Performance wise, I have certainly noticed a reduction of boot-up time.  I haven't actually timed it, but it boots up and shuts down fast.  I am also very thankful that I no longer experience kernel panics when playing videos.  I don't know if this is due to the new kernel or updates to flash.  Anyway... thanks to the Ubuntu team for another winner.

The Linux Mint team just released the newest version of Linux Mint.  Based on Ubuntu 10.04 LTS, Linux Mint 9 "Isadora" is most definately a winner.  New features include a New Software Manager with over 30,000 packges; a new Backup Tool which will perform incremental backups; improvements to the Menu; improvements to the Desktop Settings - changes apply immediately; a better Look & Feel; System improvements include a windows installer, and a USB creator; Project changes include a new Community Website, CD & DVD ISO images, Community Editions, OEM Installation Disks, USA / Japan distributors disks, 32 & 64 bit editions; and Upstream Improvements include Faster Boot times, and Long Term Support.

I downloaded the Linux Mint 9 Release Candidate a little over a week ago and installed it on a virtualBox.  I have been very pleased with it's performance.  I think the only issue that I have had is setting up my Facebook and Twitter accounts on Gwibber.  I'm not sure what the problem is as I didn't have any problem setting it up on the Ubuntu Netbook edition that I have running on my Acer One.

I have my torrent running to share the CD and DVD versions.  Nice.... in less time than it has taken to write this article both the CD and DVD versions have downloaded and are already seeding.  Am really enjoying my Comcast Internet connection.

If you are upgrading from a previous version of Linux Mint check out these installation instructions.  They bring up a valid point..... Do I NEED to upgrade?  Well, no I suppose not....  but... well, YES.  Ok, my machine is working just fine running Linux Mint 8.  I have no issues.  am I going to upgrade?  Yes.  It will take a few hours but with the way business is going lately I have the time.

Six more days to ago before the release of Ubuntu 10.04 LTS.  My last article addressed the some of the new features of this new version.  I mentioned the Ubuntu Netbook version but didn't comment on the new Kubuntu Netbook version.  When the Ubuntu Netbook Remix was released a year ago (version 9.04) I thought it would work really well on my Acer Aspire One.  Well it didn't take long for Remix to become to limiting.  It only has one workspace and then I found Linux Mint so I switched to that.  With the release in less than a week, I thought I would take a more in-depth look at the two Netbook versions.

I always get excited whenever a new release of Ubuntu is coming up.  Every six months a new desktop and server version is released.  This means the latest and greatest of the OpenSource world has to offer is available.  Each release is supported with updates for 18 months.  Every two years, a LTS (Long Term Support) version is released which is supported for for three years.  As always, every version of Ubuntu is absolutely free of charge.  How cool is that?

With 12 days to the release of 10.04 I downloaded the Beta2 version of Ubuntu as well as the Ubuntu Netbook version and ran them on virtualBox.  The first thing I noticed was a change in color as the default color is now purple instead of orange.  The first screen visible is the option to Try Ubuntu without changing the system or installing.  I choose to install.... and chuckled when it checked the time and automatically discovered my time zone.  Below are screenshots of the installation slideshow.

I admire people who can take life's circumstances and turn them into opportunities.  Allison Maslan is one of those people.  Allison has developed a method that she has used to turn her life around.  She is teaching this method to thousands of others to help them attain joy, love, success and prosperity in their personal life and career.

I found Allison's website, Blast Off! to be an inspiration in itself.  As I read her story and list of accomplishments I wondered how someone could find the drive to achieve all of those things.  I watched many of the videos on the site it became obvious she has an insight that can only come through experience.

Allison has recently released a new book that focuses on helping an individual break through the brick wall that often prevents one from turning dreams and visions into reality.  In this book Allison shares her insight, strategies and techniques to break through ones limiting feats and beliefs, and then guides one step-by-step to launch a completely new personal and professional path filled with astounding passion and meaning.

Allison's new book "Blast Off!  The Surefire Success Plan to Launch Your Dreams into Reality" launched on January 19, 2010 and is available on Amazon, Borders, as well as Barnes and Noble websites.  It is also available in all other major bookstores.  The book lists for $24.95 although Amazon.com offers it for even less.  As you preview the book on Amazon I think you will agree that this is a book that can have a lasting affect in one's life.  I think it might help me to break through a couple of walls that have been holding me back for years.  Thanks Allison.

Then it seems someone came up with a new idea and built a site where one can print out bingo cards based on images from around the Chatroulette cyberspace.

It seems folk from Eruope are the ones most interested in carrying on a conversation.  I have chatted with several people from France and one from Germany.  I have also chatted with a nice lady from Austin.  One of the bad things about this is if one finds someone they would like to reconnect with they had better exchange email addresses or something because once they are gone... they are gone.

PS... it seems everyone is trying to get in on the fun.  It seems there are at least a couple of chatroulette bingo sites and even a Polish video roulette.

And yes.... it seems there are a lot of folk writing about Chatroulette.

Linux Mint XFCE RC1 was announced on 3/7/2010.  Based on Xubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala, Linux 2.6.31, Xfce 4.6.1 and Xorg 7.4, Linux Mint 8 “Helena” Xfce CE features a lot of improvements and the latest software from the Open Source World. For a detailed overview of the new features and improvements included in Linux Mint 8 Xfce, please read “What’s new in Helena Xfce?“.  It should be noted that this version is not advertised as a lightweight version.

I'll go ahead and walk through the steps of creating a virtual machine and boot up on the ISO image that I downloaded from the XFCE page.

As I was writing about the release of Linux Mint LXDE it occurred to me that I had not written the article on the release of Linux Mint Fluxbox.  This release has been built with the emphasis on a lightweight and yet fully functional desktop centered on the Fluxbox window manager. The difference between Linux Mint and Ubuntu is the Linux Mint team makes improvements . For a detailed overview of the new features and improvements included in Linux Mint 8 Fluxbox, please read “What’s new in Helena Fluxbox?“.