• Linux mint 18.2 kernel version

    About the release of the beta version of Linux MInt 18.2 MATE. And just yesterday a message about the release appeared on the official developer blog full version distribution. Several versions of the OS with different desktops were released: KDE, MATE and Xfce. It was also stated that Linux Mint 18.2 is a long-term release that will be supported until 2021.

    What's new in Linux Mint 18.2

    Each desktop environment has its own improvements in new version, which you can read about on the official website of the developers. If we consider desktops, we have the following components: Xfce 4.12, MATE 1.18, KDE Plasma 5.8. Core operating system represented by Linux kernel version 4.8.0-53. The set of programs and libraries contains the Ubuntu 16.04 package base. The Brasero application is still available in the repositories, but it is no longer installed on the system by default. The root account is now locked by default, however you can use sudo with your your own password by typing “sudo -i” in the terminal. apt now supports the "markauto" and "markmanual" commands to mark packages as installed automatically or manually, respectively.

    System Requirements

    Here I indicate the requirements for the KDE Plasma 5.8 desktop, because it is the most “heavy” among other DEs.

    • 2GB RAM
    • 15GB free space on your hard drive (20GB is recommended)
    • Screen resolution 1024x768 (at lower resolutions, press ALT to drag windows with the mouse if they don't fit on the screen).

    Desktop wallpaper

    Well, as usual, not boring wallpapers in Linux.

    How to upgrade to Linux Mint 18.2

    You will just need to use the update manager to apply available updates. The Manager icon is located in the system tray in the lower right corner of the desktop. Double click LMB calls up the update window.

    An update window will appear, in which we simply press the “Next” button until the program asks for the administrator password. Enter the password and wait until the necessary packages for the update are downloaded. Don’t forget to put a cross to indicate that you agree that we really want to update.

    After the packages are downloaded and installed, you will need to reboot for the changes to take effect.

    Notes on the upgrade process

    • Although Linux Mint 18.2 has a new kernel, this update will not install it. The decision to update the kernel is up to you.
    • The same goes for selecting the display manager or selecting software. Brasero will not be removed and MDM will not be replaced with LightDM.
    • It is recommended to disable the screensaver before updating. If the screensaver activates during the update and you can't log into it, then switch to the console using CTRL + ALT + F1, log in and type "killall cinnamon-screensaver" (or "killall mate-screensaver" in MATE). Use CTRL + ALT + F7 or CTRL + ALT + F8 to return to the session.

    Download Linux Mint 18.2

    You can download the operating system on the official download page. Or use the program to download torrent files from the link on the downloads page.

    That's all for now. I hope the new release of Linux Mint 18.2 will be as stable as previous versions. And judging by the logic of releases, another version 18.3 will be waiting for us, and then the 19th release.

    Linux Mint 18.3 Cinnamon is one of the most convenient and popular Linux distributions. Mint's goal is to create a modern, elegant and user-friendly operating system that is powerful and easy to use. This OS is best option for beginners who want to stop using and start exploring the world of Linux. After all, after installation the user receives the maximum simple system, which is already configured and ready to go. You don't need to download and install drivers, main software, codecs, etc. And if the missing software does appear, then it can be simply downloaded from the Program Manager (something like Google Play).

    If you have not yet decided to install Linux Mint on your computer, then you can run it directly from your media ( optical disk or USB) and become familiar with the main aspects. It's absolutely free, so click quickly download Linux Mint 18.3 Cinnamon via torrent and forget forever about using activators and entering keys. There are practically no viruses for Linux, so when working with it you can feel quite safe without any antiviruses. Cinnamon is the main desktop environment in our distribution, which is considered lightweight, functional and simply beautiful. There is a traditional look and many features from the Windows interface, and memory consumption in a quiet state is limited to 500 megabytes.

    Version: 18.3 Sylvia (Cinnamon)
    Bit capacity: x64
    Developer: Clement Lefebvre and the community
    Language: Russian, English and many others
    Treatment: Not required

    Screenshots:

    Reasons for Linux Mint's success:

    • It works out of the box, with full media support, and is extremely easy to use;
    • It is free and open source;
    • A large community where members can provide feedback to the project so that their ideas can be used to improve Linux Mint;
    • It is based on Ubuntu and Debian and also offers about 30,000 packages and one of best managers software;
    • It is safe and reliable. Thanks to its conservative approach to software updates, its unique update manager and the robustness of the Linux architecture, it requires very little maintenance time.

    The head of the development team, Clement Lefebvre, approved the release of images to a wider audience on July 2, 2017. Interestingly, the release of the new version of Mint coincided with updates to the main desktop environments Cinnamon and MATE, as well as alternatives KDE and Xfce.

    Clement Lefebvre commented on the release:

    Linux Mint 18.2 is a version with long-term technical support until 2021. The distribution comes with updated software and includes improvements and new features that make your desktop even more convenient to use.

    Linux Mint 18.2 comes with the latest versions of Cinnamon 3.4, MATE 1.18, KDE Plasma 5.8 LTS and Xfce 4.12 desktop shells. The distribution is based on the Ubuntu 16.04 LTS codebase and the Linux 4.8 kernel. LightDM is used as an authorization manager for Cinnamon. Software Applications Sources, Update Manager and XApps have received numerous improvements.

