Debian's repositories are large. What you would lose is PPAs and the extra repositories such as Medibuntu and Getdeb. Ubuntu has become the default for binary and DEB packages for third parties as well. Mint's compatability with Ubuntu is an asset and the main reason why I think that Mint will stick with Ubuntu. Where they will make their gains is in having different default applications from those repositories and perhaps in desktop choice. All GNOME based distributions are in for a time of transition as GNOME itself is moving from GNOME 2.x to GNOME Shell and Ubuntu is moving to Unity. Change is a fact of life and in the long run there is nothing we can do but accept it. I am curious why you feel that you have to move from Mint 9 which is based on 10.04 LTS. It has over 2 more years of support.
The other big thing that you lose when you move to Debian is ease of configuration and hardware compatability. Debian plans on stripping the kernel of proprietary blobs which means that using hardware is going to be more difficult. They were put into the kernel to make it easier for users. Removing them will turn back the clock to the days when we had a hard time getting things to work. They are not doing it for practical reasons, but ideological reasons and it only makes sense if you buy into the "there is only one way" belief held by the extreme fringe in the FSF. Anyway, I was in Linux in the bad old days and don't want a flashback. It used to be cool to use, but now it marks you as a fossil. Debian has some great things going for it. It is solid and stable. It uses a rolling release. It has history behind it. It has three levels at which you can use it (I like sid). It has huge repositories. And it works on almost architecture. It is a great base to build on, but I would not consider using it. I have used great distributions and bad ones and I know what I want and Debian does not fit the bill for me. Fortunately there are many kinds of users so Debian has a future, but it is for hardcore users who like basic functionality and don't mind tinkering to get it to work. My biggest problem with Debian has always been its people. They are like no other Linux users. As for unetbootin, I have great luck with it. I run it on 64-bit Kubuntu. I have used it hundreds of times over the years. It has failed with some distros, but it mostly works and usb keys are the easiest and fastest installation medium. I have had CDs and DVDs fail, too. There are no guarantees either way. Roy Using Kubuntu 10.10, 64-bit Location: Canada On 8 February 2011 04:17, m <[email protected]> wrote: > > > > > --- In [email protected], Roy <linuxcanuck@...> wrote: > > > > We are a bit off topic, so I won't belabor it. LMDE is stable. I have run > it > > only in a VM. It is worth looking at, but I would not place too much > stock > > in it for regular use. There are several user friendly Debian based > distros > > that I would use first such as SimplyMEPIS or aptosid which both have a > > proven record and have good community support. LMDE is a side project and > > until mint commits to it then I would see it just as that, something to > try > > on the side. > > > > Roy > > > > Using Kubuntu 10.10, 64-bit > > Location: Canada > > > Thanks again, Roy. > I'm not searching for a derivative of Debian per se, though I do prefer the > Deb offspring over the others. I'm curious about where I might consider > moving after Mint 9. The Ubu base has been wonderful, and I would hardly > abandon GNU/Linux if Mint moved up the branch, so to speak, or even if it > was abandoned. And you get a -10 for semi-recommending SimplyMEPIS! OK, just > kidding, but it's not a matter of user-friendliness that spawned my > question. I have used pure Debian before, and I liked it, but damn, ya gotta > love those Ubu repos! > Mark > "Takin' care of business..." > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ To unsubscribe from this list, please email [email protected] & you will be removed.Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LINUX_Newbies/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LINUX_Newbies/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: [email protected] [email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
