It’s always a major event in the world of desktop Linux when a new
version of Linux Mint is released. This time around it’s Linux Mint
17.1, a long term support release that will be supported until 2019.
Linux Mint 17.1’s code name is Rebecca and it brings numerous bug fixes
and tweaks, along with some significant new features for the Cinnamon
and MATE desktops.
In this review I’ll cover the MATE and Cinnamon
desktops, as well as the common feature changes shared by both
desktops. Screenshots of both desktops and the new common features are
at the very end of the review. The screenshots of the common features
were done mostly in MATE, but the features work the same in Cinnamon.
What’s new in Linux Mint 17.1Here’s a sample of what’s new in this release:
Cinnamon 2.4 MATE 1.8 MDM 1.8 Linux kernel 3.13 Ubuntu 14.04 package base Compiz support for MATE Update Manager improvements Kernel selection screen redesigned Language Settings enhancements Login Screen improvements
For a complete list of changes to each desktop, see the
Cinnamon and
MATE new features lists.
Linux Mint 17.1 download and installYou can get Linux Mint 17.1 in 32-bit or 64-bit versions, and you can download Linux Mint 17.1
from this page. Or you can just use these links to access download mirrors and torrents:
Linux Mint 17.1 Cinnamon 32-bitLinux Mint 17.1 Cinnamon 64-bit
Linux Mint 17.1 MATE 32-bitLinux Mint 17.1 MATE 64-bit
The
Linux Mint 17.1 ISO files weigh in at between 1.3GB and 1.5GB,
depending on whether you choose 32-bit or 64-bit Cinnamon or MATE. For
this review I picked the 64-bit versions of both desktops.
Installing
Linux Mint 17.1 is about as easy as it gets. It uses the same installer
as Ubuntu, so even those who are totally new to Linux should have no
problems getting Linux Mint 17.1 to install on their systems.
I
really wish there was something I could complain about or note here that
would add some spice to this section of the review, but I had no
problems with my install and it was quick too. You can watch a slideshow
about Linux Mint 17.1’s features and software while you wait for your
install to complete.
Common features and improvements in Linux Mint 17.1I’ll
cover the common feature changes that apply to both desktop
environments here. I’ll talk about specific changes to each desktop in
their respective sections below.
Linux Mint 17.1 Login ScreenThe
Login Window Preferences menu now provides Theme, Auto Login, and
Options icons on the left side to make it easier to access different
settings. You can access HTML and GDM themes from the same list, and you
have the option of previewing the theme via a preview button.
The
login screen itself now has a wallpaper slideshow. When you first load
it, you’ll notice that it scrolls through different wallpaper
backgrounds. You have the option of choosing one wallpaper by clicking a
button in the controls in bottom right corner to stop the slideshow and
stick with your preferred wallpaper. However, I recommend checking out
the range of wallpapers before sticking with just one of them. Some of
them are downright beautiful, and there are many to choose from in this
release of Linux Mint.
The only problem I noticed with the login
screen slideshow is that in some wallpapers, it’s hard to see the
buttons because of the colors of the wallpaper image. They become almost
invisible and you have to stare hard to find them. This is a very minor
nitpick though because I actually thought it was great to see such a
range of choices available right on the login screen.
Linux Mint 17.1 Update ManagerThe Update Manager now
groups packages together based on their source package. When you look at
a line in the Update Manager it now shows a software update that may
include multiple packages. In the new features list, the Linux Mint
developers cautioned against selectively installing packages:
When
a developer fixes a bug or writes new features, the source code is
modified and all packages which are related to it become available under
a new version. It is therefore futile and sometimes dangerous to apply
some package updates and not others within the same source package.
I
suspect that most users will appreciate the changes in Update Manager.
They make it less of a chore to know what’s in a particular software
update, and should help users avoid installing incomplete package
updates.
I ran Update Manager immediately after installing both
Cinnamon and MATE, and had no problems with the new version of Update
Manager. Everything installed without a hitch, and I definitely prefer
this version of Update Manager to previous ones.
Linux Mint 17.1 Linux kernels menuThe
kernels menu has been redesigned to make it faster for you to see
security updates and regressions. Descriptions have been added in your
chosen language, and the main window will remain in view after you
install your kernel updates.
Linux Mint 17.1 Language SettingsThe
Language Settings menu now includes two settings for your locale:
Language and Region. Input Methods support has been added in this
release as well.
