No I am not writing a review on tea (not today anyway). Today I am writing about my impressions of Linux Mint (a Debian/Ubuntu based distro). I have wiped my laptop to install this after reading this excerpt from Distrowatch:
Linux Mint is one of the surprise packages of the past year. Originally launched as a variant of Ubuntu with integrated media codecs, it has now developed into one of the most user-friendly distributions on the market – complete with a custom desktop and menus, several unique configuration tools, a web-based package installation interface, and a number of different editions. Perhaps most importantly, this is one project where the developers and users are in constant interaction, resulting in dramatic, user-driven improvements with every new release. DistroWatch has spoken to the founder and lead developer of Linux Mint, Clement Lefebvre, about the history of the distribution.
Last night I decided enough was enough time for a fresh build on this old laptop (DELL inspiron 1520 in green). I didn’t want to go the old route of installing XP or Vista then installing a current Linux distro. So I looked up Distrowatch and made a choice on Mint.
I also had read about this distro before Christmas and thought I would have a go (original article by Mike Johnston @ LinuxCritic).
So here goes. Download took 40 minutes (DDL). Burned the ISO and 
rebooted (after backing up /home of course). The live environment was very pleasing to the eye, subtle greens (hence the colour change today) and new menus. The beautiful interface should have been expected really, having roots in Ireland it was inevitable. Still, I have learned that first impressions are not always the best.
Anyways, proof is in the pudding. So a custom partition layout (3×30Gb partitions, 1×4Gb swap & 1×150Gb for/home). Why three 30Gb partitions I hear you say . . . well simple really, this allows me to install other distros without having to play with resizing partitions later. Plus I can use /home for any one of them.
The installation took 25 minutes, I was watching a movie and not concentrating so it may have been faster. Once setup I rebooted. OMFG 8 seconds for cold boot to login, my chin hit the floor. I figured on 15-20. I had not done any updates yet though.
So just over an hour later (the good lady was playing Second Life and grabbing bandwidth) the updates was done. Power off and another cold boot. 8 seconds again. Brilliant.
So I spent the next two hours installing all the requirements for Second Life and restoring /home. This time I am only installing the FlexLife viewer. Unfo
rtunately the default greens had to go. I use the black and white wallpaper I posted I while ago (I still love this – XD). Installed my monitors and everything else I use on a day to day basis. I did have to remove pulse audio, because it prevents FlexLife from shutting down on this laptop. But here look at the performance:
- CPU1: 3%
- CPU2: 2%
- Memory: 261Mb
- Swap: 0Mb
I was running Firefox, Thunderbird and Putty (had to restart the shoutcast streams on the server) at the time. Although I am a fan of the desktop enhancements of compiz (wobbly windows, particle fire etc etc) I have disabled them for the time being. I want to make sure everything functions as it should.
Mint comes with alot of support for the restricted extras. ‘Out of the box’ it could play DVD and MP3. Plus it uses Ubuntu repos which is great.
So far I have found one problem (which is an issue for me) I am seemingly unable to watch QuickTime movies. I have added the usual VLC and GStreamer stuff, but still no Joy. Why is this an issue? Well I make short films in Second Life and play them on virtual TV screens. These screens run on . . . you got it . . . QuickTime. Oh well, I will post when I find a solution.
I will leave you with this:
If you want a very stable and visually pleasing distro try Mint,
I give it 97%.
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