 à 16:16, Daniel McGee via orca-list a écrit :

Hello all

 

Since I am new to Linux, I have been trying to get my head around something that I hope you good folks could explain in order that I can understand further.

 

The first thing, Ubuntu VS Mint. What’s the difference? Are these what they call distros?

 

 

Secondly, What’s the difference between the families of: Ubuntu and Mint?  mint-cinnamon, mint-mate, and mint. Also ubuntu and ubuntu-mate. Are these still called distros? Or are they different flavors now. If anyone could explain using Windows or Mac as a comparison, I think that will make a whole lot more sense to me.

 

Finally, when it all comes down to it, with all the above choices, is it purely a visual / sighted thing and not blindness related at all?

 

Sorry for the long post but I would like to understand this.

 

With kind regards

 

Daniel

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