Linux Mint 17.1 artwork and fontsLinux
Mint 17.1 uses the Noto fonts, and Mint-X (the Linux Mint theme) now
comes in various colors including Aqua, Blue, Brown, Orange, Pink,
Purple, Red, Sand and Teal. You can right-click on a directory to change
its color too. Linux Mint 17.1 also includes retro, modern and flat
themes.
And there are many more background wallpapers to choose
from as well that span backwards to the very beginning of Linux Mint. I
counted about one hundred and forty one different backgrounds in the
Background tab of Appearance Preferences, so there really is something
for everybody in terms of wallpapers. And, of course, you can get more
online as well.
Changes and improvements to the Linux Mint 17.1 Cinnamon desktopThe
Linux Mint developers have put some effort into making Cinnamon faster,
and in reducing memory usage. The developers note that about thirty
memory leaks were located and fixed in Linux Mint 17.1. So Cinnamon may
run noticeably better on current as well as older hardware. I can’t say I
noticed any big changes in how Cinnamon performs, but it was never a
problem before for me so I didn’t expect to be wowed with it in terms of
increased speed in Linux Mint 17.1. But some folks may notice much
better performance from Cinnamon.
Cinnamon also now starts with a
cool zoom animation. I noticed it when I loaded the live desktop to do
my install. It adds a bit of zest to Cinnamon that wasn’t there before
when starting it up. It’ll probably take you by surprise the first time
you see it, but it definitely improves Cinnamon’s coolness factor.
Cinnamon
also supports single-button trackpads in this release, and you can
configure actions for two or three finger click. You can also configure
the desktop font in Cinnamon. The screensaver can be configured with a
custom date format, as well as custom fonts.
The Theme and
Background Settings have been redesigned, and you have the option using a
background slideshow. Network Settings are based on the latest GNOME
configuration module, and privacy settings have been added. Cinnamon’s
Control Center has a new Notifications icon and menu, along with a
Privacy icon and menu.
The Nemo tool bar also was redesigned for
this release, and it includes configurable buttons and a new button that
lets you open a terminal in your current directory (this button
defaults to being hidden though). Nemo also supports emblems now for
directories and files. The sidebar includes highlight effects if you
hover, and smarter dynamic bookmarks.
I really liked the option of
making directories different colors, it’s a fun way of highlighting
important folders. And it makes it much easier to distinguish them
visually from folders that you don’t use or care about as much. To make a
folder a different color, just right-click it and choose the color from
the popup menu.
The emblems are also a neat way of customizing
and visually distinguishing your important folders. To add an emblem to a
folder, just right-click it and select properties. Then click the
Emblems tab. There are thirty six different emblems you can choose from
including Favorite, Important, and Urgent. You’ll see your emblem
displayed on your folder.
Compiz in the Linux Mint 17.1 MATE desktop
The big attraction in Linux Mint 17.1 for MATE users is the inclusion of
Compiz. The default window manager Marco is still available, but you
can now go to Desktop Settings, click on Windows and then use the Window
Manager drop down menu to change to Compiz. Then logout and log back in
to start using Compiz.
I switched to Compiz to try it in Linux
Mint 17.1 MATE, and it certainly has a definite coolness factor to it.
However, I soon got bored with the glitz of Compiz and switched back to
Marco. Don’t get me wrong, I can see how Compiz has a lot of appeal for
some users. Expo is a great feature and who doesn’t enjoy seeing a
rotating cube of their desktop? I also liked the Wobbly Windows feature
as well, it looks very amusing if you drag a window around on your
screen. But it’s not something I’d really use on a day to day basis.
But
I am certainly glad that Compiz is now available for MATE users that
want it. If you aren’t familiar with Compiz, go to Control Center then
click on CompizConfig Settings Manager, and you can scroll through the
various effects. Marco Giannini posted
a quick video on YouTube of Compiz in action in Linux Mint 17.1 MATE that demonstrates some of its cool effects:
The
Linux Mint developers posted a couple of cautions in their list of new
features for MATE, and I want to post them here for folks who might into
problems using Compiz in Linux Mint 17.1 MATE:
CompizConfig is also installed by default so you can configure every aspect of Compiz to your liking.
If things go wrong, remove ~/.config/compiz-1 for Linux Mint to regenerate it automatically.
If
you’re unable to log in or if compiz does not work at all on your
computer, open a terminal and run “mate-wm-recovery” to switch back to
Marco on your next login.
