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Linux Mint 6 Felicia Review : It Must Be Christmas

penguinway.net — Linux Mint version 6 Felicia came out on December 15th and I have been running it on my Dell Inspiron 530 Q6600 system for the past week. I should note, however, that while Mint includes proprietary software it is far from being a better looking Ubuntu knockoff with Flash and MP3 working right out of the box.

Who dugg this? Made popular Dec 27, 2008

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  • spritom, on 12/26/2008, -0/+39I installed Mint on an older laptop a few weeks ago. 1.6GHz Pentium M with 512MB RAM. I was pleasantly surprised how everything works right out of the box. Video, audio, touchpad, Flash, codecs...haven't had to manually install anything yet. Are we getting closer to the perfect OS for Grandma?

    While the system boots up quickly, it noticeably gets a little slow in operation if a few apps are open at once. It could be the system itself and I'll probably upgrade the memory to its max of 1GB, but overall, I've been impressed with it.
  • jamezracer, on 12/26/2008, -1/+20Fantasic review. As a long time ubuntu user I think I'll give mint a try now.
  • johndavidjack, on 12/27/2008, -0/+17Are you ready to activate Windows?

    Would you like to install Windows Genuine Advantage (no really, you have to)?

    Your computer is not protected by a firewall.

    Do you mind waiting 10 minutes for boot-up / login? Anti-virus needs to wipe the ass of our terrible security model.

  • 72doubledown, on 12/27/2008, -2/+19if you like ubuntu, you'll love mint.
  • rolf, on 12/27/2008, -2/+18What are you installing XP on, yaggermr?

    When I install XP, my graphics is at 640x480 and needs a graphics driver for my card. On my old box, it also needed a driver for my add-on ethernet card, driver for printer, and for my MICROSOFT wireless mouse and keyboard (they functioned, but computer refused to go to sleep until the proper driver was installed).

    The only way an MS OS works out of the box is if it's an OEM box with it preinstalled (meaning someone else sat there and configured it down the line, either for that model, or for a hundred thousand models just like it).
  • JoelJ, on 12/27/2008, -0/+13"I think the “it works better” arguement has to come before the “it’s free” argument."
    I couldn't have said it better myself.
  • contradictator, on 12/27/2008, -0/+11I just got a laptop and immediately installed Mint 6 on it. I've been trying it out for a few days while weaning myself away from my trusty old G4 Mac Mini (running 10.3.9 no less) and I'm really liking it.

    I've never used Linux before, just OSX at home and XP at work. I have a few friends who tried Ubuntu, but they had enough complaints to keep me wary.

    But Mint is great, it does enough hand-holding for the computer-illiterate, but has all the robust Linux-goodness for the more hardcore. Being somewhere in between, I'm having little-to-no troubles with it, and I'm discovering some really ingenious stuff that I've personally never seen on any other operating system before.

    Just gotta get around to migrating all my files, docs, music and other such stuff onto the new comp, and I'll be set!
  • Codename, on 12/27/2008, -0/+11Mint has always been really simple and fast, this release looks even better, I've always loved the fact how the codecs were pre-installed as well, that's nice it saves some headches installing packages and what not. It's almost exactly like Sabayon.
  • SasquatchBill, on 12/27/2008, -2/+13Please tell me its named after Felicia Day. She's lovely.
  • barius, on 12/27/2008, -0/+11I'm a developer and my opinion is, let the developers drool over development and everyone who just wants to use it can drool over the features. That's really the way it should be. After all, what's the point of being a developer if the only person who will ever see your project is another developer (who will probably just think it's a pile of crap because you didn't develop it the way they thought it should be done)?

    At the end of the day, who are we developing for? The obvious answer is: anyone *but* other developers!
  • bitterbug, on 12/27/2008, -0/+10I installed Mint in VirtualBox and it runs great.
    I think anyone with a family member who doesn't have the safest web habits should have a setup like that so they can easily browse without risk to their main OS.
    Realistically you're not going to convince most people to switch to Linux from their current OS, but show them the simple methods for getting online and minimizing infection risks and they might go for it.
  • str1fe, on 12/27/2008, -0/+10Last time I did a fresh install of XP, I had to reinstall every last one of my drivers, reinstall a whole hell of a lot of programs, including anti-virus, and I had to spend about half an hour adjusting miscellaneous settings just to get it to work the way I wanted to.

    Last time I did a fresh install of Linux Mint, I spent 10 minutes messing with my wireless configuration since I have an off-brand wireless card. Then I was good to go.

