Mint's update manager has long been regarded by many as one of the most informative of any Linux distribution.
The distribution introduced a style of grouping applications and showing user ratings several releases before Ubuntu switched to their better known version in Ubuntu's Software Centre. Linux Mint's package management applications have always been excellent. For those users who feel that even Cinnamon is too much of a departure from GNOME 2, the alternative MATE desktop is available and retains much of its upstream configuration with its GNOME-2-based desktop. Linux Mint also provides its own Cinnamon desktop shell, built atop some GNOME 3 components (albeit with its own, forked window manager and file browser) and designed to offer users a stylish, but somewhat classical desktop experience that is more in line with GNOME 2's aesthetics than those of its successor. This is supplemented by the project's own repositories that, as in previous releases, provide a number of restricted, non-free codecs as well as a number of applications developed by the Linux Mint team, such as the distribution's update and package management tools.
Linux Mint 15 is built upon Ubuntu 13.04 and has access to all of its packages through the official Ubuntu repositories. With Canonical and Ubuntu concentrating more than ever on expanding into mobile form factors and embedded entertainment devices, the time may have come for Linux Mint to take over a more prominent role as the desktop Linux of choice for a large number of users. Since its inception over six years ago, the distribution has become popular with many users trying Linux for the first time and with those who find the general architecture of Ubuntu appealing, but who do not care for the direction that Canonical has set for Ubuntu's user interface. With the release of Linux Mint 15, code-named "Olivia", the developers of the Ubuntu-based Linux distribution have presented the latest result of their efforts to create a Linux desktop that is usable by newcomers and experienced computer users alike. The H investigates whether "the most ambitious release since the start of the project" delivers on it. With Ubuntu and Canonical apparently being focused on the mobile and entertainment spaces, Linux Mint 15 has a shot at accomplishing this goal. The Linux Mint project has released the latest version of its Ubuntu-based Linux distribution and its developers are setting their sights on making the distribution the go-to choice for all Linux users on the desktop. Linux Mint 15 A better Ubuntu for the desktop by Fabian A.