Ubuntu stopped being the lightweight Linux distro, and Linux Mint filled the gap it left behind

I don’t recall Ubuntu being a lightweight distro or ever aiming to be. It was always Debian with more stuff.

yep, user friendly, easy install, gooey install, proprietary drivers; extra stuff.

i think they were aiming to loss lead, capture user base and ultimately get some b2b sales - oh well :(
OP author even ignores stuff like Lubuntu and Xubuntu, which i assume canonical have at least some contribution to.
OP gets downvote from me, worthless article.