Linux Mint "Olivia Cinnamon"

[SilvrT]

Just installed this on my home PC to check it out. Sof far, I like it ... tried the latest flavor of Ubuntu ... don't care for it at all..

 

Wondering who else is using Linux here, what "flavor", how long you been using it, pros/cons, anything... and specifically, if you use Mint.

 

 

FWIW, I've been in the computer/IT field since 1987. Been experimenting (off and on) with various flavors of Linux since appx 1999 and have used Open SuSe as a network file server in a Microsoft Windows Domainhttp://images.intellitxt.com/ast/adTypes/icon1.png using Win Server domain controllers and Active Directory. (Just thought I'd throw this in)

[tz89]

I've been using Ubuntu quite a while for desktop computing. I use xfce instead of the default animated graphical interface. It's clean and lightweight even though my monster box could shrug off something fatter.

 

I have virtualbox installed and use that to run an old XP system and applications (Quicken) that I scrapped off my old box years ago.

 

That's been working for me. I have dabbled with other distros but end up back with Ubuntu. Haven't tried Mint - why do do you like it better?

 

I almost gave up with Ubuntu due to restricted format media, but now that they have made it a foolproof checkbox to install those proprietary dvd, flash, etc drivers, I'm good. I hated rebuilding media function with a new upgrade.

 

Although I have to use MS at work I won't pay for any of their products. I do use a cheap netbook loaded with W7, but don't keep data on it, so if it gets lost or dies I can just replace it. The one I have is about to be replaced, so maybe I'll load Mint on it (if you say good things why) or as a virtual machine for test on my box.

 

I keep all my important stuff redundant between cloud and NAS.

[Kirby]

I've been using MINT 12 since it came out. Just in the last week been considering going to 15. What are your feelings about it so far? Been having a problem lately with both of my home printers with Mint12. May be an outdated driver.

[SilvrT]

Being that I am primarily a Windows user (and tech), I find Mint very similar, easy to find things. Didn't try any variant of the latest Ubuntu, just the default new legacy desktop... which I didn't care for.

 

I plan to put Windows 7 into a virtual box to see how that works as I have a lot of apps that I use in it. Hoping I can create an ISO Image and load it into the virtual box.

 

Must be crappy weather for me to sit here all day, tinkering with this LOL

[Kirby]

Let me say in the beginning that I'm no expert when it comes to computers. I'm just your average homeowner end user but several years ago I got tired of the hassel of always having to buy this or that for Windows and I had an old HP case that lightning had ran in on and pretty much fried everything inside. So, I gutted everything out and bought new components and built my own computer from TigerDirect. It's not blazingly fast by today's standards but if I take a notion one day I might just push it out a little and see. So far, for the last few years it has ran flawless with none of the things that Windows is constantly asking for you to update. Boots up in less than a minute. I tried Ubuntu and Freespire, but didn't like those. The only problem I'm having right now is both my printers are HP, one hardwired, one wireless, act like they are running out of ink but I know for sure they are not. Both are fairly new and both are All In Ones, different models. I've still got to try my laptop on them and see if it will produce a good printout. It runs off of Windows. My son uses it for school work. But when it's all said and done, Linux is the only OS for me between the two.

[LilBeaver]

Just installed this on my home PC to check it out. Sof far, I like it ... tried the latest flavor of Ubuntu ... don't care for it at all..

 

Wondering who else is using Linux here, what "flavor", how long you been using it, pros/cons, anything... and specifically, if you use Mint.

 

[...]

 

I use winderz and a variety of Linux distributions. Lets see...

Any ubuntu that uses Gnome 3 drives me nuts. Althogh, I have never been a real big fan of Ubuntu with the way I use my linux boxes. I will say that a lot of it does 'just work' and there is a ton of support for it out there.

 

As for the Linux Mint 11 that I have used, I keep a Mint 11 live USB drive handy (last distro of linux mint to include gparted and gnome-disk-utility by default) -- which, if I am using a live distro that is why I am using it. I have gone up to Mint 14 on a few boxes, just for kicks and it seems to work just fine.