    Oh also I wasn't prompted with annoying stuff to install thus-and-such on Mint like I was on XP.
  • InorganicMatter, on 12/27/2008, -0/+10Installed Mint on two systems this week. I think I'm going to start using it a lot more than openSUSE. Everything works so much better out of the box.
  • inactive, on 12/27/2008, -1/+9The first time I tried to play a restricted format on Ubuntu, a popup appeared telling me how to install the codecs through the graphical package manager. You are obviously lying, or you're using a distro other than Ubuntu, in which case it's your own fault for not using the distro recommended for newbies.
  • daboz912, on 12/27/2008, -0/+8Quick question: I have a Mac and PC, and can reasonably run either one, but so many of my friends in school are running Ubuntu or Linux. Does anyone know of a good site for me to figure out which linux or ubuntu version to run? I have my old PC that I could either go dual-boot or just convert to Linux OS. Thank you in advance.
  • mikusd, on 12/27/2008, -1/+9Gimpishi is spot on. Installing Mint, you cannot go wrong if it is your first rendezvous with Linux. I normally recommend Ubuntu to *nix virgins, simply because of the broad support and minimal tinkering required for a basic setup. In the spirit of this article, being both about Mint and about a new release, I'd say go for it over Ubuntu. Both will be easy on the new user, but with all the power/possibility of any other distro.

    The one advantage in using something like Gentoo right off the bat is that you are forced to learn the ways of *nix and the command line immediately. With Mint and Ubuntu, you can ALMOST get away with doing everything completely in a GUI.
  • AbuQutaita, on 09/18/2009, -2/+10I love that OOBE in XP... 640x480 resolution with my rockin' "Standard VGA Graphics Adapter".
  • syst3m3ltdown, on 12/27/2008, -0/+8too bad 95% of the worlds super computers are linux
  • Gimpishi, on 12/27/2008, -1/+8Throw Ubuntu Mint on there if it's your first distro because it is relatively forgiving. Also DO NOT enable the root account (it will ask you during install if you want to enable it, DON'T!) Sabayon linux is another to try if you want the KDE environment, and a ton of games. Read the wiki for the distros before you ask questions, and remember google is your friend.
  • Cerebron, on 12/27/2008, -0/+7Never bury Felicia Day.
  • Phocion55, on 12/27/2008, -2/+8*sigh* When do all the junior high school students go back to school from holiday break?
  • triblinator, on 12/27/2008, -0/+6I'll warn you, it's just a gateway to harsher distros!
  • leodavinci, on 12/27/2008, -0/+5A very nice review of Mint, answered a lot of the questions I had on why Mint was better than Ubuntu outside of just the graphical differences. The APTonCD utility looks especially promising.
  • inactive, on 12/27/2008, -0/+5 Why not fart around with any other Linux distro?
    Just as there are many wonderful flavors of wine,the same goes for Linux.
    Linux is all about choice. Just because YOU chose Ubuntu do not expect all of us to do the same..And dissing other versions of Linux is not going to cause people to flock to Ubuntu either.In fact,acting like your distro is the only one worth using will only put that distro and you in a less favorable light.
    Use what you like best,,whether it be fedora, Mint .Mepis ,Cosmosis ,Debian, Sabatin, whatever.
    Try several flavors of Linux,and eventually you will hit on the one that fits your needs.
    I have tried Ubuntu,and it did not fit my needs,but I've found other distros that have.







  • str1fe, on 12/27/2008, -0/+5Actually my last fresh XP install *was* Service Pack 2. I had to hunt down all of my drivers to reinstall them. I still have the driver install files on a one-gig flash drive so I don't have to go through that hell next time I reformat.
  • inactive, on 12/27/2008, -0/+4 Installing packages is hard? Get a grip dude.
    My package manager is right on the task bar..I just open it and type in what i want to search for,then install with a click.
    Easy.
  • 2of8, on 12/27/2008, -0/+4Or simply this was from an old version, which didn't do this. But yeah, I appreciate the fact that nowadays, playing most media files without the required codec pops up with a download window, and you just have to accept everything.
  • Mizzark, on 12/27/2008, -0/+4Cool looking design.
  • NCmatt, on 12/27/2008, -0/+4I prefer debian, but I've used Mint and I like it.
  • barius, on 12/27/2008, -0/+4True, it is all you need. On the other hand, most of us already have hardware lying around. Why go out and spend hundreds or thousands to buy new hardware just to get OSX?
  • wallclimber, on 12/28/2008, -0/+4"Are we getting closer to the perfect OS for Grandma?"

    Trust me, it's been perfect for "Grandma" for quite a while now, but every improvement does seem to make it easier for the kids to use. : )
  • lowtolerance, on 12/27/2008, -0/+4occasionally with linux, you'll come across issues that you'll have to find help for. the same is true of any OS(or practically any piece of software, for that matter), but i find that with linux i almost always come away having learned something useful.
  • inactive, on 12/27/2008, -0/+4 So true..I have two megs of ram and this baby flies with Cosmosis Linux.
  • lowtolerance, on 12/27/2008, -0/+4how is it a waste? you have no idea what that guy uses his PC for. maybe he's cranking out hi poly blender renders in his spare time, for all you know.
  • Wackoman, on 12/27/2008, -0/+4Have you even tried Mint? I switched from ubuntu to mint a while ago and haven't looked back.
  • UncleHumjaba, on 12/27/2008, -0/+4As long as the package is in the package manager, I would say it's easier to install stuff on Ubuntu (and I'd assume Mint) than windows...
  • mrBitch, on 12/27/2008, -0/+3Quite a good review. Also useful is the mentioned APTonCD : http://www.penguinway.net/?p=247
    " APTonCD is an awesome tool if you don’t have access to the Internet all the time. The program can be found at Applications>Administation>APTonCd. It saves all of the packages that you have installed using Synaptic, Apt-get, or Aptitude to CD/DVD. Essentially, it provides you with your own portable repository. This also works wonders if you have several computers and don’t have the bandwidth to pull down the same packages from the Internet for each computer."
  • contradictator, on 12/27/2008, -0/+3I know, and honestly, that was a big issue. Hunting down codecs and installing apps is taken care on Mint, especially with MintInstall and MintUpdate, The distro is ready to watch/listen to anything off the bat, and if anything is missing, it's a snap to go get it!
  • Avian00, on 12/29/2008, -0/+3I have a lot of respect for Linux Mint. They are always innovating, and they clearly take a lot of pride in their product. Other distros should take notice.
  • SasquatchBill, on 12/27/2008, -1/+4I agree. No matter how much of a tangent I was on, nor if I forgot the apostrophe.

