Is there an online/web interface to search and list apt-get packages and see summaries and recommendations?
Such a thing already exists for Ubuntu:
https://apps.ubuntu.com/
You can browse by category and search for packages using the web interface. Each application also displays its rating and any reviews it has received - just like the Software Center in Ubuntu.
If it doesn't need to be web based, there are various programs that do this (arranged in order of purdiness):
The classic:
synaptic, you just need to click on the "Sections" button on the bottom left to browse by section. Should work on all Debian based distros and as far as I know is installed by default on all of them as well. You can get Ubuntu debs (which should work for Mint as well) here. No ratings or reviews.
Ubuntu software center, installed by default on Ubuntu systems, but can also be installed on other Debian-based distros. Offers ratings and reviews where available.
Mint software manager (
mintinstall), installed by default on Mint systems (including Linux Mint Debian) but can also be installed on other Debian-based distros.
It offers ratings and reviews when available.
