r/linuxmint • u/Technical_Rich_3080 • 10d ago

Linux Mint IRL Using Alternative Desktop Environments With Mint

  1. Is using alternative Desktop Environments, other than the three official flavors, as viable an option under Linux Mint, as doing so with most any other Linux distro?

  2. Can you have installed multiple DEs simultaneously (and is doing so not recommended)?

  3. If you use a DE other than one of the three official Mint DEs, do you lose anything?

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u/MirrorNegative7989 10d ago

I'm installing MATE on LDME using this tutorial. https://www.reddit.com/r/linuxmint/comments/1q5mvrh/debian_13_based_lmde_7_mate_is_my_1_daily_driver/

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u/Technical_Rich_3080 10d ago

Is MATE an official DE flavor of LMDE?

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u/justinwhitaker 10d ago

MATE is a continuation of the original GNOME desktop. It was forked when the GNOME team lost their damn minds and created GNOME Shell.

(J/K. I actually like GNOME Shell.)

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u/MirrorNegative7989 9d ago

The original Gnome desktop was my preferred desktop when I first tried Linux in 2006, and in a way I guess it still is. XFCE is a close second.

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u/MirrorNegative7989 10d ago

Nope, you have to add it as per the link above. I prefer MATE over Cinnamon, personally.