Thank You

I have started to write, and stopped, two long posts about the differences between Desktop Environment and distribution. Instead let me post a couple of Wikipedia links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desktop_environment
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_distribution
Most distributions have a default desktop environment but that is easily changed.
Something like GIMP is available for all distributions, and is packaged by each one so you may find that some distributions have an older version than others but all should have it (you can get GIMP for Windows and I think for OSX also).

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The one website says Mint comes with GNOME and MATE-

http://cyruslab.wordpress.com/2012/0...linux-mint-12/

And the other Linux Mint website says it's codename is Lisa; Ubuntu Oneiric and that it is supported till April of 2013

http://www.linuxmint.com/oldreleases.php

I'll keep trying to find out more because at this point it's a little confusing and I can not have confustion during the install. This is the first time I'll be learning and preparing at the same time.

Linux Mint is based upon Ubuntu so on their release page they give the name that they call the release "Lisa" and the name of the Ubuntu version it is based upon "Ubuntu Oneiric".
Version 12, which they codename "Lisa" and this is supported until April 2013 - -that means they will continue to release bugfixes and possibly some other features until then.
By the looks of things version 13 "Maya" is the latest version, and the one you ought to be downloading, not least because it is supported until 2017.
See my previous post about desktop environments -- as far as I know Mint includes all the major desktop environments including Gnome, KDE and XFCE (amongst others).

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Linux Mint Debian Edition is the obvious distro!

SoulOS and Siduction are options as well.

Debian can be a pain in the ass in terms of getting it to work for you the way ubuntu does, but that can be a rewarding process for the DIY type and it's just a lean fast distro!

Mint is not the nightmare some posters are making it out to be. It's basically ubuntu except it is green, has some nice codecs and apps instlled, hijacks your searches with adsense (tho there is an easy work around) has some different DE options and offers some customization in terms of menus and apps. But if you're having a problem with Ubuntu its likely that you'll have the same with Mint.

I'd start by giving LMDE a shot and, if you're not pleased, then you can experiment.

How? Other than a few minor things, like having to read how to set up multiple languages and needing to manually add users to the su group, Debian is no more difficult to configure than most other systems. In many ways, it is easier to set up, because everything works without needing to be configured.

@Ztcoracat
One thing drawkcab wrote that I agree with is if you have "trouble with Ubuntu in various area's," whatever those are, then you would probably also have those difficulties with Ubuntu derivatives. Unless you mean Unity, which is an Ubuntu only monstrosity. Thank the Heavens.

I checked Mint's down-load page. I see why you are confused. It is not very clear about DEs. Mate edition and Cinnamon edition. I saw no idication of where KDE, Gnome, XFCE and LXDE are. My advice is; It is probably best to stay away from a distro that does not provide a clear list of the various ISOs that are available. Who knows what else is buggy.*

*Disclaimer
My opinion is highly biased.

Two other options are Saline and Salix.
Saline is a pre-configured Debian and Salix is a pre-configured Slackware. Both are intended to be newbie-friendly.

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I think you missed the 'the way ubuntu does...'bit. Just setting up sudo has driven more than a few people back to *buntu from debian.

I agree in general, debian isnt any more difficult than most other distros. But my opinion is probably highly biased as well.

The d/l pages for mint arent that bad, and IMO the DEs are listed just fine. Its just that the newest Mint 13 'Maya' version doesnt have the KDE and LXDE editions out yet. If you check the d/l pages for older versions, you will see LXDE and KDE DEs for most Mint versions. BTW, AFAIK there hasnt been a Xfce mint version since Mint 9 'Isadora'.

Mint has always taken longer to get the non-gnome versions out. With the large number of x-bunties have moved over to Mint just to get MATE or Cinnamon I believe that if anything the KDE and LXDE versions will take even longer to get out now than in the past.

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Thanks for the clarification. I only checked 13, because I made the "mistake" of only looking at the newest release. I was curious for the OP's sake, not mine.

FWIW, I would suggest going with Mint Debian edition. The reason I like Mint is that you don't have to mess around to get stuff like Flash, MP3 playback, all those other "nonfree" codecs, it just works. While if you want to do something more server-oriented then it might not be for you but as a capable desktop machine it's IMO without peer.

