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A tour by Linux Mint ,Analysis and explanation of the new

The tenth version of Linux Mint is already among us, and is a particularly interesting distro that beyond based on the work of Canonical, to add features (many almost indispensable to today) and polished distro various aspects of their mother, now has begun to define their own way, yeah, Mint undertake their own journey on par with Ubuntu.


And is that Linux Mint will move away from the revolutionary concepts posed Desktop Unity and GNOME Shell in shortly, and offers to become "the traditional alternative" that many are already receiving with open arms.

Without doubt, Mint can make a big way between the public and that is why I try to make this limited review, that far from being technically exhaustive, aims to help and informative guide to one of the most polished distros for end users recently.

The start and first impressions


The first thing we emphasize is its careful look, feel they are concerned about keeping from the very type GRUB boot menu, and continues with a rather elegant Plymouth, where we select the first option, which is recommended for most cases.

Once on the desktop can notice the gray tone adopted version 10 of the Mint on this occasion, than the deep green characteristic of earlier versions. We may also note from the new metallic theme that comes with this issue and its icons, details discussed later.

Another highlight is the way in which orders Mint desktop items, as it has done "forever", your desktop is different from classic GNOME much closer to the design of Windows and although I am more accustomed to the first, Mint approach continues to be good for Windows users who are accustomed to the distribution of elements on the screen.


Turning to the installation, you'll notice that is identical to that of Ubuntu Maverick Meerkat, same steps, same partitioning, with filling of data during the copying of files, etc. in short anything different from what seen so far in the meerkat, so you can find installation instructions in any installation guide or manual of Ubuntu 10.10 swarming the net.

applications and accessories that use Linux Mint are different and all this content is renewed and adapted to the distro as expected.

After installation and restart the system, we see another nice touch, a welcome window with shortcuts to various information resources available to Linux Mint on the network, plus the offer of upgrade to DVD automatically. As good distro "end user" Mint takes nothing for granted.

Visual Aspects


The default GTK theme is Mint-X-Metal and as the name suggests this is metallic theme with touches of green, but turns out to be quite sober and elegant, but turns out to be quite sober and very elegant and also sings perfectly monochromatic icons toolbars of different GNOME applications. While for many, be sure to note a fairly Maquera tone in all this.

The icon theme is pretty good, a Faenza style that is "sticking" for a good time is included by default in the distro, while respecting the monochromatic style of Ubuntu on the panel and as I mentioned, the bars tools. Overall, the theme is called Mint-X.

As for the rest of the themes, icons and wallpaper including "factory" is not much to say, includes the basics,
in both images as themes, but if you look around you can find a theme that is also Aurora pretty good and perhaps a more vivid picture in the background, but we ...

Linux Mint essentially maintains the touch fresh, elegant and minimalist, and characteristic of this distro, but surely this time focused on elegance as the first value, with a sober and soft GTK theme that may just need a little contrast More on the color palette, but apart from that fulfills to perfection in design, and space and speed.

Features that make the difference


Logically, there are features that make it different from its origin Ubunteros, the eternally relevant: including audio and video codecs, add-ons by default as Flash and Java tools and utilities additional configuration, the aforementioned look and a different set of applications , which will highlight later.

In this special something that catches my attention is the application specially created and adapted by them as Software Manager, an Application Manager which includes a ranking by importance, the backup tool of Mint, and Desktop Configuration.

Also noteworthy is the inclusion of certain applications of the default settings, as the Administrator Compiz Options and Simple Compiz Configurator, also
Gufw firewall, Hardinfo, APTonCD and tools to control audio Press among others.

And finally, as mentioned at the beginning, how elements are distributed on the desktop, with a single bottom panel and a few applets, which highlights the hallmark of Linux Mint, the Mint Menu, a smart menu, with search in real time and place shortcuts to applications and tools, and even to central control, a menu certainly very practical, but still has some sharp edges.