    Now that work on Linux Mint 18.2 (Sonya) is complete, development of the next major version of Linux Mint 18.3 begins. Clement Lefebvre invites developers to think about new interesting features and projects that they would like to implement in the upcoming release.

    In the update manager, select the “Check for updates” button to start checking the new version of mintupdate and mint-upgrade-info. If updates are available for these packages, install them.

    Start the system update by selecting Edit > Update to "Linux Mint 18.2 Sonya".

    Follow the instructions on the screen.

    After the system update is complete, restart your computer.

    Additional information:

    • Although Linux Mint 18.2 has a new kernel, this update does not change the kernel on your behalf. This decision must be made by the user.
    • The same goes for choosing a graphics manager or choosing software. Brasero will not be removed and MDM will not be switched to LightDM on your behalf. You can apply these changes yourself, but this is not required.
    • It is recommended to disable the screensaver before updating. If the screensaver activates during the update and you are unable to log in, switch to the console using CTRL + ALT + F1 , log in and enter killall cinnamon-screensaver(or killall mate-screensaver in MATE). Use CTRL + ALT + F7 or CTRL + ALT + F8 to return to the session.

    How to switch from MDM to LightDM

    First install LightDM by typing the following commands in a terminal:

    Apt install slick-greeter lightdm-settings

    When asked to choose a default display manager, select LightDM.

    Then remove MDM and reboot by entering the following commands into the terminal:

    apt remove mdm

    sudo reboot

    Found a typo? Press Ctrl + Enter

    Let's agree that Linux Mint is the best Linux desktop distribution. In 2017, Linux Mint is what Ubuntu was in 2008. With Cinnamon and MATE Linux Mint is simple and intuitive for beginners, and has received widespread acceptance, high ratings and popularity.

    The version with Cinnamon is intended for modern computers and users who prefer modern graphical environments. It is much more graphically intensive and requires more resources, which can slow down the work by a lot. weak computers. This is where the MATE version comes to the rescue. Mate was previously a popular graphical front-end for Gnome 2. It requires less resources and runs much better on older computers. So, let's take a look at the MATE Linux Mint edition.


    Download and Linux installation Mint 18.2 Sonya

    Installation Linux distributions It's getting easier and easier. Download Linux image Mint 18.2 Sonya from here , then do boot disk or a USB flash drive using tools such as Etcher on Linux or Rufus on Windows. There is an OEM installation option that allows OEMs to easily set up new computers with Mint ready to use.

    The installation process is very simple. All you need to do is specify location, keyboard and language settings, set sections and create accounts users. The process will last no more than two minutes.

    Desk

    Once loaded, you will see a clean desktop with a few icons in the top left corner. At the bottom of the desktop there is a panel containing application menus and several icons quick launch and notification area.

    MATE was developed by enthusiasts who loved GNOME2, which was Ubuntu's main desktop before the move to Unity. It provides users with a familiar desktop experience that works just like Cinnamon or WIndows XP(7).

    Linux Mint 18.2 has absolutely new screen login. It uses the LightDM session manager by default.

    Programs

    Linux Mint 18.2 has a very good set applications. The distribution is based on Ubuntu 16.04 LTS and comes with Linux kernel 4.8. Other applications include LibreOffices 5, GIMP, Mozilla Firefox and Thunderbird. Also programs specifically designed for Linux Mint, such as Xed, Xplayer and Xreader.

    You can always easily additional programs using Software Manager.

    Settings

    Like most other distributions, Linux Mint 18.2 Sonya allows you to produce fine tuning. You can customize Linux Mint MATE using themes. By default, there are different theme options Mint X and Mint Y.


    You can install additional themes downloaded online. You can also customize bottom panel By moving it to different positions, you can hide it or shrink it to a smaller dock in the center. You can also change the background of the panel.

    Compiz effects

    You also get a CompizConfig settings manager out of the box, which allows you to configure Compiz effects for the MATE desktop. Effects available include Desktop Cube, Fade to Desktop, Rotate desktop, 3D Windows and more.

    I was surprised that the number and composition of the settings did not correspond to what I had seen earlier in Ubuntu MATE, given that the MATE desktop was first developed for this distribution. The guys from Ubuntu MATE add the MATE tweak tool, which allows you to make additional settings.

    Updates

    One of the advantages of Linux Mint over other distributions, especially Ubuntu, is the way it handles updates. By using additional settings users can choose between upgrading the entire system, just the major ones, or a balance between the two.

    Finally, I got to the Linux Mint distribution and now I’m reviewing the latest (as of November 2017) release of Linux Mint 18.2. Just like all other distributions, I checked Linux Mint in Live mode, that is, loading the OS from ISO image, without installation on your computer. Linux Mint is a slightly re-cut Ubuntu by enthusiasts. Specifically, the version of Mint 18.2 is Ubuntu 16.04, therefore, as the review progresses, I will compare Mint with Ubuntu.