To be honest, I've never tried to add a desktop launcher because I hate having icons on my desktop, I prefer everything to be in a menu where it belongs. I've always found Mint very easy to use though, whether or not you want to play with the terminal.

I'm a bit late for this party, but I thought I'd have my say!

1. The Debian edition of Mint is based on Debian Testing, not Debian Stable. That is a rolling release: no versions, just constant updates. That means you never have to re-install, but in theory you may get the occasional new version of a program that's not so good. In practice, there should be no problems.

2. It's best to get a distro with its default desktop. In other words, Mint with Mate or Cinnamon, Solus with Gnome, Mepis with KDE, Saline with Xfce (all in the Debian family). That way, you're getting the version that has the most users and so gets the most attention given to it.

3. Gimp is available for every distro.

4. Forums are very variable: the Debian one is rather unfriendly, the Ubuntu one has too many people with questions and not enough with answers. But that doesn't matter when you have us!

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The amount of replies that all of you have given are exemplary....Thank You

Until I was enlightened I hadn't realized that there are programs ie) Flash and the Moonlight plugin for Firefox to work with Mint. After much thought and debate I have decided to give Linux Mint 12 KDE a try.

At present the Mint Iso File is on my Ubuntu desktop. I have watched a few video on how to burn this onto a cd or dvd. However; a few things still are not clear to me and am hesitant to proceed with the burn process.

I have only the smaller size dvd's and do not know if this will accommodate my need.

Should I purchase the regular size dvd's?

And is it safe to assume that I would use Brasero for the burn process? Do I need to use " sudo apt-get" in the terminal for Brasero to get this process flowing?

Brasero will burn the disk for you. You don't have to use any special commands to obtain the *.iso or start Brasero.

When you burn your CD/DVD, be sure to use the "burn image" tool, not the "burn data disk" tool to burn the *.iso file as a replica of the installation CD. If you don't use "burn image," all you'll do is copy the *.iso file to disk, rather than recreate the file structure of the installation disk.

Also, go with Debian.

It is rock-solid stable, but not bleeding edge. That is, bleeding edge versions of programs do not come with Debian stable and are not supported in the package management system; proven stable versions (including the GIMP) are supported.

With that proviso, it will run any Linux program you want to run.

I have used Debian off and on for several years and it is my other favorite distribution after Slackware. I use on the computer on which I type this post.

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I have ran Fedora, Ubuntu, Debian, and currently Linux Mint on the computer I'm posting from, plus getting Gentoo on another 2 computers (one being my primary Desktop and the other being my Network server).

My skill lever is still as I consider, Beginner.

I found that Debian was great, as far as, user friendly right out of the box. The problem came when I wanted to explore allot of the apps that are out there while trying to learn and figure out what I wanted. If it wasn't already in the repository, I was completely lost.

Fedora was good as well, to a point, not quite as user friendly and the same draw backs.

Ubuntu was a nightmare from the word go.

Linux Mint was just a fluke when I started using it. It has it's moments but for things I currently use, while trying to get my roommate to convert to Linux as well, it has been good.
Linux Mint has several apps that I use right from the start. Using the Software Manager, I've been able to install things like pcsx (pcsx-r) to start playing my older psx games again.

I did try Ciniminum(I misspelled) flavor of Linux Mint as a live DVD but it wouldn't run on my hardware.

Just figure out what it is you want, what you are able to do (based on skill), and then see what fits. That's what I've been doing. I decided that LFS or Gentoo was my best bet due to things that need fine tunning for what I will be doing. Alittle bit advanced for my skill but none of the other distros realy fit my needs when it comes to my hardware and the resource intesive apps I'm using.

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Until you wrote of Saline and Salix I didn't know that they even existed.
It's always a benefit to learn more as I go thru the process of debate with which disro to install and use everyday.
Thank You

What I want and my skill are most certainly 2 different things.

I only have Ubuntu experience so going to Mint might just be my best bet; however; Debian as I've been advised is far more stable. In my case stability is essential.

I'm finding great advise and support but it's the decision that I seem to be struggling with.

At this point I plan to burn the Iso of Mint 12 KDE to a dvd and just observe and investigate. And, do the same with Debian.