I actually feel the same way about not going back to Mint even though I started with Mint Cinnamon and switched quickly to Mint MATE which I used for 6-7 years until autumn of 2024 when I finally decided to try Ubuntu MATE which to me just integrates what I need much better and is way more polished for the MATE part of things (my main concern).
As for what Mint team could do for Ubuntu MATE or MATE in general - well I wouldn't underestimate the sheer digital media power that Mint as a distribution has since it is mainly streamlined as the best starting Linux OS for converts from Windows - here and there people mention Ubuntu base but Mint rules the forums of reddit/youtube scene which is a force to acknowledge. That force alone could revitalize the focus of MATE desktop and by proxy Ubuntu MATE as a reliable/viable option in the sea of new beginners.
I will start from myself - when I started my Linux journey I was recommended Mint by my best friend and I just didn't question it for the first full year, I didn't even know there are many other Desktop Environments let alone other distributions that would be easy to use as a total beginner way back then. I knew I didn't want Ubuntu since I didn't like how it looks like but for me back then in my mind Ubuntu was just Ubuntu because it was overwhelming enough to learn what "Debian-based" is versus "Ubuntu-based" when I recall the first few months.
I think that we need to somehow rejuvenate the idea of Ubuntu MATE as a stable, viable option to today's audience as I think there are plenty of users who simply don't hear about this gem of a distribution/flavour until much later down the Linux journey
I agree about how "stuck in the past " has a bad connotation - in my opinion word "Vintage" would suit the situation better - but then again - we all must be aware that most people don't like "vintage" nor "evergreen" anymore since the mainstream keeps pushing "new" and "shiny" shells out every so often and people seem like things are "dead" if they aren't mentioned 24/7
What I think we should do is we should find ways to reignite the passion for "evergreen" desktop environments such as MATE is since I feel there is a large marketplace of people that would like the "classic" desktop experience but they don't know this option exists because it isn't propagated as much by the people from the general Linux community and we ourselves are not that pushy on others as I feel that this DE draws in people that like quiet and sturdy environments
I agree on "vintage" part - but for me personally "timeless" isn't positive since "timeless" to me seems like an Utopia - an island isolated from "real" world wants and problems, an idyllic picture from afar at best - but i digress into philosophical ideas haha
How can it be the best of newbie questions go unanswered? Just because a lot of Linux writers say it is the best does not mean it is the best. Best is a very subjective term. I think in Desktops and forums as the better OS's for new users. Ubuntu Mate for XP and Win7 users. Win8 users Gnome 3 or even Unity. For Win10 and 11 lovers I would recommend Zorin's modified Gnome 3 desktop. KDE is to bloated for a new users and Xfce to foreign. I don't know about Budgie because I gave up on Ikey after he shutdown two OS's overnight. I have heard it is real good, and know Ikey is a great developer, but his personal problems seem to get in his way. I know he is no longer associated, but I was burnt twice on Solus and steer clear.
Best forums for new users seem to be Ubuntu Mate and Zorin for new users. Best to avoid Debian for sure and I have heard PC Linux too, but can't say for sure.
And I completely agree and knowing that it is not in fact the best newbie distro as some people of a large influence claim to be should be our nudge/push or whatever to engage more in the discourse of Mint and share our knowledge with them in exchange for the spotlight they enjoy as I think it could be very much to mutual benefit since I for the most part do believe that our primary goal as Linux users should be to help others find a solid ground to stand on and make first "baby steps" towards understanding the wast opportunities and options Linux offers as I do believe that there may be a lot of the users that will in turn find UM as the proffered choice and I speak from my own experience since that was the case for me
We should see the opportunity that unanswered questions on Mint forum pose and do share our knowledge and in turn also mention UM as a possibility that may indeed prove to be a better choice for some and I don't mean in a way like "poaching" away the user-base but in a way that is: "you can solve these issues and by the way if you feel like MATE is your preferred DE check out UM as it has some nifty options you might fancy as well"
Because believe me, when you do get answers in Mint forums it is most often by people that use Cinnamon, sometimes Xfce but very very rarely MATE options even though it is one of the three supported DE's - there are many topics in the last 3-4 years that have propositions to "keep Mint focused on Cinnamon and ditch MATE" which sounded bizarre to me back then as they do today and as Mint is also involved in development of MATE maybe the joining of the forces could help in managing the rocky times in these migrations to Wayland and similar stuff in the near future