There’s also a warning message that pops up when you go to open the CompizConfig Settings Manager:
Linux Mint 17.1 MATE CompizConfig Settings Warning
The Linux Mint 17.1 Control CenterOne
thing I want to point out to newcomers to Linux Mint, or Linux in
general, is the Control Center in Cinnamon and MATE. Control Center is
where you have access to all of the tools needed to configure your Linux
Mint system. Do take some time to browse through it and familiarize
yourself with the layout so you can quickly find what you are looking
for as you configure your Linux Mint computer.
You can access the
Control Center in MATE by clicking on the menu button on the panel, and
then clicking on Control Center. In Cinnamon you can click on the panel
menu button and then click on the gears icon (it’s labelled as Control
Center in the bottom right of the panel menu if you hover your cursor
over it).
Control Center’s layouts are slightly different in
Cinnamon and MATE, but it’s easy to find your way around and locate the
tool you need to adjust your system settings. Control Center in Cinnamon
is broken down into categories such as Appearance, Preferences,
Hardware, and Administration. In MATE the categories are slightly
different and include Personal, Internet and Network, Hardware, System,
and Other.
Linux software included in Linux Mint 17.1Here’s a sample of the software included in this release.
GamesNone installed by default but available in the Software Manager
GraphicsGIMP
gThumb
Image Viewer
LibreOffice Draw
Simple Scan
InternetFirefox
HexChat
Pidgin IM
Thunderbird Mail
Transmission
MultimediaBanshee
Brasero
Sound
Videos
VLC Media Player
OfficeDictionary
Document Viewer
LibreOffice
System ToolsCaja
Disk Usage Analyzer
GDebi Package Installer
Log File Viewer
New Login
Power Statistics
System Monitor
Terminal
I
have no complaints about the selection of default software in Linux
Mint 17.1. There are plenty of applications for most basic desktop
needs, and you can always get tons more software in the Software
Manager. I highly recommend that you click on the Featured icon when the
Software Manager first loads up. There are forty five applications
there that are worth checking out, including Steam, Wine, FileZilla,
Wesnoth, Blender and numerous others.
The Software Manager itself is a very easy tool to use to add or
remove applications. I particularly like that you can click on an
application and then scroll down to see star ratings and reviews by
other Linux Mint users. It’s a big help in weeding out some applications
while also promoting others. I always enjoying seeing the comments
posted by other users as I can sometimes learn interesting tidbits about
an application.
To add or remove an application, just click on it
in the Software Manager and then click the Install or Remove button.
There are more than seventy one thousand applications available in
Software Manager, so if you’ll have plenty of packages to choose from to
use on your Linux Mint 17.1 system. Applications in the Software
Manager are broken down into the following categories:
Featured
All Packages
Internet
Sound and Video
Graphics
Office
Games
Accessories
System Tools
Fonts
Science and Education
Programming
If
you prefer to use it, Synaptic is also available. Experienced Linux
users may prefer it to Software Manager, but I don’t recommend that
folks new to Linux use Synaptic. By all means check it out though, and
learn about it.
Synaptic is a powerful tool in the right hands, but Software Manager is
a much better option for casual Linux users that just want to find
applications, and install or remove them.
Where to get help for Linux Mint 17.1If
you’re having problems, please post your questions in the comments
below. You might also want to check out these Linux Mint 17.1 resources:
Linux Mint BlogLinux Mint DocumentationLinux Mint DownloadsLinux Mint ForumLinux Mint Site
Amazon has that you might find useful as well. And you can also bundled on them.
Please be aware before doing an install that there are some known issues in the release notes for Linux Mint 17.1:
Keybindings migration
Cinnamon
2.4 uses new schemas for keybindings. If you’re upgrading from an
earlier version, you can migrate your old keybindings by running the
following command:
- cinnamon-desktop-migrate-mediakeys
Issues with Skype
In 64-bit, if you’re experiencing issues with Skype, install the package “ia32-libs”.
DVD Playback with VLC
If VLC does not find your DVD player, click on Media->Open Disc, and specify ‘/dev/sr0′ as the disc device.
HiDPI
HiDPI
is detected automatically. You can however force Cinnamon to run in low
or in high DPI mode by going to Menu->Preferences->General.
EFI support
If your system is using secureBoot, turn it off.
Note: Linux Mint 17.1 places its boot files in /boot/efi/EFI/ubuntu to work around this bug.
