Linux Mint signed a new partnership with Mozilla. After the partnership, Firefox will continue to be distributed as .deb packages with the official repositories. Firefox’s configuration and the way it is built will be changed to make the Linux Mint version of Firefox, similar to the Mozilla distributed version.
What is changed
Linux Mint was using its own Firefox default settings and configurations. With the partnership, most of this configuration changed to Mozilla’s defaults, such as:
- The default start page no longer points to https://www.linuxmint.com/start/
- The default search engines no longer include Linux Mint search partners (Yahoo, DuckDuckGo, etc.) but Mozilla search partners (Google, Amazon, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Ebay, etc.)
- The default configuration switches from Mint defaults to Mozilla defaults.
- Firefox no longer includes code changes or patches from Linux Mint, Debian, or Ubuntu.
The changes will not affect the users’ settings but can have an impact on user experience.
Firefox will offer the same experience in Linux Mint as it does in any other operating system. The team aims to simplify maintenance, development, and bug fixing. Before the partnership, Linux Mint was building Firefox using Ubuntu’s packaging, which will be discontinued as Ubuntu changes to snap. Now Linux Mint will package the Mozilla version of Firefox instead.
The Linux Mint team also stated that it is both a commercial and a technical partnership. It will also make it easier for Linux Mint to communicate and work with Mozilla. In Linux Mint 19.x, 20.x and LMDE, the transition is taking place with Firefox version 96, and it is planned for January 11th or 12th. In Linux Mint 20.3 the transition took place during the BETA with Firefox version 95. The Linux Mint team also stated that changes may impact the user experience; however, it will not change the users’ settings.
FAQ
What is the latest version of Linux Mint?
The latest version of Linux Mint is Linux Mint 21.1 "Vera" and it was released on 20 December 2022. The next version, Linux Mint 21.2 "Victoria" is planned to be released at the end of June 2023.
Is Linux Mint free?
Yes, Linux Mint is a completely free and open-source operating system, which means that it is available for anyone to use, modify and distribute without any cost.
Is Linux Mint lightweight?
Linux Mint is considered a lightweight operating system compared to other Linux distributions that are designed for enterprise use. It is designed to be user-friendly and provides a balance between performance and functionality.
Is Linux Mint good for old computers?
Linux Mint is a good option for users who have older computers and want a lightweight, stable, and secure system that can run smoothly on their hardware. Linux Mint provides two different desktop environments, Cinnamon and MATE, both of which are lightweight and can run smoothly on older hardware. Additionally, Linux Mint's Software Manager allows users to easily install and remove software, which means that users can choose to run only the software they need, and avoid running software that can slow down their system.
Can Linux Mint be installed on a virtual machine?
Yes, Linux Mint can be installed on a virtual machine. A virtual machine (VM) allows you to run an operating system within another operating system. This means that you can install Linux Mint on a virtual machine and run it on top of your current operating system, without the need to replace it or partition your hard drive. To install Linux Mint on VMWare, you can refer to our article: How to install a Linux Distro on VMware Workstation
Can I run Linux Mint on a USB stick?
Yes, you can run Linux Mint on a USB stick. You can create a live USB drive with Linux Mint, which allows you to boot the operating system from the USB stick and run it on any computer that supports booting from a USB drive. This is also known as a "Live USB" or "Live USB drive". It's worth noting that running Linux Mint from a USB drive can be slower than running it from a hard drive, and also the changes you make to the system while running it from USB will not be saved when you shut down the system unless you use a persistent mode.
Is Linux Mint still supported?
Linux Mint is still actively supported and developed and has a strong community that continues to work on improving the distribution and providing support to its users.