Linux Mint downloads (briefly) compromised

Linux Mint downloads (briefly) compromised

If Ubuntu is a distribution, and Linux Mint took it, added their packages, and re-distributed it under their own branding, how is Linux Mint *not* a distribution?

Well, that was perhaps harshly put, but isn't there a difference between redistribution and forking? If you don't even re-build the packages you're just redistributing. From the comments here it seems like the Mint people generally do more of the latter than the former.

Again, I think you're underestimating how far Linux Mint has diverged since their fork. There are many more differences between Linux Mint & Ubuntu or Debian than just the installer & desktop environment

I probably am. I really don't understand why they created a distribution (pseudo- or not) around their desktop environment. It seems like a strange decision from the outside, as they clearly don't have enough resources for even the most basic distribution work, such as keeping track of security issues.

What is it that Linux Mint does differently than Ubuntu or Debian? What were the reasons behind this decision? Again, I don't want to criticize anyone's hobby, but there is a limit when end users at put at risk.