    Oh, unless of course she's dead. Then I guess burial is an okay idea.
  • inactive, on 12/27/2008, -0/+3Don't know why you are being dugg down.
    It matters not what version of Linux you use,as long as you are pleased with it.
    My favorites are Mint,Mepis and Cosmosis Linux.
  • lowtolerance, on 12/27/2008, -0/+3Learning linux is far from useless. Programmers, 3d animators, hackers(the real ones), security buffs, and people who like to customize things all swear by it, and not because it's free, but because it's powerful, modular, and scalable. It's not for everyone, but the learning curve is nothing compared to what it was 10 years ago. The fact that its free is really just a huge plus.

    By the way, lots of people want to be server admins. There are entire schools devoted to networking.
  • johndavidjack, on 12/27/2008, -0/+3"Windows has a greater support for hardware, but I bet my ass that windows has less hardware support out of the box compared to any modern and popular linux distribution."

    This is absolutely correct. I get better hardware support out of the box with linux, and even Solaris than SP 0 Win XP. Plus, I think it's easier to identify and correct hardware problems with a *nix OS. That being said, once Windows is at SP2, I think it has great hardware support. Windows is great for packaged computers; out of the box working when the factory or retailer does all of the dirty work...
  • syst3m3ltdown, on 12/27/2008, -0/+3i have 512mb of ram with mint, only 80 mb being used when idle. i have yet to find a reason to get more
  • mrBitch, on 12/27/2008, -0/+3Linux Mint is (essentially) Ubuntu + proprietary codecs pre-installed.
  • Sakumi, on 12/27/2008, -0/+3bruenig this attitude is what has made linux hard to approach for most people. The end users should just be concerned with "does it work out of the box" and "does this have all the basic applications i need" and not "what version of the kernel is included, as I need wireless to work with my Intel xxx chipset based wifi card".

    barius has it right :)
  • inactive, on 12/27/2008, -1/+4"r3negadeX.. not everyone wants to follow the crowd and jump on the Ubuntu bandwagon"

    Then they shouldn't complain when they're forced to use the command line / google

    "The color scheme alone is enough to turn off anyone with taste :P"

    Which you can change under System -> Preferences -> Appearance

    "Obviously, they must being lying as well.. since their experience is different than yours.. and you're the defacto standard after all."

    Because that's what Ubuntu's video player is programmed to do, dumbass. So yes, I guess I am "the defacto standard"...along with every other single person who's ever used Hardy Heron / Intrepid Ibex.
  • m0deth, on 12/28/2008, -0/+3I run Mint 5 on a Dell Inspiron 1100, with 512mb ram...and have noticed slowdowns with many apps open.

    In my case I know some of this is due to crap open source i845G drivers, but some is the mem. limitation.

    I reduced visual settings a tad, limited it to two desktops to keep me in check(I overtask alot), and it now runs somewhat better than before. It still runs as well if not better than straight ubuntu of same release code...and did make the initial setup of the laptop very easy, especially the terminology used to get ndiswrapper up and going with windows xp wireless card drivers. That step alone for this laptop w/Linux was a huge improvement for someone like "Grandma".

    So, in two steps, 1: OS setup. 2: wireless install and cfg., I was up and streaming video from my HTPC server, updating my blog, and happily exploring apps provided. All in 30 minutes or so from fresh hard drive install. That right there beats the snot out of most OS's I've used for getting going right off. Well, for the uninitiated, as some legwork by those with experience can and most likely will end up with a better result in pretty much any OS, but surely not in two steps.
  • canthraxp, on 12/27/2008, -0/+3People always compare a year old installed version of windows xp with a newly installed OS. Seriously, I also thought that windows was amazingly stable, until I had to reinstall from Service Pack 0, had to look for all my driver cds, since the drivers weren't available online.

    Windows has a greater support for hardware, but I bet my ass that windows has less hardware support out of the box compared to any modern and popular linux distribution.
  • inactive, on 12/27/2008, -0/+3Depends on what version of Linux you are using. I installed my video card driver for the latest version of Cosmosis last night. I didn't have to use the command line. The interface was gui...Two clicks and I was done.
    The codecs were pre installed.
    It also looks for the latest drivers about once a month during boot up.
    Running Cosmosis now.
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