I've been using Ubuntu for a couple of years now and haven't strayed far from them in day to day use. Occasionally I get a wild hair and decide to give something I run across a chance to impress. They rarely do manage to impress me, though.
Part of why I use Ubuntu is because it is so user-friendly and I want my friends and such to see how easy it could be be to get the heck away from Microsoft. So while I would be comfortable using some of the other Linux distros, the part of me that wants more people to use a Linux based OS keeps me coming back to Ubuntu. That's not the only reason I choose Ubuntu, but it's a big one.
The last few days I have been poring over available distros to see if there was anything new I wanted to play with, and today I'm going to play around with Linux Mint. Part of my choice is because their new version is being released for download today! Over the course of the last year, there have been a number of references to Linux Mint that have peaked my interest, but until your OS gets incidentally wiped out by bad luck, there's not always a reason to change from something that is working fine. My desktop is dual-booted, so I really only get my Windows and whatever Linux distro I'm choosing to play with at the moment.
I'm excited to be trying Linux Mint today, and should have an article based on it for you in just a few hours. As to some information about Linux Mint, here's some history:
Linux Mint began in 2006, based on the very tried and tested software such as the Linux kernel, GNU tools and Gnome desktop. It also uses Ubuntu and Debian as bases for the system. The goal was to make the ultimate user-friendly (read n00b-friendly) version, to make transition from Windows or Mac OSs easier, and to develop an ideal desktop. Like Ubuntu, it runs on a 6 month release cycle.
A selling point of giving Linux Mint a try is that since they are using Ubuntu as a base, they can pull from the same repositories. In everyday language that means a large selection of software and support is available from the same sources Ubuntu uses. Solutions to problems in Ubuntu will usually work as solutions in Linux Mint, and that means you have two active communities working with you to create the perfect computer operating system.
The changes being implemented with Linux Mint 10 'Julia' include:
- A new welcome screen for installing any multimedia codecs right from the start. Also, since I'll be running this from the CD version and few things were left out of that version for space contraints, the welcome screen will allow me to automatically install the few items missing from the DVD version.
- An updated menu! The menu will apparently make it easier to search for software and install packages without having to go into the Software Manager. It will also highlight new applications and adds support for GTK bookmarks and themes.
- An updated Software Manager makes packages easier to browse and find. Categorization is more thorough.
- New backgrounds and themes.
- A security-enhanced version of the 2.6.35 Linux Kernel, Gnome 2.32 and Xorg 7.5.
Linux Mint is available in 32-bit and 64-bit, which is nice since the last couple of years have seen an increase in 64-bit development. Software required for 'Julia' - x86 processor, 512 MB RAM, 4GB disk space, and a graphics card capable of 800x600 resolution.
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