Review: Linux Mint 6

Linux Mint is one of those distributions you just can't help but love. Easy to use, stable, flexible, and so much more. Built from Ubuntu, it's been my mantra for a while that Linux Mint is “Ubuntu done right”, as I've had issue with Ubuntu and it's quality for a long time. But the better Mint gets, the bigger the shoes it has to fill each time. So, with the release of version 6, has Mint once more ascended the ladder of greatness, or has it slipped a rung or two? Let's take a peak and find out.

Whats New?

You almost can't talk about a new version of Linux Mint without first talking about what's new under the hood. This version of Linux Mint is based off Ubuntu 8.10, which uses the latest Linux 2.6.27 kernel, Gnome 2.24 and Xorg 7.4. Each of these are proven to be stable, quality versions that are designed to provide each user with the best possible experience. Add the latest version of Metacity on top of that, and a slightly revamped Mint Menu, and you've got quite a cutting edge desktop.Most of the basic design of the OS is the same design wise, however the Mint Menu has been slightly revamped in looks. It's not a major revamp, but more of an update to the eye candy. Another interesting addition to the installed version of Linux Mint is a “last successful boot” option. By my best understanding, this is essentially the same thing as “last known good configuration” in Windows. Essentially a recovery option that allows you to boot into Mint using a previous configuration should you do something (or a program you're working with) to damage the configuration files.Another big change that's come to Linux Mint is the update of their venerable Mint Install. The biggest, most noticeable update is a fairly sizable change in the user interface. It now operates more like Synaptic, rather than a command line installer. It also boasts a complete offline install mode, the ability to access install files from multiple portals (instead of just the Linux Mint homepage), and a lot more.An interesting addition to Linux Mint 6 is something called “Gnome Do”. It's sort of an eyecandied search tool of sorts that resides in the system tray. It's really not all that great, and doesn't search all that well, but it is an interesting playtoy.And on the subject of what's new, Mint Update has undergone a facelift. The buttons we once enjoyed at the bottom of the screen can now be found at the top. But that's not all. The developers have also added a complete update version history (ie, what updates have been made, how many times, on what program, when, etc.), proxy server configurations (to make updates behind a firewall possible), many other features, and a lot of bugfixes.Another, somewhat humorous addition, is Mint Nanny. Yes, I kid you not. That's it's name. What it's supposed to be is a web filter to keep your kids from going to sites you don't want them to go. The kicker is, it's not that good (*yet*) and the Mint developers admit that. But it's a start, and in time it should become a full fledged parental filter equal to many of the big name filters out there. But for now it's just getting started, and the developers are getting their feet wet in this area.Mint also has a new way to install itself, taking after the idea of Wubi (and likely repackages it), which allows you to install Linux Mint on a Windows partition. And would you believe, there's even a revamped logout/shutdown/reboot dialog? In all honesty, I love the new look. I like the old look as well, but the new look just seems simpler and a lot harder to screw up, and believe me, I've hit the wrong button plenty of times when trying to shut down. This new interface makes you stop, think, and then ultimately click the right button to do what you want to do.There's also a long list of other improvements and new software, including a very easy to use firewall configuration application, ClamAV, and many more. If you're interested in reading the full changelog and all new features, you can go over to the Linux Mint 6 “What's new” page to get all the details.

Installation

Installation is just as easy as you've come to expect it. Point, click, next is the order of the day. However, there's an interesting change to the installer in the disk preparation section. Instead of the old slidebar method of visualizing and adjusting drive space, the installer now uses a 3D bar graph, similar to what you'd see in a spreadsheet, to help you visualize how the drive will be partitioned, or if another partition already exists, how it will be repartitioned.This bar graph is divided into two sections, a before and after, to show you what you have now, and what you'll end up with if you continue your current course of actions. Playing with this a little bit was quite interesting. It's as though the developers took some of what Gparted does on the visual side, and added it to the installer. Now when you change how much space Mint 6 consumes, you can actually see a change in the bar for what the drive will look like after partitioning is done, which is quite interesting, and somewhat entertaining.I for one think this is a great way to help new users, unfamiliar with partitioning drives, to be able to edit and adjust the partitions on their computer when setting up Mint 6. Overall the install is just as fast and flawless as before, and really saw no problems. This likely has little to do with Mint, as the installer comes down from Ubuntu and is one of the best installers out there.

Overview

Overall I'm quite impressed with the desktop. They haven't really changed a lot, but as I listed above, the changes are quite well thought out and well done. The one thing though that bugs me, as it did with previous versions, is the huge number of updates required just after you get started. Linux Mint 6 has just been released, and there's already 169 updates to be had!! I really don't understand why so many updates are required on a distribution that's just been released, but you'll have to go through them none the less.There is one theory I have, and that involves the way Mint is developed. I have a feeling that the developers work until they reach a certain point, freeze all package updates going into the release version, and then concentrate on debugging the next release as updates begin piling up in the repositories. While I think that letting 169 updates go by without being addressed, I understand why they do it, if my guess about their reasoning for it is right.And on a side note, the new Mint Update is exceptional. A little odd, given what I'm used to, but the improvements are both welcome, and actually make things better for the end user.The application list for Mint 6 is just as good, if not slightly better, than it was for Mint 5. Interestingly enough though, Synaptic is back. It was yanked out of Mint 5 (well, the shortcut was, but the app was still there), but is now back for Mint 6.Hardware wise, everything was detected, installed, and ran perfectly. Wireless worked, network worked, video worked and had the right drivers, and it seemed to tweak itself to make the best use of the hardware. Now obviously the hardware I'm testing with is somewhat older, and definitely not bleeding edge, so your millage may vary, and some hardware may not yet be detected or supported yet. Especially for those with considerably newer hardware.A lot of that is due to the excellent hardware detection system used by Ubuntu, which Linux Mint has inherited. But if Linux Mint 6 works so well on my older hardware, it's not hard to believe that it'll also work great, if not exceptionally, on most newer hardware as well.

Conclusion

I'd give Linux Mint 6 a big thumbs up. There were a few things that annoyed me about it, but those are minor and easy to disable if you're willing to do a little tweaking. But out of the box it's quite nice. I've been repeatedly impressed with the Linux Mint developers before, and I'm still impressed with them.Also, while I didn't mention anything about the LiveCD (yes, it's cd sized this time, unlike before) like I normally do, I found it to be pretty good, but nothing special enough to mention it separately. Especially since it's essentially a perfect mirror if the installed system, features and all. But either way, if you're looking for a good distribution that's powerful, easy to use, easy to install, and full of lots of great features that works out of the box, I'd recommend Linux Mint. It's performed well every time (and improved quite a bit as well!) and has consistently gained my nod of approval since version 3.For more information, or to download the iso, feel free to check out the Linux Mint homepage, or their page at Distrowatch.

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