Linux Mint 8
Bundled Software
Here’s a sampling of some of the software included in this release:
Graphics
GIMP
OpenOffice.org Drawing
Scanner Utility
Internet
Firefox
Giver
Mozilla Thunderbird
Pidgin IM
Sun Java 6 Web Start
Transmission
XChat IRC
Multimedia
Brasero
Gnome MPlayer
Totem Movie Player
Rhythmbox
Sound Recorder
Office
OpenOffice.org Database
OpenOffice.org Spreadsheet
OpenOffice.org Word Processor
OpenOffice.org Presentation
Linux Mint comes with a good selection of software. Most of your computing needs will probably be met without needing to add much software but if you need to, it shouldn’t be a problem (see the managing software section).
One of the first things I did was to check Software Manager for Google’s Chrome browser. I was disappointed but not really surprised to see it wasn’t available. I downloaded it from Google’s Chrome page instead and added it to my Linux Mint 8 system.
So far I’m extremely impressed with Chrome in Linux (and on Mac OS X and Windows). It is much faster than Firefox and I think it’s a good candidate for inclusion in all distros at this point. Until Firefox begins to match its performance, Chrome will be my default browser. I hope to see Chrome included by default in the next release of Linux Mint.
Managing Software
Adding & Removing Software
Managing software in Linux Mint is very easy. Just click the Linux Mint menu button on the panel at the bottom of your desktop and choose Software Manager. I noted some of the changes to Software Manager above in the earlier part of the review.
Suffice to say that using Software Manager is very easy and even newbies to Linux Mint 8 shouldn’t have problems adding or removing software as it’s a very comfortable tool to use.
Software Repositories
Linux Mint 8 makes it easy to add additional software repositories. Click the Linux Mint menu button then Administration then Software Sources; then choose Other Software and click the Add button; then type in the apt line to add your repository to Software Sources.
The default repositories include Linux Mint’s own (listed under the Linux Mint Software tab) and other repositories (including Canonical’s) are listed under the Other Software tab.
- Browse the Linux Mint 8 software manager to add more applications.
(26 votes, average: 4.50 out of 5)
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- Linux Mint 9 Xfce
Good detail on the install vs. running requirements. Most folks would have never caught that.
Speaking of rolling your own. I noticed over at the Susestudio.com site that if you choose openSuse 11.1 Gnome, you get a very similar desktop to Mint with the menu on the bottom etc… I just wonder if there is some cross collaboration going on there or something?
Interesting that you find Chrome to be a better browser. I’ve found that with a few tweaks (found here http://www.tuxradar.com/content/make-linux-faster-and-lighter) that Firefox smokes Chrome on Mint 8. Chrome is noticeably slower loading pages…plus I don’t care much for its interface. I think Firefox is the way to go for the installed browser with Chrome available through the Software Manager.
hmm Very nice post and pic thx…
I just said again over on the ExtremeTech site that Mint remains my choice for first-time Linux people. It really does “just work”, at least on my hardware. (System 76 laptop. Same experience with Asus laptop) This the best Gnome implementation and until KDE 4.3.2 came along I had called it the single best Linux desktop. (Not that I am an authority on such things!)
Mas, I am not sure Mint and Suse collaborate. The Suse “slab” came earlier. Looks to me as though Clement saw it and decided to go it one better. And he did. But we ought to let a Mint person tell us if you are right.
Jim, your new format is good, thank you for that. If anything is missing it is an assessment of wireless capability, but I understand the virtual machine problem. Still, with more and more laptops being sold it is a concern. And easy wireless remains a question, though if Mint uses Network Manager it will not be a problem.
Codecs? Well there is this question of legality for Americans. It seems to me Linux needs some solution other than the “across the pond” dodge. Distros concerned about the legal exposure n the U.S. do not install them by default. Silly situation? Yup, but so it is.
Linux Mint is a great distro for beginners. Of course as stated before the legality of some codecs in the U.S. is always a concern.
It really sucks in the U.S. because of government stupidity but that’s another story. 
I’m not really a fan of the Mint menu setup but it is great for someone coming from the Windows environment. They get the superiority of Gnome with the familiarity of MS Windows. The only problem I have with Linux Mint is the way it handles software updates and software installs. Mint doesn’t really go for the newest software updates and is kind of conservative in that regard like Debian. That is just find and dandy and not a bad thing. Just don’t update using something like Synaptic. Just use their tools and there should be no problems. I use Ubuntu on my computer and my wife using Linux Mint and Windows XP.(She is hooked on hidden object games and uses XP for that)We do have Mint in the house. Overall Linux Mint 8 is a very nice re-spin and deserves the score it got.
Linux Mint is one of three distributions that ought to be on the short list of consideration for those who want a plug it in and it works kind of experience with very simple management. Mint is one; SimplyMEPIS and PCLinuxOS are the other two. A few others come close.
What, no Superman DVD this time? What about the classic Led Zeppelin with the “chainsaw” guitar, “Whole Lotta Love”? :-)
The lack of Chrome Browser is a Pro, not a Con, as the Chrome Browser is absolutely and undeniably a 5th rate browser, and nowhere near ready for use. It does not render websites correctly, is nowhere near fast, and crashes constantly. Firefox 3.7 Pre-Alpha is a better browser.
“In Mint Synaptic is crippled. It shows all the software updates but the Select All Updates button is greyed out.”
Apparently someone doesnt read much. That button has been removed because upgrading outside of “Mint Update” (ie using apt-get upgrade or synaptic) can cause problems with Mint. You can still use it to install any and all applications that are available in your selected repositories, you just cannot use it to upgrade. Use Mint Update and you will have a much more stable system.
I have Chrome on my Mint 8 install, but I always revert back to Swiftfox (a custom version of Firefox geared towards specific proc. families!). If you haven’t tried Swiftfox, then give it a spin, I wish it was the default browser personally!
All in all though, Mint 8 is GREAT! Can’t wait until Mint 10 though, that will be the LTS for Mint.