If you want to make a distribution based on Mint

[Detective RooTz]

Please pardon my ignorance, but how does one, "...use your own, xsplash, gdm theme wallpaper, etc." ....?

Is there a How To?

Is it really that easy?

Somewhat, There is like a text ediotor like thing you can edit themes in I believe. Or just use a config and make your own. Like take one and edit it to your own needs etc.

[Rukiri]

I wouldn't mind making mint better, it'd surely be easier if the source is released.

[catilley1092]

Wouldn't one have to make the distro based upon Ubuntu, rather than Mint? The reason that I bring this up, is that Mint is largely based upon Ubuntu (but not completely).

Seems also that would be the easier route to take also. There are many Ubuntu based Linux distros on the market, with more showing up regularly. Some makes it, some doesn't. There's been good ones & rotten ones. There's been Mint, & there's been Moon (yuk!) & many in between. Some are still around, hanging in there. But I've yet to see a distro built from Mint.

I just don't see, especially with Mint now the 3rd most used brand of OS in the entire world, the #1 Linux brand, the Mint team handing over their hard work for one to possibly ruin. Mint is based upon elegance & excellence, and with that approach, Mint went from the back of the pack to 3rd in the world. Not an easy feat.

Everyone else who wants to climb to the top of the Linux world should take the same approach, starting from scratch, just as the Mint team did.

Cat

[Colonel Panic]

I wouldn't know how to build on a distro at all, let alone one as polished as Mint, so this doesn't apply to me. To my knowledge only one distro is or will be based on Mint, and that's the next version of Swift Linux (not yet released) which will be based on Mint Debian. The current Swift is based on anticapitalista's AntiX, which is in turn based on Mepis.

[soccerz619]

I wouldn't mind making mint better, it'd surely be easier if the source is released.

Something like this Rukiri?

[x-D]

Wouldn't one have to make the distro based upon Ubuntu, rather than Mint? The reason that I bring this up, is that Mint is largely based upon Ubuntu (but not completely).

Seems also that would be the easier route to take also. There are many Ubuntu based Linux distros on the market, with more showing up regularly. Some makes it, some doesn't. There's been good ones & rotten ones. There's been Mint, & there's been Moon (yuk!) & many in between. Some are still around, hanging in there. But I've yet to see a distro built from Mint.

I just don't see, especially with Mint now the 3rd most used brand of OS in the entire world, the #1 Linux brand, the Mint team handing over their hard work for one to possibly ruin. Mint is based upon elegance & excellence, and with that approach, Mint went from the back of the pack to 3rd in the world. Not an easy feat.

Everyone else who wants to climb to the top of the Linux world should take the same approach, starting from scratch, just as the Mint team did.

Cat

The Distro I am currently involved with working on - Swift Linux - is currently based on Anti-X, but this is being changed for the next release, which we plan to use LMDE as the base for and go from there

[LongNightOfSolace]

but really what software do you use to make respins?
cuz I would like to.

[edwardsantiago1000]

but really what software do you use to make respins?
cuz I would like to.

if hes planning to make a respin with Wine/PlayOnLinux preinstalled, its too late. Zorin OS already did that.

hes gonna have to be creative if he wants to make a Mint respin

[sagirfahmid3]

You would use either remastersys or relinux to make your customized Mint distro.

[swiftlinuxcreator]

I'm working on a new and improved Swift Linux based on Linux Mint Debian Edition. For the benefit of the Linux community, I'll share here a list of the files that need to be changed.

The live installer package is live-installer. The files you need to change in order to remove the "Linux Mint" labels are:
/etc/live-installer/install.conf
/usr/lib/live-installer/frontend/gtk_interface.py
/usr/lib/live-installer/installer.py
/usr/share/icons/live-installer.png
/usr/share/icons/live-installer.xpm
/usr/share/live-installer/logo.png
/usr/share/live-installer/logo.svg
/etc/issue
/etc/issue.net
/etc/lsb-release
/etc/linuxmint/info

[swiftlinuxcreator]

Does anyone here know how to change the initial GRUB menu of the live CD? I'm using mintConstructor to generate ISO files for my LMDE derivative Swift Linux.

