software packages difference: ubuntu and mint

[otlichnik73]

Hi there! I am new to Linux generally, have been using Linux Mint for over a year, after switching from Windows. Now I am playing around with Ubuntu 18 (as a VM), considering installing that on my next machine.
This is a very basic question regarding the subject of software sources, which I probably don't really understand.
Noticed that when I searched for software, I can't find some packages on Ubuntu. I tried changing Ubuntu source to same as my Mint (http.//archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu) which shows under "mirrors" "base (xenial)" in Mint "software sources".
I wanted to install "ubuntu-restricted-extras" in Ubuntu as I did in Mint. When I search for "ubuntu-restr.." in Mint software manager, it shows the package, but in Ubuntu software manager it does not. I installed in via command line in Ubuntu (sudo apt-get ubuntu-restricted-extras), seemed to work.
But why does it not show up in software manager? Generally, I noticed that Ubuntu manager seems to give you less options than Mint?
Thanks!

[monkeybrain20122]

Install synaptic and use it to manage your package, you will find all packages. the Software Center only lists a small fractions of packages available in the normal repositories.

sudo apt install synaptic

[mastablasta]

you should probably just type restricted or something like that and it would show up (if you have proper sources marked).

[ajgreeny]

Install synaptic and use it to manage your package, you will find all packages. the Software Center only lists a small fractions of packages available in the normal repositories.

sudo apt install synaptic

Or use the command line to install packages.

sudo apt install ubuntu-restricted-extras

I can not, however, comment on the sense (or not) of adding specific Mint repos to a Ubuntu system; I know in the past certain things have worked without a problem but I suspect there could be some that might either interfere with Ubuntu's system, or may simply not work.

It may be worth searching and asking at the Mint Forum where they may know more than we do here.

[Dennis N]

Some of the default Mint applications aren't in Ubuntu repositories, like the Xaps: xed, pix, xreader, xplayer, xviewer. If you like them, you can install them in Ubuntu from a PPA and they work fine.

[oldos2er]

There can be differences in package versions and names across distros; this is normal. If you look at the package descriptions, they should match closely though. I wouldn't be mixing repositories from another distro into whichever one you're running, you may break APT.