Program manager in linux mint 18.3. Reasons for the success of Linux Mint

Linux Mint 19.2 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 the best option for beginners who want to stop using and start getting acquainted with Linux world. 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 launch it directly from your media (optical disk or USB) and familiarize yourself with the main aspects. It's absolutely free, so click quickly download Linux Mint 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: 19.2 Tina (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.

Recently a new version was released Linux distribution Mint 18 Sarah. This is another huge step in the development of this excellent operating system based on Ubuntu. Linux Mint 18 is based on the LTS release of Ubuntu 16.04, in fact it will always be so, the next major version of Mint will be based only on LTS releases, and minor updates will take place locally without changing the main distribution. There are quite a few fixes and improvements in this version. We looked at all of them in the article "What's new in Linux Mint 18".

Among the main ones, we can note the new Mint-Y desktop environment theme and icons, the release of the Cinnamon 3.0 desktop environment, which has become much better recently, as well as improved scrolling using the touchpad: now it works the same as on Mac, with two fingers . This article will discuss installing Linux Mint 18 Sarah on a computer. We will walk you through the entire installation process step by step so that even a beginner can handle it.

System requirements

Minimum system requirements remained the same:

  • RAM: 512 MB
  • Disk space: 9 GB
  • Screen resolution: 1024x768, on smaller screens you can use Alt to move the window if it doesn't fit on the screen.

1024 MB is recommended random access memory and at least 20 GB of disk space for software installation. Linux Mint 18 comes in 64-bit and 32-bit versions. The 64-bit version can run on both BIOS and UEFI; for 32, only BIOS is suitable. The developers recommend using the 64-bit version on all modern computers.

Step 1. Upload the image

You can download the image of the architecture you need on the official website. We will install the version with the Cinnamon desktop environment:

Step 2. Burn the image to disk

To write an image to a flash drive, you can use unetbootin:

There is a great solution for this on Windows - Rufus:

Or the most reliable way for Linux, here sdb1 is your flash drive:

dd if=~/disk_image.iso of=/dev/sdb1

To write to an optical disc, you can use UltraISO or on Linux - K3b.

Step 3: Boot from media

Before you install Linux Mint 18, you need to enable booting from external media. To do this, restart the computer and, before the operating system starts to load, press F2, F8, Shift+F2 or Del several times. The BIOS menu will open in front of you, go to the tab Boot, then in the section 1st Boot Device select your flash drive or CD-ROM.

Don't forget that the flash drive must already be connected to the computer. Then go to the tab Exit and select Exit & Save Changes.

Step 4: Start downloading

Wait 10 seconds for the automatic download to begin:

Or press any key and select the first item in the menu:

Step 5. Working environment

After the download is complete, the working environment will open in front of us:

Step 6: Mint-Y Theme

I don’t know about you, but I want to try a new theme without waiting for the installation to complete, so right-click on the desktop and select Desktop Settings:

In the window that opens, the button Nback, and then open the item Themes. Here you need to set all components to Mint-Y:

Done: now we have new topic. Let's move on to installation.

Step 7. Start installation

Double click on the icon Install Linux Mint on the desktop:

Step 8: Language

Choose language. Scroll down the list to find Russian:

Step 9: Additional Components

Check the box to install Linux Mint 18 along with proprietary drivers for video cards and Wi-Fi adapters:

Step 10. Start partitioning the disk

If you have a blank disk, select Erase disk and install Linux MInt, if you need two operating systems or more fine tuning, choose Another variant and click next.

Step 11: New Partition Table

If the disk is clean, at this stage you need to create a partition table. There is a button of the same name for this.

Step 12: Boot Section

First, let's create a partition for the bootloader. Click the icon + , in the window that opens, select a partition size of 300 MB - you won’t need it anymore, file system ext2, mount point /boot. With the last parameter we tell the system that this partition should be used as a bootloader:

Step 13. System partition

I allocate at least 10 GB for the system partition because this is a test installation, but I recommend that you allocate at least 50 GB. The file system is ext4, but if you are no longer a beginner, you can use btrfs. The mount point is root /.

Step 14. Home section

The rest of the space is allocated for user files. The file system is optional, preferably ext4, the mount point is /home.

Step 15. Completing the markup

Click Start installation and check if everything is correct:

Step 16: Time Zone

Select your time zone:

Step 17: Keyboard Layout

Select your keyboard layout:

Step 18: Username

Create a new user who will use the system. Enter your name, possibly in Russian, computer name, only in English, and username, in English and with a small letter. Create a fairly complex password:

Step 19: Installation

Wait for the installation to complete. Installing Linux Mint 18 Sarah may take up to half an hour depending on the speed of your Internet connection:

Step 20: Reboot

Restart your computer:

Step 21. Media

Remove the installation media:

Linux Mint 18, this is the second long-term support release that is based on the package base Ubuntu 16.04 LTS. Beginning with Linux Mint 17, the distribution has switched to a new release generation scheme, using only releases Ubuntu with long term support (LTS). At the same time, intermediate releases Linux Mint will differ in the development of new versions of desktops Cinnamon And MATE, as well as backporting some new versions of programs, while maintaining compatibility with the repositories of the base Ubuntu LTS release. All episodes Linux Mint 18/18.1/18.2 And 18.3 will be supported until 2021 year, regardless of which version of the distribution you are currently using.

New features in Linux Mint 18

First of all, I would like to note that Linux Mint 18, this is the first release to feature multimedia codecs ( flash plugin for the Internet browser and codecs for common audio and video files) are not installed by default. This is due to legal or copyright rights in some countries, such as USA. The user must install them himself in the second step of installing the distribution, checking this box:


But even if for some reason you did not do this during installation, you can install codecs immediately after the first login after installation in one click Welcome window:


Or search in the system menu:


2. Update Manager

Update Manager has also undergone changes. Now, after logging in for the first time, the user is also offered to update the system, but before starting the update, the manager’s welcome window opens with the ability to select updates from three options:


Here in Update Manager - View - Kernel Update A warning window opens, where the user is introduced to the possible risks of installing new kernels:


And the option to install a new kernel after pressing the button Continue:


3. New application and icon themes - Mint-Y

Default in Linux Mint 18 as always, there is a theme and icons Mint-X, but as the developers previously promised Linux Mint in release 18 experimentally added a new application theme and icons Mint-Y, which the user can activate and use at his discretion in System Settings - Themes:



Themes and icons Mint-Y consist of two themes to choose from: light - Mint-Y and dark - Mint-Y-Dark.

This was done so that users could test new themes for six months before the release. Linux Mint 18.1 and give your feedback about them. If the majority of reviews are positive, then the topic Mint-Y and new icons in Linux Mint 18.1 will be enabled by default.

4. Sound settings dialog

IN Cinnamon now a new sound settings dialog, completely rewritten in Python.


5. X-Apps

X-Apps- these are unified (cross-desktop) applications. The goal or idea of ​​this project is to use the same application in all traditional desktop environments GTK.

Note. Cross-desktop applications - xapps, these are applications with the same interface and capabilities that will be used in all environments Linux Mint 18.

Currently, five cross-desktop applications have been developed - xapps:

xplayer- Media player, based on Totem :



xed - Text editor(text editor) based on Pluma:


xviewer - Image viewer(picture viewer), based on the gnome "eye" - Eog:


xreader - Document reader program(document viewer), based on Atril:


pix based on gThumb, which is a photo organizing app:


6. HiDPI support

HiDPI is an abbreviation Hi gh D ots P er I nch. This term refers to screens with a high pixel density or simply with high resolution. This pixel density allows text and graphics to be displayed in greater detail than on conventional displays. As well as porting of many applications GTK3/python3/Gsettings and improving their support HiDPI, which includes most of the tools Mint And XApps.
Firefox will now also support HiDPI.

7. Touchpad (touch panel)

IN Cinnamon And MATE Improved scrolling support. Touchpad now supports two-finger scrolling, just like in MacOS. In addition, a reverse scrolling option has been added in the settings parameter - Mouse and touchpad:


8. New launcher icon context menu

Now the program launcher icons on the panel have a new context menu by right-clicking on the icon, with possible options for launching the program:



9. System improvements

IN Linux Mint 18, terminal command "apt" continues to support all the same features that came before, but also supports the new Debian syntax "apt" with some changes and improvements.

Here short review some changes:

When executing commands "apt install" And "apt remove", and "sudo apt autoremove" The terminal displays a progress bar:


- New commands have been introduced to support the syntax Debian. So new team apt full-upgrade- equivalent to a command apt dist-upgrade.

Now with the terminal command add-apt-repository with argument --remove you can delete an unnecessary repository, which previously could only be done graphically, i.e. through Application sources.

New demon Thermald monitors temperature sensors and prevents overheating CPU(CPU).

File system exFAT are now supported out of the box.

Default file system supported again Btrfs.

Can't help but rejoice at the correct execution Standby mode, what in Linux Mint 17x It was impossible to achieve with any settings:


10. Other improvements

Popular apps such as Steam, Spotify, Dropbox and even Minecraft were added to Program Manager and are now easier to install.

All distribution versions now support installations OEM.

Gufw, a graphical firewall configuration tool, is now installed by default.

Main system components

Cinnamon 3.0
MATE 1.14
MDM 2.0
Linux kernel 4.4
Ubuntu 16.04 base package

A transition to MATE 1.16(in preparation for Linux Mint 18.1).

Release schedule for the final version of Linux Mint 18.

Release of the final version Linux Mint 18 expected at the end of June, beginning of July. No fixed dates will be published in advance and ISO images with the distribution will be released "on final readiness".

In this article we will look at the process Linux installations Mint. It is a community-developed Linux distribution based on Ubuntu. But there is also an edition based on Debian (LMDE).

The main goal is to provide the user with a "modern, elegant and user-friendly operating system that is both powerful and easy to use." Linux Mint provides full support for a variety of media formats, includes some proprietary programs, and comes bundled with a rich set of open source applications.

The founder of the project is Clement Lefebvre; the development team and the user community are also actively involved in the development.

Preparing for installation

Step 1. Download the image

You can download the distribution kit on the official website. Select the edition that suits you and download it. In this tutorial I will use Linux Mint Cinnamon

Step 2. Burn the image

Now we need to create a boot device. For such a device, I recommend that you use USB flash drive. You can make such a flash drive in Linux using the program, or use the command dd:

$sudo dd if=~/linuxmint-18.3-cinnamon-64bit.iso of=/dev/sdX1

Where " sdX" is your flash drive, and " 1 " is the first section on it.

For creating bootable flash drive Under Windows OS I recommend using the Rufus program.

Step 3. BIOS setup

I will not go into detail at this stage, since there are plenty of instructions on the Internet (for example,). Just restart your PC. Enter the BIOS menu and place your flash drive first in the list.

Linux Mint 18.3 installation process

Step 4: Download

Below are the screenshots when booting from BIOS and UEFI. In both cases, select the first option.

Step 5: Run the installer

After loading the desktop, look for the “ Install Linux Mint" and click on it 2 times.

Step 6. Welcome and system language

After launching the installer, in the right menu you will need to select the language that will be used during installation and subsequently in the system itself. To go to the next step, click " Continue»

Step 7. Install additional software

Here you are asked to install various additional software, such as drivers, Flash, and other programs. Some software is proprietary. Bet at your own discretion. Personally, I usually refuse and then put in my hands only what I need.

Step 8. Partitioning the hard drive

Here you have to choose the installation method. But I will be breaking the disk with my hands, so I chose " Another variant».

A window for setting up partitions will appear in front of you. First, we have to create a new partition table if we install Linux completely (If you install it next to Windows, then skip this step). To create a blank table, click " New partition table...».

You will be notified that all partitions on your hard drive will be destroyed. If you agree, then click " Continue».

To create a new section, click on " + " in the lower left corner.

If you are installing Linux on computers with UEFI, then you need to create an ESP partition. How to set it up is shown in the screenshot below.

You can also create a swap partition. It is done in the same way as the others, but in the paragraph “ Use as» specify « swap partition" It is needed for hibernation, and is also used when there is not enough RAM. You can specify whatever size you want. Previously, 2 GB was enough for me. Now I'm using a swap file, if you're interested, I'll write an article about it. So, decide for yourself whether to use a swap partition or not. I went straight to creating the root partition. The system itself will be installed on it.

You can also create a home partition, then if you reinstall the OS, all data on it will be saved. If you still decide to make it, then I recommend allocating the most memory for it, since this is where all your personal information will be stored.

This is what my disk partitioning scheme looks like (I remind you that an ESP(efi) partition is created only when installing the OS in UEFI mode).

If you still do not create a swap partition, you will be notified about this and will be offered to go back and repartition the disk. If you are sure that you do not need it, then just click “ Continue».

You will now be shown all the changes you have made. If you are satisfied with everything, then click “ Continue».

If you install the system in UEFI mode, and the computer has other operating systems installed in BIOS compatibility mode, the installer will warn you about this. If you continue, you will lose the ability to run OSes installed in BIOS compatibility mode. If you have other OSes, then you should stop the installation and deal with the problem. If there are no other operating systems, then feel free to click “ Continue».

Step 9: Finding a Location

Step 10: Keyboard Layout

Now you need to select the keyboard layout you need from the list. You can leave what is specified according to the standard. Or you can try to determine it by clicking on the " Define keyboard layout».

Step 11: Create a user

In this window you need to indicate your full name and the name that will be used for the user (you can specify the same thing), computer name (you can specify whichever you want). You also need to set a password for your user. Be sure to remember it! If you do not want to enter a password after each system boot, then click “”. If you use a password, you can set the encryption to home folder. Do this at your own discretion.

Step 14. Login

After reboot, if you did not select the " Login automatically", you will need to enter a password.

Video with the installation process:

conclusions

In this article, we examined in detail the installation process of the Linux Mint 18.3 distribution. After installation is complete, if required, you can customize the system for yourself. If you have any questions, ask in the comments!

Finally released a new version the very popular Linux distribution mint 18.3, codenamed “Silvia”.

Linux Mint 18.3 is a long-term release that will be supported until 2021. It comes with updated software and provides many new features and updates.

What's new in Linux mint 18.3

Improved Application Manager

The user interface has a more modern look and is now very similar to the Gnome app store.

Also, Flatpak support has been added to the app store. Thanks to Flatpak you can install latest applications, even if their dependencies are not compatible with Linux Mint.

Backup

The Backup tool has been almost completely rewritten. Everything has been revised: its features, how it looks and how it works.

Now it's designed to back up your home directory, nothing less and nothing more. It saves all your files into a tar archive. When you restore a backup, the files are restored to the same location as they were, with their original resolutions and timestamps.

But that's not all, to the instrument Reserve copy Timeshift has been added, a system snapshot tool that is now installed by default.

– will be the ideal companion for Linux Mint Backup Tool. It doesn't save your personal data, but it does save everything else.

With Timeshift you can create backups the operating system itself.

System reports

A new tool called System Reports has been developed for Linux Mint 18.3. Its purpose is to generate reports when software crashes and display information relevant to your computer and your environment.

When a failure occurs, information is collected and a failure report is generated.

The System Reports tool displays crashes and allows you to create stack traces for them:

Improving applications

Updated text editor Xed, which now has a minimap.

Improved PDF reader toolbar, Xreader. History buttons have been replaced with navigation buttons (history can be viewed through the menu). The two zoom buttons have been switched and a zoom reset button has been added to make Xreader more consistent with other apps.

Now supplied by default. This tool adapts the color temperature of your screen depending on the time of day, making it warmer at night to reduce the impact on your eyes.

Login screen

The login screen is now more customizable. Options have been added for automatic login into the system, so if you are the only user, you can configure your computer to log in without a password.

The main application menu has also been slightly redesigned, and can now display recently used applications. To enable this feature, right-click on the menu icon, open settings and enable the Recent plugin.

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