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Fundamental confusion regarding LMDE (sorry)

Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2010 6:07 pm
by hcueva
Ok, sorry for the 10th thread on this topic, but I have a very fundamental confusion regarding LMDE, and I haven't been able to figure it out by reading (I have tried, I promise).

Premise: The only reason why I installed LMDE is because, as I understand it, I could keep the same install for years, as long as I do my apt-get update && apt-get dist-upgrade (as opposed to, say, Mint 9, which would be really outdated after about a year). NOTE: That's it. I don't really care about Linux Mint's specific tools, neither am I interested in getting the super fresh, newest software in the world. I'm just interested in a distro that I could install, and keep relatively updated software, and not having to reinstall for years (theoretically ever).


Confusion: Since Linux Mint's specific tools aren't of my interest, is there really an advantage to using LMDE vs. Debian testing? Does LMDE provide extra stability by further filtering Debian's updates (or something)? Would I have a potentially more unstable system if I were to switch to Debian testing, or is Linux Mint's tools and look-and-feel the only advantage vs. Debian testing?

Thanks in advance for your help. I guess my confusion arises from the fact that Debian never really calls their distro "rolling", so I'm not even sure whether Debian testing really is rolling, or if I'd have to do a fresh install at some point. If LMDE isn't more stable, and Mint's tools and the look-and-feel are the only advantage, I would consider installing Debian testing just to be closer to the source of this whole thing.

Re: Fundamental confusion regarding LMDE (sorry)

Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2010 6:53 pm
by k3lt01
Being somone who installed LMDE from the LiveDVD and had difficulty with it which prompted me to do a fresh install using Debian Testing as a base I can tell you that apart from the Mint specific repository, along with the debian-multimedia rpository, the is no difference whatsoever between LMDE and Debian testing. Infact there are conflicts, depending on your hardware, with settings that are preset within the LMDE LiveDVD.

I now have a Mintyfied Debian Testing install and it is beautiful, even though I just found another issue with the keyboard but thats a Debian issue not a LMDE one, and easy to use. The very nature of the beast means it will take mor time and ffort to maintain. If your happy to do that then go for it if not stick to a regular distritbution because a new install every 6 or 12 months may be a better option if you don't like ongoing maintenance.

Re: Fundamental confusion regarding LMDE (sorry)

Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2010 9:49 pm
by vincent
LMDE is easier to install and comes with flash and various codecs by default. There really isn't any difference besides that.

Re: Fundamental confusion regarding LMDE (sorry)

Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2010 10:39 pm
by blowtorch
vincent wrote:LMDE is easier to install and comes with flash and various codecs by default. There really isn't any difference besides that.
and pulse audio

Re: Fundamental confusion regarding LMDE (sorry)

Posted: Fri Nov 19, 2010 3:24 pm
by mads
Hi hcueva.
The solution to the opening post of the thread "How transform LMDE into Pure Debian Squeeze", starts with this statement:
First of all: I don'T think it is worth any work. The differences are tiny.
followed up by this statement:
LIke said: i would simply keep it the way it is. You got all Debian has got to offer. What more can one want?
and
Stick with Mint. Its a decent enough debian-based distro. It pretty much is Debian Testing with some pretty themes, menus and update tools thrown on top.
Check out your self: http://forums.debian.net/viewtopic.php? ... 02#p331930