14 DAY TRIAL // Linux Mint developers have just revealed that Linux Mint 17.2 "Rafaela" MATE RC is now available for download and testing. It integrates the latest MATE 1.10 and numerous other changes and improvements.
The MATE and Cinnamon flavors are always released together by the Linux Mint developers and today's there's no difference. We already covered the launch of the Cinnamon flavor, but the MATE one is just as important. It's a nice coincidence that both of them are shipping with brand new versions of their desktop environment and it's great news for users of both.
The Linux Mint distribution is based on Ubuntu 14.04 LTS, and it will remain so until the 18.x branch is considered. The next Ubuntu LTS version should arrive in April of 2016, so there is plenty of time to get more intermediary releases, not to mention the fact that Linux Mint shares the same support period of five years.
Linux Mint 17.2 “Rafaela” MATE RC is using MATE 1.10
MATE 1.10 has been around for a few days already, but the Linux Mint developers have been working to integrate it before its official release. It comes with a ton of new stuff and we already detailed all those nice features, so there isn't much mystery there. On the other hand, each new Linux Mint release is more than just the desktop environment.
"Linux Mint 17.2 is a long term support release which will be supported until 2019. It comes with updated software and brings refinements and many new features to make your desktop experience more comfortable to use. Linux Mint 17.2 features the latest MATE 1.10 desktop environment," is noted in the official announcement.
Other important improvements cover the Update Manager, the Software Sources, the MDM 2.0 display manager, artwork, and much more. You can download Linux Mint 17.2 RC "Rafaela" MATE right now from Softpedia, but please keep in mind that it's not a stable version.
