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The brand new Linux Mint 21.2, codenamed “Victoria,” is a refreshing replace to my favourite Linux desktop distribution. It continues to construct on the stable basis of Ubuntu 22.04 Lengthy Time period Assist (LTS) and the Linux kernel 5.15, providing a secure and dependable working system for each new and skilled customers. This model can also be a Mint LTS; you need to use it confidently till 2027.
Why do I want it over Home windows 11 or MacOS Ventura? Moreover that it has higher safety than both one, I additionally like that it comes with all of the free and open-source software program I want for work.
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Like all Linux desktop distros, Victoria is not only a complete desktop working system. It consists of all of the software program you want. It comes with LibreOffice 7.3.7 for workplace productiveness, Thunderbird 102.4 for e-mail and calendaring, GIMP 2.10.30 for graphics enhancing, and Firefox 115.02 for internet searching.
Desire a totally different program? No drawback. You will have heard putting in applications on Linux is a serious ache. That is not true. It is easy. Simply open up the Software program Supervisor and seek for your program.
For instance, if, like me, you favor Chrome, all I needed to do was seek for “Internet browser,” and I’ve three dozen internet browsers to select from. I discovered Chrome from a variety that included Microsoft Edge, Courageous, Opera, and — an actual blast from the previous — Mosaic and clicked on it. A minute later, I used to be in enterprise.
All of those are free.
The Software program Supervisor additionally includes a refreshed consumer interface and the choice to obtain purposes through Flatpak. This can be a important growth as Mint is without doubt one of the newest Linux distributions to undertake Flatpak. The Software program Supervisor additionally consists of software rankings that will help you make knowledgeable choices about your purposes.
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Flatpak permits builders to allow customers to put in containerized applications on their desktops simply. Don’t love Flatpak as a result of these containerized purposes take up extra drive and reminiscence area? No drawback. Software program Supervisor makes it simple to see the distinction between a traditional and a Flatpak set up.
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Mint’s management has by no means preferred Flatpak’s rival Snap program supervisor. If you wish to use snaps anyway — I do — take the next steps from the shell.
$ sudo rm /and so on/apt/preferences.d/nosnap.pref
$ apt replace
$ apt set up snapd
And, whereas the Snap retailer will not be built-in with the Software program and Replace Supervisor, you may set up Snap applications.
Some of the important updates in Linux Mint 21.2 is the enhancement of the Cinnamon desktop atmosphere. Cinnamon, already recognized for its user-friendly and intuitive interface, has been additional polished on this launch.
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The newest model, Cinnamon 5.8, introduces a brand new idea referred to as Kinds, which provides three modes: darkish, gentle, and combined. These modes, mixed with theme variants, enable customers to customise the appear and feel of their desktop to their liking. Different enhancements embrace improved gesture assist for window administration, media controls, and workspace administration, the flexibility to resize the primary menu manually, and the addition of icons to notification home windows to higher illustrate the message.
Do not look after Cinnamon? Linux Mint 21.2 additionally comes with MATE, the GNOME 2-style desktop, which is not in growth. If in case you have a low-powered PC, Linux Mint Xfce 21.2 can also be prepared to put in and run. All are quite simple to select up.
Talking of laptop energy, the Cinnamon interface can also be quicker and snappier. There have been many adjustments below the hood to hurry up the show. I observed this instantly on my most important desktop. The brand new Mint ran quicker than ever on my 2020 Dell Precision 3451. An Intel 8-core 3GHz i7-9700 CPU powers this PC. It additionally consists of 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD.
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That is much more laptop energy than Mint wants. Linux Mint will run on just about any laptop. You are good to go in case your PC has 2GBs of RAM and 100GB, any graphics card, and a monitor that helps a 1024×768 decision. When you’re not sure if you wish to strive Mint, you may seize nearly any PC from a second-hand retailer to play with it.
Linux Mint 21.2 additionally introduces expanded video file format assist, together with assist for HEIF and AVIF file codecs, and Adobe Illustrator recordsdata within the doc viewer. This launch additionally options an improved Bluetooth stack and login display screen, in addition to new wallpapers and themes, together with a worldwide darkish mode. The Cinnamon Nemo file supervisor now has new, clearer folder icons, enhancing the general consumer expertise.
Regardless of these important updates, Linux Mint 21.2 maintains its dedication to simplicity and user-friendliness. It continues providing a conventional, Home windows 95-style desktop, which has received over many customers over time. This launch doesn’t introduce any radical adjustments which may shock customers. As an alternative, it focuses on small enhancements that improve the general consumer expertise.
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This model of Mint is constructed on prime of Ubuntu 22.04, often known as Jammy Jellyfish. It inherits many business-friendly options, akin to full Lively Listing (AD) assist with Superior Group Coverage Object. So if you wish to run Mint on a enterprise community with a Home windows 2012 or newer AD Area Controller, you are prepared for work.
It additionally makes use of the Linux 5.15 kernel. This comes with enterprise options, improved Home windows NTFS file system assist, and an in-kernel SMB 3.0 file server. This additionally improves its integration with Home windows-based techniques and file servers.
The desktop itself has additionally been cleaned up. Now, by default, there are far fewer icons. The Dwelling, Laptop, Trash, and Community icons are all lacking. When you nonetheless like these icons like me, you may simply add them once more through the System Settings panel. Mint offers you all of the management you might ever need over your desktop to set it up in no matter manner makes you cheerful.
The newest Course of Monitor alerts you when any important actions, like backups, are occurring within the background. The default use of the Web Printing Protocol (IPP) permits for straightforward printer and scanner setup with no need drivers, though assist for printer drivers can also be accessible.
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To put in Linux Mint 21.2, you may obtain it now. When you’re already operating Linux Mint 21.x, upgrading to Victoria is trivial. Utilizing my 1 Gigabit down fiber connection, it took me lower than quarter-hour.
To sum all of it up, Linux Mint 21.2 “Victoria” is a stable replace that brings a number of new options and enhancements to the desk. It continues providing a user-friendly, secure, and feature-rich working system for brand new and veteran customers. Whether or not you are a brand new consumer contemplating switching from Home windows to Linux or a seasoned consumer searching for an improve, Linux Mint 21.2 is value testing.
Me? I take advantage of Linux Mint each day on my most important desktops. On it, I write 1000’s of phrases a day, check applications of every kind and types, handle web sites and mailing lists, and just do sufficient programming to maintain my hand in. Except you are doing severe with a capital S picture or video work — through which case you must use the highest-end Mac you may afford — Mint is a superb desktop.