Linux Mint to Discontinue All Editions After Striking Deal with Mattel and Microsoft

Article by George Norman (Cybersecurity Editor)

on 01 Apr 2010

Lead Linux Mint Developer Clem Lefebvre announced that all editions of the Linux Mint operating system will be discontinued. Don’t worry, the Linux Mint team will not be out of a job. All editions of Linux Mint will be discontinued because Linux Mint entered a deal with the world's largest toy company Mattel and Redmond-based software giant Microsoft.

As part of the deal, all Linux Mint editions will be discontinued and replaced with
- a “Masters of the Universe Edition” for boys.
- a “Barbie Edition” for girls.
- for small and medium companies there will be a generic “Microsoft Professional Edition.”

“We are happy to announce that Linux Mint entered in a joined partnership with Mattel and Microsoft. This partnership will result in Linux Mint being pre-installed on a new range of computers sold throughout the World and in a number of toys and games distributors. On behalf of the team, I would like to say that I’m very excited about this. I have no doubt the community will be overjoyed by the news and I can’t wait for you all to finally see Linux Mint near you, in a retail store,” commented Clem Lefebvre.

Besides the changes mentioned above, the Mattel-Microsoft-Linux-Mint partnership will bring about some other changes to Linux Mint’s distribution. I’ve selected the more important ones:
  • - An emulation of Internet Explorer will become the default browser.
  • - All editions are fully compatible with the Microsoft Office productivity suite. Office does not come preinstalled though.
  • - Linux Mint will no longer be available for download. It will be available for purchase on one of the new computers though.
  • - The system will protect users against central software sources, such as the getdeb website, APT repositories and the download of .deb formatted files.
  • - A new software manager with all the latest offerings from Microsoft will replace APT and the .deb compatibility. Users will be able to pay online for DLC without having to go to the shop to buy their favorite software.



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