[pessimizer]

Mint is preconfigured Ubuntu that avoids a few user-hostile choices. Techies talking about choosing a Linux seem to careen between Ubuntu/Mint dead-simple consumer stuff and then the other way to Arch, when they decide that they're too expert for Ubuntu (then to Macs, after they have one very rough day with Arch.) Debian is nice, and simple. Takes a little bit of configuring to taste, but configuring the next Debian how you like isn't going to be much different that configuring the last Debian how you liked. Keep a text file that reminds you of any weird config changes you make and why.

It also upgrades in place nicely. Excellent distro for Ubuntu and Mint to base themselves in.

[asddubs]

last i checked, mint (unlike LMDE) just expects you to do major version upgrades by reinstalling, which is pretty annoying.