An Introduction to open source Linux Mint

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Linux Mint is a popular, user-friendly, and powerful computer operating system. At its core, it is a free and open-source software (FOSS) built on the solid foundation of two other major projects: Ubuntu and, by extension, Debian.

The term “open source” is fundamental to understanding Mint. It means that the underlying source code of the entire operating system is freely available for anyone to view, modify, and distribute. This fosters a collaborative development model where a global community of developers and users contribute to its improvement, security, and feature set.

Linux Mint was first released in 2006 by its founder, Clement Lefebvre, with a primary goal: to create a desktop operating system that was both elegant and easy to use right out of the box. It is renowned for providing a complete, turn-key experience, pre-loaded with essential software like a web browser (Firefox), office suite (LibreOffice), media players, and more, so users can start being productive immediately.

One of Mint’s defining characteristics is its choice of desktop environments. The most popular edition uses the Cinnamon desktop, which Mint develops itself. Cinnamon offers a modern and visually appealing interface that will feel familiar to users migrating from Windows, with a traditional start menu, taskbar, and system tray. Other official editions feature the MATE and Xfce desktop environments, which are known for being lightweight and efficient, perfect for older or less powerful hardware.

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