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19-07-2020, 11:31 AM
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Linux Mint 20

Linux Mint 20 was recently released. The upgrade path from 19.3 to 20 looked kind of complicated. That's possibly only because of some unfamiliarity with Mint upgrades. It's not an automated process as with Windows upgrades but that would suit many I'd think.

All in all, it seemed easier to back-up files, download the .iso for Mint 20, put it on a USB stick, boot up and install version 20 afresh. Put the backed-up file onto the disk in the appropriate folders once done.

As usual with Linux, it comes with Firefox, Thunderbird (e-mail program), LibreOffice pre-installed along with other useful programs for everyday computer needs.

Something missing that was in the previous version is being able to install Chromium (like Chrome) as a package. It can be installed but not with a click of a button anymore. It needs steps too complicated for most people to do. Since Firefox works well, there maybe isn't a need to bother.

A couple of programs I've added to it are:

Gimp - Photo editor.
Lollypop - Music organiser and player.

Anyway, Linux Mint 20 works well. The Desktop background can be changed but this is the default appearance..

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19-07-2020, 12:26 PM
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Re: Linux Mint 20

I had Mint running on an older Dell laptop and it was fine. Originally it had Vista to give some idea of its age - I did run Ubuntu on it for quite a while too. I have since given that laptop to a friend to watch videos on something it does very well.

Now I have a spare Lenovo laptop, it originally ran WIN 7 but now runs Win 10 however I don't think it handles 10 very well so I am considering changing it to MINT.

A lot of the open source software is now written for Linux as well as Windows so it can run a lot of the stuff I use like Shotcut. OBS, VLC etc as well as GIMP and Scribus. It is certainly becoming a reasonably viable alternative to Windows especially now major printer and device manufacturers are offering Linux drivers (it is a pity M$ never will support it)

I might have a look at Mint 20 for it because otherwise it sits unused. Thanks for mentioning it
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19-07-2020, 02:12 PM
3

Re: Linux Mint 20

Linux Mint comes with its usual 3 Desktop style choices, which always causes me a dilemma. I usually install 'Cinnamon'. I once put some software on (can't remember the name) that allowed changing to another style and I tried 'Xfce'. I didn't like it so much and went back to Cinnamon. Kind of Windows 7-ish in appearance and behaviour.

Here's a page that describes the differences..

https://linuxmint-installation-guide...st/choose.html
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21-07-2020, 03:48 PM
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Re: Linux Mint 20

I have been using Mint with the MATE desktop which is more or less like the old Gnome desktop , which I used to like. Cinnamon is fine but to get all the bells and whistles working, I needed more computing power than my old PC was willing to offer.
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21-07-2020, 05:22 PM
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Re: Linux Mint 20

I know what you mean Devo. It does need a halfway decent computer for the OS to run smoothly.

I've got Mint with the Cinnamon Desktop installed on an older HP laptop. It ought to be OK with an i5 processor, Nvidia graphics and 8GB of RAM but even so, the computer gets very sluggish sometimes.

I can't get on with the laptop's touchpad and use a cordless mouse (with USB dongle). If I also plug in a USB 3.0 external drive, everything slows right down. I can overcome the sluggishness by using a corded mouse instead.

I've always put that down to hardware but do you think it could be because the Cinnamon Desktop is heavier on resources?
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21-07-2020, 10:34 PM
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Re: Linux Mint 20

It could well be but isn't that the problem with old hardware trying to run modern software anyway?
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21-07-2020, 11:10 PM
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Re: Linux Mint 20

I thought the advantage of running Linux was that it required less computing power than Windows hence its use on older computers.

If that is not true then I can see no advantage in using it. It's a bit disappointing.
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22-07-2020, 08:39 AM
8

Re: Linux Mint 20

Originally Posted by Bruce ->
I thought the advantage of running Linux was that it required less computing power than Windows hence its use on older computers.

If that is not true then I can see no advantage in using it. It's a bit disappointing.
Linux provides a cost-free way to avoid Windows and Microsoft. I think that's primarily why people turn to it. It's good for that purpose because it runs programs that let people do nearly everything they use a Windows computer for.

Linux does have the reputation of being able to run on any computer and I read some Linux variants are better at that than others. However, the "I've got and old computer doing nothing, so I might give it a try" may turn out not to give a good impression of Linux Mint. It runs well on the computer I have it on except under the circumstances mentioned.

Mint is the OS most likely to please those going from Windows to Linux in my opinion because it could be thought to have a Windows 7-like look and feel to it. Not much (if any) action is needed in Linux's 'Terminal'.

If it was to become my main OS, I'd put in on my newer computer and I think it would run well.
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02-08-2020, 02:16 PM
9

Re: Linux Mint 20

Originally Posted by mart ->
Linux provides a cost-free way to avoid Windows and Microsoft. I think that's primarily why people turn to it. It's good for that purpose because it runs programs that let people do nearly everything they use a Windows computer for.
I've tried several flavours of Linux over the years including Mint but that nearly has always been the gotcha. Some device or other that works on Windows that despite following umpteen convoluted procedures you find on t'internet you can't get working or maybe some specialised bit of software that is Windows only and Wine won't work for some reason.

I do run a webserver on a Raspberry Pi hosting some personal apps and getting that set up was easy enough by following instructions from websites but possibly not for somebody with zero past experience.

This image is hosted on it and I use it as a sig on a board that allows that. It updates as and when it is served so will normally be correct.
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03-08-2020, 10:08 AM
10

Re: Linux Mint 20

Hello digitalham

To me, Windows 10 is the best OS but for those who don't think much of it, Linux Mint can make a good alternative. As you say, there can be aspects that don't match up to Windows but I think it would be good enough for many.

Installing printers used to give me trouble but this seems to be largely sorted out now. My wireless HP 5532 was just detected and installed. No separate download for me to do.

I think it depends on what the computer is used for but if people are prepared to leave their favourite Windows programs behind (I've never had that much success with WINE), there is nearly always a Linux alternative, perhaps not as polished in appearance as Windows programs but still good and functional.

For Photoshop or Elements use Gimp. For office requirements use LibreOffice. Facebook and other social media are browser-based, so use Firefox for them. Kindle has a Cloud reader and Firefox can be used for that too. Skype can be installed using the software manager. There are programs for playing and editing music with a large number of supported formats. For drawing use Inkscape. Videos can be played. Emails can be sent and opened.

I'm sure the above is all that most people need to do on a computer and so Linux would be a good OS for those who don't like Windows and Microsoft in general.

I'm pretty sure I could use Linux all the time but being happy with Windows 10, I don't need to.
 
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