Application set "default"


Another key differentiator. As we know, Linux can finally add or remove programs that you want, but no less annoying and in some cases difficult to do cleanly. Thinking about it, Mint total popular vote to your choice of applications:

Starting with those who are common to both distributions: Firefox as default browser, Gwibber as social networking client, the suite of OpenOffice complete, Rhythmbox and Totem for media playback , Simple Scan, BitTorrent client Transmission ,and Brazier as disc recorder..

Also added to this selection Gnome Player, the "disappeared" GIMP, Xchat IRC client, the configuration tool Nautilus actions and Giver for file sharing.


While there are replacements in the mail client in this case Thunderbird instead of Evolution and the instant messaging client, where Pidgin replaces to Empathy.

Moreover Mint boasts one of the largest catalogs of available software and forth from Ubuntu and Debian turn is not surprising, it is actually fed enough applications to cope with many tasks and activities, far beyond standard selection of applications that comes with the distribution.

In summary, Mint has "factory" well-balanced 1 September, which complies with the essential (you have to think they are less than 700 Mb) and with the addition of codecs, Flash and Java acquired considerable autonomy. We thank the inclusion of GIMP and perhaps out of Evolution, which yes, leaves a void in the aspect of timing, or so to the RC. You may also notice the absence of a photo manager, although as is the hot topic, I think it's best to leave it.

"Ubuntizando" a Mint

At this point it might seem crazy "back to Ubuntu after seeing the values found Mint, however there are some aspects which I wish to know about Mint and Ubuntu, especially if you plan to replace Mint to Ubuntu at some point.

Ubuntu One, but not included by default, with a simple search for "ubuntu one" in the Synaptics package manager you can find everything you need to have the account settings, the client and even the music store on your Ubuntu player, either Rhythmbox or Banshee. It is a point that can be covered completely.

Ubuntu Tweak is also compatible with Mint, whether you like making small hacks to the system, adding repositories to blow or just click cleanings, you can count on Ubuntu Tweak in Linux Mint. Just noticed that there were few available repositories to add, but not really if you need to Mint or the version of Tweak, at least it's there.
 
addition Mint is compatible with Ubuntu PPAs system (logical with Tweak) and the traditional "sudo add-apt-repository", as evidence install from repositories 'nautilus-elementary' and 'dockbarx' and everything was luxurious . I see it as a good trait inherited from Ubuntu distro gives the "plus" to have easy access to many developments, especially the most recent and popular.


Finally, if the interface "mono-Panelite" still not convinced, you can add an extra panel, place it on top, add the menu bar applets indicators and indicators of the session, move the notification area next to above, remove the Mint menu and you have a Ubuntu desktop or traditional GNOME without problems.

Things that I need to see

Well, not that I have too much time (in fact very little) so I have all these tests done , but this power is limited and not allowed me to see certain little details, like running Plymouth with nVidia cards, the expected solution to the Wireless network problems that Maverick suffered with some cards and operation of clutterflow in Nautilus Elementary.

Of course, in these little evidence is not possible to measure more closely system stability or performance or S.O. performance but both aspects so far going well.

Finally ...

It's a great distro for end users (sounds like "is a good city car"), the integration of codecs, Java, Flash, incorporating some default programs and even the welcome message add value to the user experience while providing an interface that is simple and especially be familiar to those coming from Windows.

Special mention tools "made in Mint", which are still growing even more configuration capabilities and customization options of a GNOME desktop, and provides utilities that give greater control over the integrity of our system and files such as : Gufw, APTonCD and backup tool for Linux Mint.

Finally, nothing but congratulate those who made possible this distribution, have done a great job and now awaits an even bigger, are really taking an interesting way and the best is that they are offering one of the most important things: the ability to choose (and not just between Unity and GNOME Shell ).

Well, that's my brief analysis and my adventure, I am sure many of you are testing or using this distro what did you think this new version?

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