Fusion Linux vs Linux Mint
Fusion Linux and Linux Mint are Linux distributions based on Fedora and Ubuntu, respectively. They are available at no cost, and are built primarily from free (libre) software.
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[edit] Open Source Compatibility
Fusion Linux and Linux Mint use the GNOME desktop environment by default. This is the most popular desktop environment for Linux and provides superb compatibility with the latest and greatest desktop software. Each of the distributions also uses Fedora or Ubuntu as its base -- again, the vast majority of open source web-server and desktop software works with Fedora and Ubuntu so compatibility with open source software is excellent.
[edit] Proprietary Software Compatibility
Both distributions include proprietary software for MP3 playback and Flash content, as well as compatibility with certain wireless internet cards. This differentiates them from Ubuntu and Fedora. Including proprietary software in this way makes both distributions less compatible with the "free software" philosophy, because the source code of parts of these distributions is not freely modifiable.
The distributions are not compatible with most software designed for Windows.
[edit] Package Repositories
Fusion Linux uses the Fedora repositories and is compatible with the .rpm package format. Linux Mint uses Debian / Ubuntu repositories (depending on the edition) and is compatible with the .deb package format. This means a very similar experience for the end user, although the specific commands to be typed on the command line are different.
[edit] Popularity
Linux Mint is the second most popular Linux distribution, while Fusion Linux is a less well-established project. Linux Mint comes out about a month after the Ubuntu edition on which it is based, while Fusion Linux does not have the infrastructure in place to put out a release as quickly. Therefore, overall, Linux Mint is able to use more up-to-date software and provide better support from its own community and the Ubuntu Community.
[edit] Download Size
Fusion Linux is about twice the size, at approximately 1.7GB.
