Page 1 of 1

Whats exacly the diffrence between Mint KDE and Kubuntu.

Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2012 9:30 pm
by bugmenotprettyplz
This is NOT about Mint in general!

What i already know:
  • MInt KDE is always one release or so "behind" kubuntu and based upon it.
  • It comes with DVD and more software out of the box
The topic name is my question. A google search give me a hell of a lot useless crap but no real andswer to this

What is changed, what is customized? What's the real difference.

I want to say boldly that is is also critic on Mint because things like this should be mentioned in the FAQ easy accessible to everyone. I mean top distro and only 6 pionts in FAQ not even mentioning the differences for the main Desktop (Mate, Cinnamon ... ) confused? I also watched for sticky threads about something like this - nothing.

Re: Whats exacly the diffrence between Mint KDE and Kubuntu.

Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2012 1:59 pm
by xenopeek
Moved here by moderator

Linux Mint KDE is not based on Kubuntu, but on Ubuntu, AFAIK.

As Linux Mint 13 KDE is still in development, looking at Linux Mint 12. Linux Mint adds its own repositories to the ones available on Ubuntu, with as you noted some additional programs already installed. I've not compared it with Ubuntu + KDE, but here is the contents of the additional repositories:
http://packages.linuxmint.com/list.php?release=Lisa
http://packages.linuxmint.com/list.php?release=Lisa-KDE

Re: Whats exacly the diffrence between Mint KDE and Kubuntu.

Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2012 3:18 pm
by cwwgateway
bugmenotprettyplz wrote:This is NOT about Mint in general!

What i already know:
  • MInt KDE is always one release or so "behind" kubuntu and based upon it.
  • It comes with DVD and more software out of the box
First, Mint KDE is not always one release behind Kubuntu. Mint KDE 12 is based on Ubuntu 11.10, meaning currently it is one release behind. However, Mint 13 KDE is in testing right now, and it is based on Ubuntu 12.04, which is the current release. Once Mint 13 KDE is released, it will be based on the newest release until Ubuntu 12.10/Mint 14. Otherwise, Vincent is correct.

Re: Whats exacly the diffrence between Mint KDE and Kubuntu.

Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2012 4:34 pm
by bugmenotprettyplz
xenopeek wrote:Moved here by moderator

Linux Mint KDE is not based on Kubuntu, but on Ubuntu, AFAIK.

As Linux Mint 13 KDE is still in development, looking at Linux Mint 12. Linux Mint adds its own repositories to the ones available on Ubuntu, with as you noted some additional programs already installed. I've not compared it with Ubuntu + KDE, but here is the contents of the additional repositories:
http://packages.linuxmint.com/list.php?release=Lisa
http://packages.linuxmint.com/list.php?release=Lisa-KDE
Well there is nothing customised at all? Seems to be just rebranding, skins, kde look stuff. Exept rootactions-servicemenu and mint-configuration-kde what are they doing?

So even a moderator with almost 6000 Posts can't tell me exactly what's customised in mint?

This list seems to be packages developped for mint. But what about the other packages? If Mint is not based on Kubuntu i guess for a reason. Why? I could imagine that that is because some packages that are in the kubuntu meta package are not wanted inside mint. But on the other hand why not just base in on kubuntu and remove some packages?

What packages are used by default? Is Firefox installed by default? In kubuntu there is only a menu entry to install it and then you must set the browser default in kde preferences because FX itself setting to default is not enough for programms. That could be a plus for MInt since its based on ubuntu i guess thats true. So whats used whats not used? And why is it so hard to find this out?

Someone can fill me in on the hidden secrets of mint? A package list comparison Kubuntu <> Mint KDE anywhere? Still can't see a reason why it's such pain to get even a basic undestanding what mint KDE actually IS. Do i have to be a programmer and dig into the 2 packages sources i underlines above or what? I don't know how to get a list of all packages of kubuntu, somehow i have a idea of getting a list of the kubuntu-desktop package and all dependencies but is there a mint meta package? Where?
First, Mint KDE is not always one release behind Kubuntu.
I wrote "or so".

