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May 4th, 2010, 13:45 GMT · By Marius Nestor

A First Look at Linux Mint 9

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A couple of weeks ago, we talked a little about the upcoming artwork of Linux Mint 9 (codename Isadora) and the plans Clement Lefebvre had for this next major version of the Linux Mint operating system. However, today, we are proud to present a few screenshots and introduce you guys to the main features of Linux Mint 9 (Isadora). First of all, you should know that Linux Mint 9 RC is a development release and it shouldn't be used on production machines. The final release may be available in a few weeks!

Linux Mint 9 (Isadora) is based on the newly released Ubuntu 10.04 LTS (Lucid Lynx) operating system, and is powered by the same Linux kernel 2.6.32.11. It now features over 30,000 software packages in the repositories, a new backup/restore tool, improvements to the Mint Menu, Windows installer, new artwork and lots of other nice improvements.

The Linux Mint 9 installer has been modified to look just like the Ubuntu 10.04 one...

A new and very nice feature, one that is still missing from the popular Ubuntu OS, is the very helpful and instructive welcome screen...

Useful applications and desktop improvements, such as Mozilla Thunderbird 3, Pidgin or the Open in Terminal script for Nautilus...

Beautiful, new artwork, with Windows-like title bar buttons...

Lots of wonderful wallpapers, some nice GNOME themes and the GNOME-Wise icons...

Besides this, Linux Mint 9 (Isadora) boots faster, it will be supported for 3 years on the desktop and 5 years on the server (LTS release), and, last but not least, it will be distributed for the USA and Japan!

Being an RC version, known issues are present in Linux Mint 9:

· Plymouth boot splash looks big and ugly (a solution for this is provided on the Linux Mint forums);
· Some translations are still missing;
· The File Uploader utility does not close;
· Moonlight is not included;
· Some Mint Menu issues with item editing;
· Some upstream issues.

About Linux Mint

Linux Mint is and will always be an elegant, easy-to-use, up-to-date, 100% free and comfortable Linux operating system based on the very popular Ubuntu OS. It offers paid commercial support to companies and individuals. Also, free community support is available from the forums and the IRC channel.

Download and test Linux Mint 9 RC right now from Softpedia.

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READER COMMENTS:

Comment #1 by: yw on 05 May 2010, 05:41 UTC	reply to this comment
What's linux mint on the server???

Comment #2 by: hypatia on 05 May 2010, 18:02 UTC	reply to this comment
I still don't know what Mint has that Ubuntu doesn't, except that it's green. So, someone tell me, what's so special about Mint?

Comment #3 by: Thunderloader on 06 May 2010, 04:35 UTC	reply to this comment
My favorite distro! Windows users who tried this at my direction left Windows and never looked back. Like they say, "From Freedom came Elegance..."

Comment #4 by: Leon on 06 May 2010, 09:42 UTC	reply to this comment
Out of the box, it will play encrypted videos, play flash files, has Java installed, Has a number of Mint only enhancements. Basically it is Ubuntu with all those things you wish Ubuntu had already installed. Just install and use. Ideal for newbies and busy people alike. There are numerous behind the scenes enhancements too.

Comment #5 by: Lanteran on 06 May 2010, 12:43 UTC

reply to this comment

it looks quite well designed as linux mint usually is, and the main difference, hypatia, is that mint is often easier to use than ubuntu because it comes bundled with plenty of programs and codecs that ubuntu doesn't; it's faster to get up and running essentially. Picture running *buntu in a business setting; you'd have to spend about an hour (30 minutes maybe) installing all the software you need for every computer. heh, spellchecker doesn't recognize codecs as a word

Comment #6 by: mutsu on 06 May 2010, 18:59 UTC	reply to this comment
linux ment is good for beginners .it is ready with codex and flashlight support after u update it.also there is some tweaks with it that makes it good choice and easy for normal user as will .

Comment #7 by: axmukher on 09 May 2010, 22:25 UTC	reply to this comment
Linux should stay away from a tendency to imitate Microsoft products. KDE looks a lot like Windows, which is why I don't use it. Also, changing basic features creates hurdles for users who suddenly find a need to re-learn everything.

Comment #8 by: Bill Olsen on 11 May 2010, 01:34 UTC

reply to this comment

Linux Mint's upgrade is the product of some solid work. The theme design is fluent and it all seems responsive, quick and stable. The only thing lacking in this version is smooth configuration of the fglrx driver for ATI. This has always been hit and miss with many distros, but Mint had handled it well in previous versions, but oddly, not this one. A minor point though - good work and I always am eager to see what they will come out with next.

Comment #9 by: Thats me on 02 Jun 2010, 21:32 UTC	reply to this comment
OK then. I don't see how it boots any faster than Ubuntu 10.04. It doesn't boot any faster. It IS a nice distro, i have to say, but how hard is it to install your own software? A better distro is probably Artistx (artsistx.org) if you cant be stuffed installing any applications.

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