Mint without the Linux?

[Guest]

Clem,

I don't remember if this topic was discussed yet or not.

It's about the distro name.

I was thinking that you should drop the Linux part of the name. I think that the Linux part may scare some new users. As windows is not DOS Windows, and the Mac is not Unix Leopard, I think that Mint should do the same.

From the user point of view who cares what is the code base of the OS? They just want a usable and nice experience.

I think that Ubuntu at some point have got a good recognition as a "brand" without the Linux part attached.

I'm sure that this distro si mature enough to be considered just Mint or MintX or whatever, but drop the "scary" part.

It was just a though.


elbeto

[Husse]

It has been discussed (don't ask me for a link - I have at least some memory left ) and Linux Mint is the name....

[clem]

There are pros and cons on both sides of the debate. Mint is a lot of thing, Linux Mint uniquely identifies our project. I also disagree with the statement that "Linux" is scary, IMHO it sounds good to people who know about it and raises curiosity to others. As for Windows, ok it's not DOS Windows, but "Microsoft" Windows... so how about that for a scary part?!

Clem

[exploder]

I like "LinuxMint", it just plain has a good sound to it.

[ed@Mint]

Another fact is that "Mint" without linux might be an existing registered brand.
In Belgium, for instance, there is a radio which is called Mint...

/me loves listening to Mint on Linux Mint

[JAK]

I have to say from the time I start using Mint I've had this little wondering on my mind how a Linux flavor of Irish origin is called Mint and not Clover. or Lucky Linux How about Leprechaun Linux?
.

[McLovin]

Them f**kin' kids, they're always stealing my LinuxMint

[Husse]

Them f**kin' kids, they're always stealing my LinuxMint

Ah - so that's why you're so heavily armed....

[Guest]

Interesting enought, today I saw a couple of blogs talking about the efect of the Ubuntu name in the Linux community and for new users accostued to have or M$ or Apple and that's it.

That was exactly the intention of my original post. To argue that argument.

elbeto

[Zwopper]

The only other alternative from my horizon would be "MintOS", "Mint OS" or "OS Mint"...
I this case my vote would go to "MintOS"!

[Fred]

For me Linux denotes "solid," "reliable." Both desirable qualities.

Must just be a difference in perspectives.

Fred

[McLovin]

I agree that to me Linux does bring an air of solid and reliable, but alot of us know Linux, know what Linux is all about. Someone who has never heard of Linux, or who has heard of Linux from even a few years ago, will think "major technological knowledge needed" or "Everything has to be done in a command line" as these are the the way things were not too long ago, but things have changes, and someone who only knows about Linux from before, will still have those ideas in their head. Now I'm not saying that Clem should change the name of Linux Mint, but I can see how someone could be scared off simply by the word "Linux"

[Cambo105]

I am vehemently opposed to calling it MintOS, its just to close to Mac OS....

[ed@Mint]

I think a non-linux user wouldn't give another OS a try blindfully, unless someone shows him that OS.
So, in the case of Linux Mint, if somebody shows him, and he agrees it is indeed easier to use, then be "Linux" in the name or not won't change anything.
Just my thought...

Anyway, no offense, but i don't really see the point of this debate... I think Linux Mint won't change names

[MagnusB]

Removing Linux from the name wouldn't change that Mint is a part of the Linux family, "hiding" that just doesn't make any sense to me..

[foggytown]

I can see both sides of this argument.

There is online financial software named Mint and also Mint web stats. If you search google for "mint", LinuxMint is over half way down the first page of results.
So from a purely branding perspective, LinuxMint seems like the way to go.

LinuxMint is a great name, especially if you think about alternative meanings for the word mint--think mint as in mint condition...

just my nickel's worth...
--john

[cmost]

Clem,

I don't remember if this topic was discussed yet or not.

It's about the distro name.

I was thinking that you should drop the Linux part of the name. I think that the Linux part may scare some new users. As windows is not DOS Windows, and the Mac is not Unix Leopard, I think that Mint should do the same.

From the user point of view who cares what is the code base of the OS? They just want a usable and nice experience.

I think that Ubuntu at some point have got a good recognition as a "brand" without the Linux part attached.

I'm sure that this distro si mature enough to be considered just Mint or MintX or whatever, but drop the "scary" part.

It was just a though.


elbeto

Not this again!!! No!

[sundayrefugee]

Why would MS name it DOS Windows? Wouldn't it be more accurate, not to mention less scary, nowadays, to call it NT Windows?

But - to the point. If a user isn't *fully* ready for Linux, they aren't *fully* ready for Mint, and shouldn't try it. Mint *IS* Linux. Any shady sort of label trickery is contemptible at best, and Mint, I'm sure, doesn't want the reputation as the distro that "fools" unwary users into installing it

A potential user is going to do themselves, and F/OSS, much bigger favors in the long-term by doing at least a simple googling and finding that Linux is simply nothing to be scared of (unlike, say, 10 years ago, when it *was* something to be afraid of running...), and finding out the *Linux Mint* takes that a step further in the positive.

A user should know full well that they are diving into Linux, or not bother.

My 2.3 cents, adjusted for labor

[elbeto]

Don''t worry, not a big deal, was just a comment. Anyway I'm still converting ex-windows people to Linux mint.

[SpudGun]

Linux Mint is a great name, if any name needs to change its UBUNTU, WHAT A STUPID NAME THAT IS, thats why i cant use it,
you cant show anyone what you use, cos they just fall about laughing, but Linux Mint is cool.