Re: Whats exacly the diffrence between Mint KDE and Kubuntu.

Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2012 5:50 pm
by xenopeek
bugmenotprettyplz wrote:So even a moderator with almost 6000 Posts can't tell me exactly what's customised in mint?
The key word there being moderator, not developer :wink: And not being a user of Kubuntu, I can't compare it with Linux Mint KDE. Perhaps a user who has experience with both can pipe in on that.

I'm sure you are right that more customization is done, beyond the added repositories and difference it default installed applications.

As for why Linux Mint KDE isn't using Kubuntu as a base, that is so that all the Linux Mint versions based on Ubuntu share the same base. Linux Mint Xfce is also not based on Xubuntu.

Re: Whats exacly the diffrence between Mint KDE and Kubuntu.

Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2012 9:00 am
by BostonPeng
xenopeek wrote:Linux Mint KDE is not based on Kubuntu, but on Ubuntu, AFAIK.
Mint KDE isn't based on Kubuntu? That seems a little odd to me. Does anyone know why we don't use their KDE packages as a starting point? I know Kubuntu isn't an officially supported derevation anymore but it seems odd that we wouldn't take advantage of more of what their devs have done.

Re: Whats exacly the diffrence between Mint KDE and Kubuntu.

Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2012 5:51 am
by bugmenotprettyplz
Well it looks like mint KDE makes no sense at all. Looks liek almost no customization is done and if you want to have latest 12.04 software in it that you have to go with testing.

Nobody can tell me what the exact differences are, a moderator how has almost 6000 posts argues he is not a programmer, well yes but during 6000 posts nobody asked for this? Nobody answered this that he remembered? Thats very sad. Seems ppl don't care what they get and just install it without even knowing what is is.

I see this very few packages which consist of just re-branding/artwork and little stiff i don't know. I still have no list of the packages used in comparison to kubuntu. I can still add extra packages to kubuntu if i need more software so why install mint KDE?

I am also not sure what "not based on Kubuntu" actually means. Does this mean it's like using 95% of the packages that Kubuntu uses but has additional stuff to it and leaves out 5% of the packages used in kubuntu? Which end like it's basically the same.

Or is it really "build" new meaning the whole system integration stuff what ties KDE into ubuntu is done again in another way?

I repeat myself but i am still surprised is a bad meaning that Mint normal is on the top of the distrowatch list and still nobody can tell me what Mint KDE actually is.

Re: Whats exacly the diffrence between Mint KDE and Kubuntu.

Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2012 11:42 am
by exploder
Mint KDE is basically a more user friendly version of Kubuntu. The community has input on what applications are installed by default. Extra out of the box functionality such as print to pdf is built right into the system for example. Mint KDE often comes with a newer version of KDE than Kubuntu releases with. Multimedia playback is set up and ready to go in Mint KDE too and it is all tested.

There are not many Mint specific packages for the KDE releases because there really is not a lot of need for them with KDE. KDE releases are built with out of the box functionality in mind. You could add the things the Mint KDE release uses to Kubuntu but the Mint KDE releases save you a lot of time configuring everything.

KDE just does not require all of the customizing that the main editions require to be user friendly. Hope this answers your question.

Re: Whats exacly the diffrence between Mint KDE and Kubuntu.

Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2012 12:09 pm
by BostonPeng
Well said, exploder.
exploder wrote:Mint KDE is basically a more user friendly version of Kubuntu. The community has input on what applications are installed by default. Extra out of the box functionality such as print to pdf is built right into the system for example. Mint KDE often comes with a newer version of KDE than Kubuntu releases with. Multimedia playback is set up and ready to go in Mint KDE too and it is all tested.
This is the message we need to get out to the community. It may be the best argument for running Mint KDE I've ever heard.
exploder wrote:KDE just does not require all of the customizing that the main editions require to be user friendly.
And with this we have our tag line for marketing materials. 8)

Re: Whats exacly the diffrence between Mint KDE and Kubuntu.

Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 9:41 pm
by tprender
exploder wrote:Mint KDE is basically a more user friendly version of Kubuntu. The community has input on what applications are installed by default. Extra out of the box functionality such as print to pdf is built right into the system for example. Mint KDE often comes with a newer version of KDE than Kubuntu releases with. Multimedia playback is set up and ready to go in Mint KDE too and it is all tested.

There are not many Mint specific packages for the KDE releases because there really is not a lot of need for them with KDE. KDE releases are built with out of the box functionality in mind. You could add the things the Mint KDE release uses to Kubuntu but the Mint KDE releases save you a lot of time configuring everything.

KDE just does not require all of the customizing that the main editions require to be user friendly. Hope this answers your question.
Kubuntu has just updated to KDE 4.8.4, whereas Mint is still on 4.8.2!!

Re: Whats exacly the diffrence between Mint KDE and Kubuntu.

Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2012 7:44 am
by xenopeek
tprender wrote:Kubuntu has just updated to KDE 4.8.4, whereas Mint is still on 4.8.2!!
Kubuntu 12.04 probably? The current Linux Mint 12 KDE is based on Ubuntu 11.10, hence a bit older. And with Linux Mint 13 KDE and Xfce (based on Ubuntu 12.04) currently being tested for release candidate, I think all effort is going there :wink:

You can track progress of the ISO testing team here: http://community.linuxmint.com/iso

Re: Whats exacly the diffrence between Mint KDE and Kubuntu.

Posted: Sun Jul 15, 2012 3:40 pm
by kmb42vt
According to the release notes and as far as I know, Mint KDE is no longer based on Kubuntu. (it used to be). The current Maya/KDE RC is based on a combination of Ubuntu 12.04, the 3.2 kernel and (some but not all of) the KDE desktop packages that are available from the Ubuntu repositories (4.8.4 after applying updates) plus Mint's own modifications. The Mint KDE dev team puts it all together rather than attempting to modify the current Kubuntu to Mint's specifications. According to what I've read in the past, this was getting to be too difficult and painstaking to do and it became much easier for the Mint KDE devs to build their own "from scratch" as it were, basing it all on the latest Ubuntu binaries.

This is based upon my own experience with Mint and the research I've done though.

Re: Whats exacly the diffrence between Mint KDE and Kubuntu.

Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2012 5:23 pm
by BubbaBlues
And the number one reason for using Mint instead of kubuntu......
The forum. kubuntu's forum is full of pompus arrogant a$$es and the Mint forum isn't.

Re: Whats exacly the diffrence between Mint KDE and Kubuntu.

Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 8:10 pm
by spamazoid
well from the perspective of a person who doesn't really get KDE i can say Mint KDE is far more stable then Kubuntu or the new Netrunner, i've tried those and KDE bugs every session, so far not a single crash in Mint 13 KDE in 2 days, as for the other differences well looks and feels exactly the same to me, the only major difference other then the lack of annoying bugs i can see is the included desktop wallpapers and themes by default. Haven't checked all the packages so there maybe different software but i don't use so it's irrelevant to me.

Re: Whats exacly the diffrence between Mint KDE and Kubuntu.

Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2012 4:16 pm
by jlacroix82
I've used both Kubuntu and Mint KDE and can immediately tell the difference. This is going to come off as harsh, but I call it like I see it. First, I find Kubuntu to be a joke of a distribution. It's merely Ubuntu-minimal with KDE and some default applications thrown on top. Kubuntu contains little to no polish whatsoever. Almost everything is stock KDE. Feel free to disagree with me on this, but Kubuntu hasn't impressed me since 2007. I will admit that I'm sure Kubuntu developers contribute quite a bit behind the scenes, but there's barely anything you'd notice on the exterior. I can recreate Kubuntu within Arch Linux with minimal effort.

