this post was submitted on 24 Sep 2026
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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
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Doesn't Mint just configures Cinnamon as default DE and leaves the rest alone, working from the stable branch? That's my understanding.
I also run Debian. One desktop and three laptops. I run Mate, normally. The best compromise between useability and DE resource use. But I've used XFCE and LXDE.
You do you but...
god I hate Mate. The fucking config preferences never worked properly across "profiles/saves/whatever" for me.
I like LXQT most. I tried out basically every DE under the sun in a VM (and KDE and Gnome on bare metal. Gnome as part of Nyarch to rescue my wife's old tower and to see wtf it was like. It crashed and fucked up. Not sure if it was due to Ny or arch, but obv not a good fit)
Yes, even Sugar. Please do not try Sugar.
I worked with seriously hardware constricted machines for years and users on a learning curve.
KDE did not make my fancy when I tried it, when first moving from Windows, 20 years ago. Not then, not now. I know it has evolved a great deal but I can't justify commiting so much hardware resources for the DE alone. And the obcession with the K's are a bit of a pet peeve. I'm aware I'm getting some packages from it now and then and I have to eventually try it again but tomorrow is not the eve of such day.
I used Gnome until Gnome ceased to be Gnome and reinvented itself under that smartphone aspect. Mate forked and maintained that simple approachable look and feel.
XFCE is good but I missed the dual panel on the file explorer and eventually moved from it. It also tended to force me to mannually configure sound settings, keyboard hotkeys and other small things that otherwise were readily available.
I spent some time with Bunsen Labs installed on a machine and I enjoyed the look and feel. Conky was the jewel for me. But I had other users on that machine that didn't adapt.
A short stint on Enlightenment. Not my cup of tea. Deepin was a disappointment. And I couldn't motivate myself to manually configure a tile manager. I want a computer, not another hobby.
I used LXQT for some time but I felt it lacking. Very light and very fast but... Cinnamon is a nope for me, personally, but I have set it up for others and people enjoyed it, even more when coming from Windows.
But isn't this the beauty of Linux? There is an option for everyone. Like you very well put it: you do you.
Yep. I fucking hate current gnome but I'm glad it exists for someone who is into it, and that they are marching to the beat of their own drum. I just don't want to hear it. I literally made a post on this.
I am curious to find out more about Bunsen Labs.
It's very worth the try.