XFCE is nice, very lightweight and quick which is nice -- especially on older boxes.

KDE is 'cute' with lots of visual effects, but I tend to use the MATE distro the most [without the 'Cinnamon' add-on because I do NOT use these boxes for media entertainment and whatnot].

 

If I am setting a box up for a more novice type user, I generally recommend Mint MATE or KDE [unless their hardware is a little older, then XFCE is the way to go].

A HUGE advantage for Ubuntu is that of the ability to use the Wubi installer (which allows for a nearly fool proof install for dual boot with windows without having to rewrite the boot loader and the ability to do a simple uninstall of the linux partition, if desired, straight from the "Add/remove programs" in the windows part.

 

All of that being said, my primary linux box [and servers] are all Scientific Linux [which is a stripped down version of CentOS]. My reasons for using SL are mostly because it is extraordinarily stable, I know the OS inside and out, and it runs on just about any piece of hardware you can find. Sadly enough, some of the major equipment at the lab I work at in your neck of the woods is run off of Pentium 3 boxes running the latest iteration of SL.

The data analysis packages I use are adapted from some of the packages used at CERN for high-energy physics useage; written for SL [CentOS/RHEL] -- which also means that it is the easiest way for me to port and modify the analsis packages for what I do with them.

 

CentOS is a real nice package as well. It is a very complete and robust operating system that is very stable and very easy to install and setup.

I have an analysis cluster that was configured with CentOS due to some of the MD simulations some of my coworkers do, and it works flawlessly as an 8 node cluster.

 

The main server in my department runs Open SuSe which anything beyond version 11 is a pain to work with. Sometimes when we reboot that machine it will randomly change the drive orders, the numbers on the network ports, and all sorts of other weird stuff... Open SuSe has some components that make it very easy to manage for server applications -- which is appealing, not to mention our System Administrator [co admin of this server] has been using SuSe for the last many many years and since he is primary on that server, it was his choice.

 

My 4 servers are all configured with SL -- SL is solid for server and workstation useage.

 

For home use, I am torn between Mint MATE and SL -- if I was not so gosh darn familiar with SL (and use it for work), I would probably be perfectly happy running Mint MATE on my home machines.

Every new iteration of Mint seems to be more and more user friendly and easier to port windows drivers for hardware support.

I really cannot speak for the extra fancy 'Cinnamon' packages or whatever, but, I would be surprised if they were not as well put together as the rest of the OS.

 

Okay, have I rambled enough yet?

[SilvrT]

I tried Ubuntu and Freespire, but didn't like those.

 

Linux is the only OS for me between the two.

 

So which one are you using?

[SilvrT]

I really cannot speak for the extra fancy 'Cinnamon' packages or whatever, but, I would be surprised if they were not as well put together as the rest of the OS.

 

I don't see it as being "fancy" at all. It's pretty straight-forward, menu driven, easy to navigate.

 

Okay, have I rambled enough yet?

 

No, not in this thread but I have seen what I felt was rambling elsewhere as you lost me after the second sentence there LOL

[Kirby]

So which one are you using?

 

Mint 12

[meach]

Another mint user here (14 -Nadia) along with cinnamon desktop. When I ditched windows all together I tried several and liked mint the best mainly because it recognized and set up all the hardware with no glitches. Seemed to be one of the best running "out of the box" out there.

 

I setup Wine for the only windows program I still wanted to use (was a graphics program I'd had for years called Paint Shop Pro, have since just been using Gimp. Since I'm retired now don't really HAVE to use puter that much. Libre Office has worked fine for any MS Office docs I still need to access. Have been using iPad lately (or my iPhone) for most internet browsing.

 

Use the wife's Mac Book for updating my Garmin maps as I couldn't find an easy Linux solution.