Mint KDE on the other-hand is everything Kubuntu should be. It has much more polish, and takes the user experience seriously. It may not be the most beautiful looking OS on the planet, but you can easily tell from looking at it that careful attention was paid to the user experience in every corner, like they actually cared, rather than just throwing KDE packages on top of Ubuntu-minimal and slapping the name "Kubuntu" on it.

The only reason Mint KDE is not my main distro is solely because it doesn't have a rolling-application base. (Not talking about the kernel or Ubuntu bits).

Besides, while I can understand being frustrated if you can't find the info, how hard is it to download the ISO and find out for yourself what sets it apart?

Re: Whats exacly the diffrence between Mint KDE and Kubuntu.

Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2012 4:36 pm
by BostonPeng
jlacroix82 wrote:The only reason Mint KDE is not my main distro is solely because it doesn't have a rolling-application base. (Not talking about the kernel or Ubuntu bits).
Have you considered checking out LMDE + KDE? It's what I run, plus Debian testing repos, and I'm very happy with it. And for an even sweeter KDE respin you can check out Schoelje's unofficial LMDE KDE ISO. The only reason I haven't rebuilt my laptop with it is because I've only recently put a lot of time and effort in rebuilding my laptop (never put earbuds on a laptop's keyboard if there's any chance you'll close the lid, unless you feel like replacing the LCD) and I don't feel like a nuke and pave to get his respin installed at this point. But it would probably make my laptop run even better without all the Cinnamon cruft my laptop has now.

Re: Whats exacly the diffrence between Mint KDE and Kubuntu.

Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 8:42 am
by jlacroix82
BostonPeng wrote:
jlacroix82 wrote:The only reason Mint KDE is not my main distro is solely because it doesn't have a rolling-application base. (Not talking about the kernel or Ubuntu bits).
Have you considered checking out LMDE + KDE? It's what I run, plus Debian testing repos, and I'm very happy with it. And for an even sweeter KDE respin you can check out Schoelje's unofficial LMDE KDE ISO. The only reason I haven't rebuilt my laptop with it is because I've only recently put a lot of time and effort in rebuilding my laptop (never put earbuds on a laptop's keyboard if there's any chance you'll close the lid, unless you feel like replacing the LCD) and I don't feel like a nuke and pave to get his respin installed at this point. But it would probably make my laptop run even better without all the Cinnamon cruft my laptop has now.
While I respect Debian quite a bit, I have not been able to get along with it. From what I remember about Debian, you either choose stable (and everything is horribly old and out of date) testing (everything is kind of up to date) or unstable (everything is current but very unreliable). For those reasons I've never been able to use it. As far as the Debian edition of Linux Mint, I do enjoy it, but I'm not sure how up to date or reliable it is. When I refer to being current, I'm mainly referring to the application bits (Firefox, KDE, Libre Office, etc) and note the core of the distribution (kernel, etc). I could care less if the kernel is up to date as long as it works. However, I prefer to have the latest browser and desktop environment at all times. I feel that a balance between a stable core and current applications is my preference.

When it comes to installing KDE on top of LMDE, the problem is it's full of GTK stuff and dependencies, which unfortunately don't play nice with KDE. Mixing too many components is never a good idea. I can understand mixing things like a browser (since KDE has none that is full featured) and LibreOffice (KDE's isn't "there" yet) and a few other small applications, but having a GNOME or XFCE environment attached makes for a bloated system.

Linux Mint KDE I love very much, because with a bit of hacking I can get the latest apps on top of a distribution that is very well thought out. If only it had a rolling application-only repository, then it would be perfect!

Re: Whats exacly the diffrence between Mint KDE and Kubuntu.

Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 12:30 pm
by BostonPeng
I know what you mean about the mix of dependencies. I still have yet to get Firefox to fully realize it's running on a KDE box. I finally got it to use Dolphin as the file manager but I can't seem to get it to use VLC for playing mp4s. It's funny because I can launch VLC to watch downloaded mp4s without a problem but Firefox insists on using Movie Player for some dumb reason. And that's just the annoyances I can think of off the top of my head on a very busy late Tuesday morning.