I know that the file containing the initial GRUB menu of the live CD is isolinux/isolinux.cfg in the remaster directory created by mintConstructor. I've tried replacing this particular file with an alternative that substitutes "Swift Linux" for "Linux Mint". Unfortunately, the GRUB menu no longer highlights the selected option (boot from the live CD, check the integrity of the CD, memory test, boot from local drive, etc.).

What exactly have I overlooked?

[swiftlinuxcreator]

Ikey, I apologize for my impatience.

I am pleased to report that I now have a solution. I have found that the highlighting of the boot-up options (boot from CD, check the CD, memory test, boot from hard drive, etc.) remains IF I change the isolinux.cfg file rather than replace it. Thus, my remastering script leaves the original isolinux.cfg file in place but changes some of the text in it. The changes I've made to this file consist of replacing the Linux Mint references with Swift Linux references and removing the command that uses splash.jpg as the background. When I boot up, the original Linux Mint splash screen is replaced by a plainer gray splash screen, the text of the menu shows Swift Linux instead of Linux Mint, and the highlighting of the selected option remains.

I still have no idea why the highlighting of the selected menu option is retained if the isolinux.cfg file is changed during the remastering process but the highlighting is lost if the isolinux.cfg file is replaced. There must be a hidden file property that goes beyond the usual name, permissions, content, etc.

[Goro Daimon]

I have a idea
Mint Developers could create Mint Studio like Ubuntu Studio but with much applications. Pure Data extended instead puredata vanilla and Processing and all Ubuntu Studio applications updated with Kernel RT Mint Edition.
But Add office.

SIZE 4,4 GB like Debian DVD

[dagon]

I have a idea
Mint Developers could create Mint Studio like Ubuntu Studio but with much applications. Pure Data extended instead puredata vanilla and Processing and all Ubuntu Studio applications updated with Kernel RT Mint Edition.
But Add office.

SIZE 4,4 GB like Debian DVD

Hi!

No, that is not likely to happen. There isn't developers enough to do another version of Mint. Also I don't think the multimedia user base is that big, mainly because there isn't that many applications around for linux. Tango Studio should cover your needs:
http://tangostudio.tuxfamily.org/
http://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=95808&p=548046

[ringo32]

mint is mint, mayby better support if i can build mint.. but on such a part is better then ubuntu.., if could make, is just a different envirement.. Lubuntu Netbook desktop but on a XFCE version build, but bit beautifuller.. no desktopwall, just 1 hole map

[Evil-K]

I have a idea
Mint Developers could create Mint Studio like Ubuntu Studio but with much applications. Pure Data extended instead puredata vanilla and Processing and all Ubuntu Studio applications updated with Kernel RT Mint Edition.
But Add office.

SIZE 4,4 GB like Debian DVD

Hi!

No, that is not likely to happen. There isn't developers enough to do another version of Mint. Also I don't think the multimedia user base is that big, mainly because there isn't that many applications around for linux. Tango Studio should cover your needs:
http://tangostudio.tuxfamily.org/
http://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=95808&p=548046

As one who does multimedia (music) and has a distinct preference for Linux Mint, the only thing I can say is "if it's built, they will come". Out of all the distros I've tried, Mint is one of the most well put together distros out there, and I think a "Mint Studio" would be excellent and well-received.

Of course, the lack of developers for such a project is a very real problem that's hard to overcome.

Oh well.

[lizbeth]

Building an e17 version of lmde might be fun. Too bad there's no command line install option for mint to simplify the process of building a mint distro.

[jjaythomas]

You can
can install a minimal net/install of Debian (easier on stable) and change source list. Then build up.
Follow the 'Nonofficial KDE LMDE tutorials.
Or minimal 'Ubuntu' with 'Mint sources put in!

J.Jay
P.S. I do it with (another LMDEish base)and upgrade with LMDE's UPacks.

J.Jay

[lizbeth]

Is there a link for that tutorial? I am not finding it on a search. I am only finding the unofficial kde build someone made.

[xclusive585]

Building an e17 version of lmde might be fun. Too bad there's no command line install option for mint to simplify the process of building a mint distro.

Yes, I agree. I'd love to make Mint into a server edition, unfortunately I think it would end up being the same as Ubuntu server unless apt could be configured to only update the packages that mintupdate would.