Misconfigured Swap when using home directory encryption
When
using the option to encrypt the home directory, an upstream issue in
the installer results in the Swap partition not being configured
properly.
Click here and here for more information on this bug.
Solving freezes with some NVIDIA GeForce GPUs
If
you are unable to boot Linux Mint with an NVIDIA card, or if you are
experiencing constant freezes and system lock ups, please append
“nomodeset” to your boot arguments. At the boot menu of the live
DVD/USB, press Tab to edit the boot arguments and add “nomodeset” at the
end of the line.
If you’re still having issues, you can also remove “quiet splash –” from that same line.
Alternatively you can use the “nouveau.noaccel=1″ boot argument.
Once the system is installed, use the Driver Manager to install the nvidia-304 driver.
Booting with non-PAE CPUs
To
boot Linux Mint 17.1 on CPU which do not officially support PAE
(Pentium M processors for instance), please use the “Start Linux Mint
with PAE forced” option from the boot menu.
Issues with KDE apps
If you’re experiencing issues with KDE apps (Okular, Gwenview, KStars..etc) run the following command:
- apt install kdelibs-bin kdelibs5-data kdelibs5-plugins
Note:
These issues do not affect the KDE edition. A regression in KDE 4.14
prevents these applications from working fine out of the box outside of
KDE.
Other issues
If you’re experiencing keyboard or mouse freezes, please check the following bug report: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/nfs-utils/+bug/1270445
If you own an AMD CPU with an MSI card and your computer keeps rebooting, please check the following bug report: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/+bug/1309578
Final thoughts about Linux Mint 17.1I
was very impressed with Linux Mint 17.1. The common feature upgrades
and bug fixes add real value to this distribution. The changes in Update
Manager, the Login Screen, Language Settings, Kernel Menu, and artwork
should please almost all Linux Mint users. And the huge range of
background wallpapers, along with the slideshow feature make it a great
choice for those who want frequent changes to the look of their Linux
Mint systems.
Cinnamon and MATE have both improved significantly
in this release as well. Compiz brings MATE up to par with Cinnamon in
terms of desktop glitz, and the changes in Cinnamon have made it even
better than it was in previous versions of Linux Mint. I had fun futzing
around with Compiz on MATE, and there’s no doubt that it adds some
serious desktop bling to an otherwise rather sedate, traditional desktop
environment. And Cinnamon’s colored folders and emblems make it much
simpler to visually identify your important and most used folders. I
really liked having that option even though I initially didn’t think it
would matter too much.
Upgrading to Linux Mint 17.1 seems like
pretty much a no-brainer to me after my experience using it. If you’re
already running Linux Mint then you should be able to use Update Manager
to get Linux Mint 17.1, and I recommend that you do so when you have
the chance. It’s well worth upgrading, and I think you will enjoy the
latest version of Linux Mint quite a bit. There’s not much to complain
about in Linux Mint 17.1, the developers did a great job in tweaking
MATE and Cinnamon while also improving the common features that both
desktops share with each other.
But which desktop should you
choose? Cinnamon or MATE? Frankly, I don’t think you can go wrong with
either desktop in Linux Mint 17.1. If you aren’t sure which one you
might prefer, try installing both in VirtualBox. Use each of them for at
least a few days each, then make up your mind and install whichever one
you prefer. Both of them work very well, but my personal preference
right now is MATE since I lean more toward the traditional desktop set
up.
Linux Mint 17.1 is suitable for beginner, intermediate and advanced Linux users.
What’s your take on Linux Mint 17.1? Tell me in the comments below.
Linux Mint 17.1 screenshots:
Linux Mint 17.1 Cinnamon Colored Folder
Linux Mint 17.1 Cinnamon Control Center
Linux Mint 17.1 Cinnamon Desktop
Linux Mint 17.1 Cinnamon Folder Emblems
Linux Mint 17.1 Cinnamon Menu
Linux Mint 17.1 Featured Applications in Software Manager
Linux Mint 17.1 Install Slideshow
Linux Mint 17.1 Login Screen
Linux Mint 17.1 MATE Compiz Cube
Linux Mint 17.1 MATE CompizConfig Settings
Linux Mint 17.1 MATE Control Center
Linux Mint 17.1 MATE Desktop
Linux Mint 17.1 MATE Menu
Linux Mint 17.1 Software Manager
Linux Mint 17.1 Synaptic Package Manager
Linux Mint 17.1 Update Manager