Got my wife the Mac years ago cause her HP laptop was constantly having malware issues and I was constantly having to clean crap off or fix things. We had gotten iPhones and the Mac works so much better with her phone and she is so much Happier, I took her HP which is now has Linux on it.

 

I have a little net book i put a version called "Fuduntu" which works pretty good, designed for port putters .

[SilvrT]

I tried several and liked mint the best mainly because it recognized and set up all the hardware with no glitches.

 

I have a Canon multi-function device that my "Mint" won't recognize. I found and installed some drivers for it but it still didn't seem to "see" the Canon printer/copier. Haven't gone past that stage yet but will endeavor to resolve that over the coming days.

 

Once I figure out how to get all my Outlook email/contacts, etc ported over and how to remote desktop to my work I should be all set to forget....about Winderz! ... oh but then there's my Tax software to deal with .... hmmmmm .... this might not happen

[Guest tx2sturgis]

Ubuntu and loving it here.

 

Have run various Mint desktops...its works well too...but I did find a few quirks in there that were annoying. I find that Ubuntu, with its background corporate support, AND opensource community support, seems to work well for me.

 

Plus, lots of thirdparty programs have at least an Ubuntu version.

 

The five-year, Long Term Support, seems to be just icing on the cake.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[SilvrT]

I have a Canon multi-function device that my "Mint" won't recognize. I found and installed some drivers for it but it still didn't seem to "see" the Canon printer/copier. Haven't gone past that stage yet but will endeavor to resolve that over the coming days.

 

 

Well, I discovered how to do it.

 

Open a terminal window and type in system-config-printer

 

This opens a configuration utility that allows you to select and install drivers for attached printers that were not automatically installed. :banana:

[SilvrT]

Ubuntu and loving it here.

 

Have run various Mint desktops...its works well too...but I did find a few quirks in there that were annoying. I find that Ubuntu, with its background corporate support, AND opensource community support, seems to work well for me.

 

Plus, lots of thirdparty programs have at least an Ubuntu version.

 

The five-year, Long Term Support, seems to be just icing on the cake.

 

 

 

 

 

FWIW ... Linux Mint 15 is based on Ubuntu 13.04

[Guest tx2sturgis]

FWIW ... Linux Mint 15 is based on Ubuntu 13.04

 

 

Sure...its all window dressing at this stage.

 

Some of the sub-menus and dialog boxes look more or less identical.

 

Under the hood, its a solid Linux kernel running things...and thats all that matters, really.

 

I'm glad to see that you came over to the 'dark side'.

 

 

 

[SilvrT]

Sure...its all window dressing at this stage.

 

Some of the sub-menus and dialog boxes look more or less identical.

 

Under the hood, its a solid Linux kernel running things...and thats all that matters, really.

 

I'm glad to see that you came over to the 'dark side'.

 

 

 

 

Not quite there yet... workin on it. One thing I had to overcome was VPN and remote desktop. Been using an app called Teamviewer in the Windows environment ... I was happy to see a Linux version so that is off the plate now.

 

Still a few others to go but I can run Oracle Virtual box or Wine to handle those.

 

Am also going to test out CentOS seeing as lilbeaver speaks so highly of it.

[syscrusher]

With ink-jet printers the inks can dry out very quickly, that and new printers are sold with very small ink supplies which dry even more quickly. Laser printing is the way to go since the inks never dry up.

 

 

The only problem I'm having right now is both my printers are HP, one hardwired, one wireless, act like they are running out of ink but I know for sure they are not. Both are fairly new and both are All In Ones, different models. I've still got to try my laptop on them and see if it will produce a good printout.

[LilBeaver]

Depending on your actual needs for remote desktop connectivity, VNC (tigervnc, tightvnc and whatever other ways it is known by) works pretty well and cross-platform it works just fine. I routinely connect between winderz and linux boxes via VNC with no issues. That is from windows TO linux as well as from Linux to Windows.