    Linux Mint uses two main graphical shells - MATE (cut Gnome 2) and Cinnamon (cut Gnome 3). I tested Linux Mint with the Cinnamon shell because Gnome 2 is clearly outdated.

    Burning Linux Mint 18.2 to a USB flash drive

    I burned the distribution image onto a flash drive using the Universal-USB-Installer program, version 1.9.7.9. On the official Mint website they advise writing the image to a flash drive using this program or the dd command.

    However, dd immediately goes into the firebox, because it will make the flash drive unwritable. And subsequently you will have to make extra movements to restore the flash drive. While Universal-USB-Installer writes the image to file system FAT32 and the flash drive remains a flash drive. And for subsequent use of this flash drive it will be enough to simply remove Linux files Mint from her.

    Linux Mint 18.2 boot menu

    Just like in Ubuntu 16.04, the boot menu in Mint is hidden by the splash screen and is called Esc key. But the Mint menu is more modest in functionality than in Ubuntu. There is no way to specify kernel parameters by simply selecting options from a list. You need to manually edit the parameter line, and not everyone can do this.

    In addition, in Linux Mint 18.2 there is no option to select the interface language - only English. In Ubuntu 16.04, in the boot menu, you can select the Russian language and the entire interface will be in Russian.

    Functionality of Linux Mint 18.2

    The functionality is generally ok. Like Ubuntu, there are no media codecs, but if the Internet is available, they are installed.

    Latest version Firefox - 54. There is LibreOffice, there is a torrent application, there is gparted. In general, the set of applications is almost the same as in Ubuntu.

    As for the functionality of the Cinnamon shell, it is inferior to both Unity and Gnome 3 Shell.

    I would say that Cinnamon is somewhere not very far from sad shit. Gray colors, borrowed from Mac OS X, a primitive menu.

    In general, everything is somehow sad. I wasn’t even interested in delving into the details or studying. Although I can't say that Cinnamon sucks, like the shell in the Astra Linux Common Edition 1.9 distribution. No, Cinnamon is not a bad shell. But both Gnome Shell and Unity are better.

    The Unity shell used in Ubuntu 16.04 is both more beautiful and more functional.

    Linux Mint 18.2 Problems

    What was discovered during about 30 minutes of study:

    • An attempt to share a folder (via Samba) gave an error. For comparison, in Ubuntu 16.04, if the Internet is available, Samba is downloaded and installed and files can be made available over the network.
    • Trying to install Adobe flash plugin from the Adobe website, via APT URL, gave an error. For comparison, this works on Ubuntu 16.04.
    • Keyboard screenshots don't work. The keys are defined in the settings, but nothing happens.
    • It is not clear how to add program shortcuts to the Quick Launch panel. It is clear that such a possibility should exist, but apparently you need to go somewhere deeper into the settings. For comparison, in Gnome Shell and Unity this functionality is right on the surface.
    • IN Firefox settings, in the list of search engines there is neither Google nor Yandex. And add a new one search engine it is forbidden. Yahoo is used as a search engine. To understand how stupid this Yahoo is, when you search for “cinnamon desktop” it shows hotel and health sites in the first positions.
    • The text editor, when closing the window, prompts you to save the file. When I select "Save", it saves the file, but the editor window does not close after that.

    Speed

    Subjectively, Cinnamon is a little faster than Unity. But not radically. As for RAM consumption, it is the same, under equal conditions. At four running programs(Firefox without sites, text editor, file manager And system monitor):

    • 1.2 GB in Linux Mint 18.2
    • 1.1 GB on Ubuntu 16.04

    Resume

    It turns out that Linux Mint 18.2 is a degraded copy of Ubuntu 16.04. Although in general this good distribution. Without a doubt, you can use this distribution. After all, it's not so easy to ruin Ubuntu LTS :)

    I don't want to say that Linux Mint 18.2 is a bad distribution. But Ubuntu 16.04 is clearly better. In addition to the problems that I wrote about, you can also add a level technical support and the level of developers. Ubuntu is developed and supported by a very serious commercial company. Mint is the work of enthusiasts.

    Mint or Ubuntu

    Actually, I always had a question - why is this Linux Mint needed at all? That's why I didn't review this distribution for so long, I had doubts whether it was worth spending time on it at all.

    So, why does this Linux Mint even need it? After all, this is a copy of Ubuntu. But why use a copy if the original is available?

    Dislike for Ubuntu, or for Shuttleworth, cannot be a reason to use Mint, because simple reason that Mint is the same Ubuntu “under the hood”.

    Only in one case - if you are categorically allergic to Unity or Gnome 3 Shell and at the same time you do not want to waste time installing MATE or Cinnamon in Ubuntu.

    Well, what other reasons could there be?

    If you live in Krasnodar and are passionate about installing Linux Mint or just “touch” it - call or write:

    Ivan Sukhov, 2017

    If you found this article useful or simply liked it, then do not hesitate to financially support the author. This is easy to do by throwing money at Yandex Wallet No. 410011416229354. Or on the phone +7 918-16-26-331 .

    Even a small amount can help write new articles :)

    Read more: