Technical Reviews and Geek Toys

I have been using the Kubuntu Linux distribution for a number of years. I am very happy with it. It works and allows me to do everything I have wanted to do. Bella, however has often made comments that Kubuntu is not easy for her to work with. She grumps that every time she gets on my machine I have changed something and she can't find what she is looking for. (Imagine that...)

Linux Mint 7, codename "Gloria" was released on 7/18/09 and I have been playing with the Live CD on VirtualBox on my Acer. I have been so impressed I burned the Live CD and fired up the Laptop to let Bella play with it. Her first comment is "I like it! I can find stuff on it." Cool...

Follow up:

I recently built a Kubuntu box for a friend and asked her to bring it back so I can install Linux Mint on it. She uses Windows XP all day long and has been around us long enough to peak her interest in using Linux on her home machine. She really likes the multiple workspaces and is afraid she is going to like it so much she is going to want it on her work machine. I am actually doing the install as I write this.

Linux Mint team took the latest version of Ubuntu (9.04) and made "improvements". The most obvious is an improved menu (Labeled "Menu") when opened up just puts Places, System, and Application Favorites right there for you to see. There is a Filter box that lets you search for keywords and will even suggest applications and allow you to install applications from the menu.

The installation was just as easy as Ubuntu. The Whats New page said there was an improvement to the installation process where a Featured Applications page will all one to install popular applications during the installation process. I didn't see that page.

A very nice touch is the Welcome to Linux Mint window that comes up after logging in. I was able to immediately download a Linux Mint Users Guide which I am sure our friend will be able to put to use.

UPDATE: So, I have been wondering how I can install Linux Mint on my Acer One. Now that I have Mint installed on a PC I found an article on installing Mint 6 on a Flash Drive. I love it..... plugged the Jump Drive into my Acer One, Pressed F12 to select the boot device and up pops Linux Mint.