First, a bit of explanation. I’ll get to Linux Mint in a minute. I promise.
Mac and Windows users will probably learn something from reading this.
You know how I dabble, fanny about with this and that. I’ve been playing with various versions of the Open Source (read free) Linux operating system Ubuntu over that last couple of years. Just for fun. I didn’t even have a computer 5 years ago let alone know how to use one. Open Source operating systems are deemed by most to be more secure because virus and malware writers generally just target Microsoft operating systems like Vista and XP and also because Linux based software is structured differently making it difficult for malicious software to install itself in the first place.
Anyway, Linux 1.0 lesson over, as I was saying … I run a low memory version of Ubuntu called Xubuntu 7.10 on a very old laptop with just a 700Mhz CPU and 256 MB RAM and it’s usable whereas XP is pretty slow on it and unresponsive/locks up. On my desktop which is at the other end of the speed scale and has a dual core CPU I used to run Ubuntu 7.10 (alongside Windows XP) and it’s faster than XP. Even the Firefox browser loads web pages faster than Firefox on XP.
Ubuntu requires a small amount of tinkering to install browser plug-ins like Flash etc, and multi-media codecs for playing music and video. Not rocket science but for the average Windows user probably a small step too far.
Linux Mint is based on Ubuntu but has all the plug-ins and codecs already installed and like Ubuntu you can install your printer even easier than on XP as the drivers are already installed, you just need to confirm your model of printer (which Linux Mint has already correctly detected). What could be easier. The only problem with any Linux OS is that the wireless chipset manufacturers won’t play ball and help them develop good wireless drivers so wireless is a bit of hit and miss with it. However if you have a network cable connected to your PC from the router or use a Powerline system to distribute the ADSL signal through your house’s mains electrical wiring then you have nothing at all to do. Just connect the cable. Linux based systems also take up less system resources (CPU load and RAM) than Windows based software meaning they generally run faster and are more responsive.
Linux Mint is being constantly developed with continual software upgrades (that will be notified to you as soon as they’re out) and the main operating system itself is upgraded and enhanced every 6 months. Again you can just download it over the internet and the install process will take care of everything.
If you already run XP and don’t have a spare computer around to install it on you can install it alongside XP on any computer (even if you only have 1 hard drive). The install process walks you through 7 simple steps and can even import all your documents and settings over from XP whilst leaving your XP installation intact. When your PC boots up you can select whether you want it to use the Linux Mint operating system or XP.
Last night I installed Linux Mint for the first time and found it even easier than Ubuntu. I think I’m converted. This is the easiest operating system (Linux or Windows) I’ve found to set-up and install.
Obviously it comes with all the software you’d need, a full office suite, browsers, IM client, calendar, email software plus a lot more (all free). If you’re even just slightly brave I recommend trying it.
great post! I think I will probably brave it one of these days – especially now that you have taken all the frontend spooks out of it.
hey somebody has to be the first :)
Also about the Vista memory issue – I remember when the 2 Vista beta testers on Spaces (Stephen and Twila) were working Vista — memory hog was one of the first things they noted. And yep, regardless of what MS says is the min. ram for vista — they lied. Everyone that I have talked to said that once they upped their ram, most of their frustration was removed.
I learnt nothing…….NOTHING…….it was to be expected really….
junq, thanks. I forgot to point out that any Windows based software obviously doesn’t work on Linux (just as it wouldn’t on Mac) but there’ll be an Open Source Linux alternative (usually a few) that will provide the same functionality. Linux distributions typically come bundled with everything you’d normally need.
manuel, I don’t believe that for a second.
I’ve tagged you mr bender…..tagged you good….