 

NX/NoMachine is also a nice way to go. This one functions over the SSH protocol, has decent compression and gives you access to a machine.

 

VNC will give you control over the computer as when you 'logon' via VNC, VNC routes control of the keyboard and mouse as well as the display to the remote user while the local user can still watch. NX will allow you to log on to the remote machine and use the remote machine as a user and the host never knows unless they are watching the server processes.

 

Nice thing about VNC is that it is usually included in the repoitories which makes installation a breeze (if it is not already installed with the distribution). It is also super easy to configure.

 

My disclaimer here are that since NX and VNC satisfy my needs, I have not looked into any other remote desktop software -- the standard winderz one doesn't count....

---

 

Good luck with CentOS! There is nothing that I have been able to find that will work in Mint/Ubuntu but not CentOS/Scientific Linux but as a warning, it may take a little more patience and work to figure it out...

 

Have fun and

[Guest tx2sturgis]

Been using an app called Teamviewer in the Windows environment ... I was happy to see a Linux version so that is off the plate now.

 

 

I've been using TeamViewer on and off for about 5 years or so...works well on the Windows-Mac-Linux-iOS-Android PCs and mobiles I have tried it on. I dont use it for business, just hobby uses and helping troubleshoot winders boxes now and then.

 

 

 

[SilvrT]

I've been using TeamViewer on and off for about 5 years or so...works well on the Windows-Mac-Linux-iOS-Android PCs and mobiles I have tried it on. I dont use it for business, just hobby uses and helping troubleshoot winders boxes now and then.

 

 

 

 

Brian, do you know how to stop Teamviewer from resetting the password for remote desktop connection?

I'm sure I could figure it out but sometimes easier (and quicker) to ask someone.

[Guest tx2sturgis]

Brian, do you know how to stop Teamviewer from resetting the password for remote desktop connection?

I'm sure I could figure it out but sometimes easier (and quicker) to ask someone.

 

Depending on the version:

 

In settings, preferences, security.

 

Or, click on the 'reload' circle in the password box, then 'set predefined password'.

 

They have so many versions and various submenus, but its in there...somewhere...

 

 

This will need to be done on the remote computer, by the remote computer user, unless you already have access thru the random password, then you can use teamviewer to SET the remote password on the remote computer. I cant remember if it bumps you off and makes you re-enter using the new password...but just to be safe, dont try it unless you have someone there to let you back in just in case.

 

Kinda cool to remotely control a computer...the only thing missing is the sound effects...

Edited September 24, 2013 by tx2sturgis

[noahzark]

Been having a problem lately with both of my home printers with Mint12. May be an outdated driver.

 

One other possibility is the printers are set to "draft quality" to save ink.

[SilvrT]

Kinda cool to remotely control a computer...the only thing missing is the sound effects...

 

Ya ... as a network admin and the ONLY one at my work that looks after the IT environment, I must be able to remote connect.

 

I had a VPN set up and thru it, was able to use Remote Desktop but I did a server upgrade a while back (couple years I think) and with the new OS (Winserver 2008) I can't for the life of me get the damn VPN to work .... the whole configuration is different and some of the IP addressing has changed to boot!

 

So, apps such as Teamviewer are all I have now.

 

Thanks for your help!

[Guest tx2sturgis]

So, apps such as Teamviewer are all I have now.

 

Thanks for your help!

 

 

LogMeIn is another one, but I have no experience with it.

 

I dont think it has a Linux app...but will connect from iOS and Android to Windows.

 

But as I said, not knowing for sure how well it works, you would be the 'guinea pig' on that one.

 

 

 

https://secure.logmein.com

[LilBeaver]

[...]

Kinda cool to remotely control a computer...the only thing missing is the sound effects...

 

Which can be remedied by forwarding the audio as well

 

I do this when I am out of the country and trying to do things on the interwebs that require a U.S. Based IP address... and sound... yeah. I promise it is all legitimate business related shenanigans... (I have this ocean front property here in Lubbock to sell you too...)