Linux Mint has long been one of the most popular desktop
distributions, so it’s always a big deal when a version is released.
This time around it’s Linux Mint 17. This review covers the Cinnamon
version of Linux Mint 17, but much of it also applies to the MATE
version with the exception of changes to the MATE 1.8 desktop.
As
to which desktop environment you should use, I think it just gets down
to your own personal preference. MATE is a more traditional desktop
while Cinnamon has a more modern feel to it. If you aren’t sure which
one you might like better, my advice is to try both of them and then
make your decision.
Linux Mint 17 is a long term support release.
It will receive security updates until 2019. The Linux Mint developers
plan to use this package base until 2016, so upgrading should be a piece
of cake once you start using Linux Mint 17.
Linux Mint 17 Cinnamon Desktop
What’s new in Linux Mint 17 Cinnamon
Here’s a sample of the new features in this release:
Update Manager
Drivers Manager
Login Screen
Language Settings
Software Sources
Welcome Screen
Cinnamon 2.2
System Improvements
Artwork Improvements
Main Components
LTS Strategy
Update Manager
The
Update Manager has had some serious improvements to it in this release.
It’s faster, and you don’t need root mode to load it. It also doesn’t
look for an Internet connection, and it doesn’t lock your APT cache when
it starts up. You can also see kernel information in a new section of
Update Manager.
There’s also a type column that lets you see
differences between traditional and security updates, backports and
romeo updates. Update history now also includes all updates on your
Linux Mint 17 system, including apt-get, Update Manager or via gdebi or
dpkg.
Kudos to the Linux Mint developers for making Update Manager
a much more useful tool. Update Manager is far better now it ever was
in the past.
Linux Mint 17 Cinnamon Update Manager
Linux Mint 17 Cinnamon Linux Kernels
Driver Manager
The
Driver Manager can install drivers now even if you aren’t connected to
the Internet. You’ll be asked to insert the disc or other install medium
in order to add your drivers.
Linux Mint 17 Driver Manager
Login Manager
Login
Manager (MDM) has also been improved. Multi-monitor support is better,
with more options. And the HTML greeter offers HiDPI support. You can
even use a user name that’s not present in the usual list of users, and
the animation in the background uses less CPU resources.
Linux Mint 17 Cinnamon Login Menu
Language Settings
Language
Settings is a new menu that replaces Language Support. You can easily
select a language, apply it to your entire system and also install new
languages.
Linux Mint 17 Cinnamon Language Settings
Software Sources
The
Software Sources menu has gotten improved usability and a few interface
tweaks. You’ll see a warning now against use of backport and romeo
components. That should come in handy for those who aren’t sure what
they are but like to experiment anyway.
Linux Mint 17 Cinnamon Software Sources
Welcome Menu
The
welcome menu is faster and does not use webkit. While I’m always glad
to see improvements, I never thought it was slow before. Did anybody
else? It seemed pretty zippy to me in past releases, but maybe I just
wasn’t paying attention.
Linux Mint 17 Cinnamon Welcome Menu
System Settings
The
System Settings menu has been tweaked to include subcategories, along
with some other interface changes. You can now see all settings all the
time, you don’t need to switch between normal and advanced modes. This
is a change I’m very glad to see since it has the potential to cut down
on confusion among newer users who were’t familiar with System Settings.
Linux Mint 17 Cinnamon System Settings
Artwork Improvements
Linux
Mint 17 Cinnamon comes with artwork improvements as well. The Mint-X
theme has been changed in this release too. Tints and widgets are both
improved. Check out the desktop backgrounds that are available now, some
of them are quite beautiful.
Linux Mint 17 Cinnamon Desktop Backgrounds
Hot Corners and HUD
Hot
corners and the HUD have been tweaked a bit. The HUD will only appear
now if you bring a window very close to the edge of the screen. And you
can now choose hover, icon click or both for hot corners. The top-left
hot corner default has been disabled.
Linux Mint 17 Cinnamon Hot Corners
Lock Screen
The
lock screen is now separate from the power management settings. You can
easily change when your screen locks, or turn it off altogether. And
you can add a custom message to your lock screen.
Linux Mint 17 Cinnamon Lock Screen Menu
Linux Mint 17 Cinnamon download and install
You can download Linux Mint 17 from this page.
You can get Linux Mint 17 Cinnamon in 32-bit or 64-bit versions. The
install is incredibly easy and fast, even folks new to Linux should have
no problems. You can watch a slideshow during the install that will
show you some of Linux Mint’s features and applications.
Linux Mint 17 Cinnamon Boot Menu
Linux Mint 17 Cinnamon Install Preparation Screen
Linux Mint 17 Cinnamon Install Type Menu
Linux Mint 17 Cinnamon Install Slideshow
Linux software included in Linux Mint 17 Cinnamon
Here’s
a sample of the software included in this release. There are thousands
and thousands of other applications available in the Software Manager.
Be sure to check the Featured Applications section first if you aren’t
sure which applications to install. There are some great ones there and
that list might save you some time browsing around the Software Manager.
Games
Games are available in the Software Manager
Graphics
GIMP
gThumb
Image Viewer
LibreOffice Draw
Simple Scan
Internet
Firefox
HexChat
Pidgin IM
Thunderbird Mail
Transmission
Multimedia
Banshee
Brasero
Videos
VLC Media Player
Office
LibreOffice Calc
LibreOffice Draw
LibreOffice Impress
LibreOffice Math
LibreOffice Writer
Linux Mint 17 Cinnamon Software Manager
Linux Mint 17 Cinnamon Featured Applications
Where to get help for Linux Mint 17 Cinnamon
If you’re having problems, please post your questions in the comments below or post in the Desktop Linux Reviews forum. Other readers might be able to assist you. You might also want to check out these Linux Mint 17 resources:
Please
note that there are some known issues with Linux Mint 17 Cinnamon.
Here’s a list of them, bear them in mind before you do an install.
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 places its boot files in /boot/efi/EFI/ubuntu to work around 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 on non-PAE CPUs, please append “forcepae” to your boot arguments. At the boot menu of the live DVD/USB, press Tab to edit the boot arguments and add “forcepae” at the end of the line.
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
More at Linux Mint 17 Cinnamon Release Notes
Final thoughts about Linux Mint 17 Cinnamon
Linux
Mint rarely disappoints when a new version is released, and Linux Mint
17 Cinnamon is no exception to that rule. This release comes with lots
of improvements and it has the virtue of being a long term support
release. So not only do you get the benefits of all the various new
features and tweaks, you get a desktop distro that you can use with
confidence for the next few years.
There’s a ton of stuff to like
Linux Mint 17, I think most Linux Mint users are going to be delighted
with it. My experience has been extremely positive while using it. It’s
definitely one of the best choices out there right now for desktop Linux
users. I highly recommend checking it out if you need a desktop distro
for your system.
What’s your take on Linux Mint 17? Tell me in the comments below.
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