You have to realize, I'm using Linux to run tools. Therefore, it all depends on what release those tools work under.
What I'm finding that the ONLY way I can manage this is to maintain different virtual machines with the EXACT version and release of Linux that these tools were created with.
I'm sure Mint is great, running stand-alone, running the apps it comes with. But that isn't the situation technical professionals find themselves in.
True, as with all things, mileage may vary depending on your needs.
And that is the problem with Linux on the desktop. You can’t easily take a program that works on Linux and run it on all versions of Linux like you can on OSX and Windows.