Linux Mint 14 RC is here!

[coffee]

Since the demise of the desktop in both windows and linux (meta,gnome3,unity) its been somewhat scary to difficult to find an operating system that is both productive and has the best features. An operating system that provides quick productivity and a clean look is needed by many to get the work done. Unfortunately Win8 along with linux distros featuring gnome3 and unity no longer fit the bill for most of us. They are difficult to understand and we tend to feel abandoned by the developers. Well, That is no longer true! Linux Mint has released ver 14 and I have taken the time to load it up in a VM and give it a test run.

The VM was setup to allow 2 cores for processing and 2 gigs of ram. The Virtual Disk is larger than what is needed at 100 gigs. Linux Mint 14 RC loaded with the mate desktop.

I have to say I am very impressed with the fine work that has gone into Mint. Its easy to see why Mint has dislodged other distros in the #1 spot at distrowatch. The interface is very clean and responsive. All the loved features that where present in such releases as ubuntu 10.x are back with added features as well. The panel applets are back also that alot of us have missed dearly.

Below are the screenshots to give you an idea of the Mate desktop which is based on the popular gnome2 desktop. Gnome2 maybe dead but Mate picks up and takes the lead with many improvements and bugfixes that gnome never completed! For a full list of fixes just visit the mint home page.

The default desktop - Mint 14 Mate Desktop Enviroment

The Software Manager main screen

The Control Panel main screen

The Applets main window

For those of you with customers using linux I definitely recommend your upgrade path from ubuntu to Mint. Its feature rich, Provides the look and feel that your customers are used too, Is fast and responsive and available also with the new cinnamon desktop which derives from gnome3 desktop.

Of course, Should your customers be ripping their hair out on win8 you can always boot the install cd and run it live to show them a better way to get the work done!

IMHO, Ubuntu 10.x was on the right track to gain the desktop market share. But somehow the developers lost their vision and have stumbled. Its nice to see Mint keeping on course in development of a great operating system. Mint is well on its way to be the defacto O/S for those not enjoying either win8 or the linux distros using gnome3 or unity.

Download Mint 14 RC here ---> http://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=2205


Mint makes you proud to be a linux user all over again!

Best Regards,

coffee

 

[SilverLeaf]

Nice write-up! Thanks for taking the time to put it together. It looks to be quite mature and well suited as a possible alternative for Windows8 refugees... as long as they understand the potential limitations (Win-printers, itunes, netflix, etc)

I might try out a VM myself sometime this week. I tinkered around with Mint several years back (Bianca), but didn't stick with it as my primary O/S, as it seemed like just another Ubuntu-based distro with a Gnome2 DE at the time. Obviously, its come a long way since then, and Cinnamon looks to be quite functional and polished.

 

[coffee]

I have just finished emailing my customers to let them know about it. I am very impressed with it and my customers have been wondering and calling me already about windows 8. I have recommended they stick with win7 or whatever and my ubuntu customers I will move to linux Mint.

Thanks for the good comments. I think alot of users are going to start moving to linux except for the problems with hardware and software. But you know, With steam taking a real interest in linux the operating system game could be taking a big move to the linux side!

Best Regards,

coffee

p.s - dont forget that teamviewer is available for remote support on linux also!

 

[Slaters Kustum Machines]

I have just finished emailing my customers to let them know about it. I am very impressed with it and my customers have been wondering and calling me already about windows 8. I have recommended they stick with win7 or whatever and my ubuntu customers I will move to linux Mint.

Thanks for the good comments. I think alot of users are going to start moving to linux except for the problems with hardware and software. But you know, With steam taking a real interest in linux the operating system game could be taking a big move to the linux side!

Best Regards,

coffee

p.s - dont forget that teamviewer is available for remote support on linux also!

I haven't used TeamViewer on Linux in at least 6 months, but from what I recall it wasn't the greatest, however I was remoted into VM's which doesn't help, but has it gotten any better?

 

[coffee]

I haven't used TeamViewer on Linux in at least 6 months, but from what I recall it wasn't the greatest, however I was remoted into VM's which doesn't help, but has it gotten any better?

I really dont have much of a problem with teamviewer. Just dont switch desktops on the remote. The only time things get a bit annoying is running it on a DSL line or on a slow old computer . I did see a new version is out (8) but I have not tried it.

 

[Slaters Kustum Machines]

I really dont have much of a problem with teamviewer. Just dont switch desktops on the remote. The only time things get a bit annoying is running it on a DSL line or on a slow old computer . I did see a new version is out (8) but I have not tried it.

I am using 8 beta for non-work use, but haven't used the meeting feature, however it does seem a little faster than before, though I never had an issue with speed on Windows -Windows sessions. Maybe I'll do some Linux testing. I've been thinking about switching my desktop back to Linux, but will probably be using Ubuntu with gnome-panel.

 

[gunslinger]

I love Mint. Downloading it now.