14 DAY TRIAL // Linux Mint developers will probably switch the Debian edition of their distribution to a stable base, just like they did with the regular versions, which are now only using Ubuntu LTS.
Starting with Linux Mint 17, only the Ubuntu LTS edition will be used for the base of the distribution. This will help the developer concentrate more on the big editions and push updates for the current version at a more brisk pace.
The Linux Mint project also has a couple of flavors that are using Debian instead of Ubuntu, and Clement Lefebvre, the leader of the project, says that they might switch to another base as well, one that provides a little bit more stability.
“This new strategy is already very successful and not only will it make it easier for us to release 17.1 and allow us to focus more on the development side of things, it already benefited the 17 release greatly. The same strategy could be applied to LMDE by basing it on Debian Stable, essentially migrating it from a snapshot cycle to a frozen one, like in Linux Mint. The two distributions would then be more similar to each others. LMDE would gain in quality and attention to detail while requiring less maintenance,” said Clement Lefebvre.
Only the regular Linux Mint flavors were launched with the new 17.x branch. The Debian versions haven't arrived yet, but it shouldn't be too long before they make an appearance.