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Old 01-15-2020, 10:42 PM   #1
lukakatoma
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is linux mint a good option for me (used to win 7, 16 ram, core i7/2.9 ghz, no games, need office suite, audio/ video player, web browser


i'm used to win7 but it's time for new os due to win7 eol.
i've decided to switch to linux.

i use dell latitude e6440; cpu: intel core i7/2.9ghz; ram: 16gb;
i don't play computer games. i mostly work on my laptop (libreoffice), i also need youtube for my job.
i need a functional, reliable and stable system. compatible with canon lb 2900 printer. nothing sophisticated.

i've researched a bit. i can't go too far at the beginning cause i'm kinda ignorant.i'm considering mint cinnamon or mate, ubuntu mate, and opensuse.

mint cinnamon: better performance than ubuntu
- the desktop resembles win xp
- fast and straightforward software manager

however, i've heard it can be buggy
 
Old 01-15-2020, 11:00 PM   #2
Mill J
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Linux Mint sounds like it should work great for you. As far as cinnamon being buggy, I started with Mint 17.1 as my first Linux distro. Back then Cinnamon was pretty buggy, but I'm running 19.2 right now and it's much more stable and that is no longer the case.

I'd recommend that you start by downloading the Mint iso image and flashing it to a live usb/CD and booting live. You can check to see if your printer, network, etc work even before you install.
 
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Old 01-16-2020, 12:30 AM   #3
pierre2
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that's the Linux System that does get a lot of recommendations,
- there are other Linux systems, that would work, as well.
you could start with that Linux system & see what you think of it.
 
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Old 01-16-2020, 12:52 AM   #4
lukakatoma
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Thank you for the prompt reply.
Your insights are useful and informative indeed.
I'll definitely boot live and check linux mint.

I read 'Linux Newbies - How to Choose a Distro' before posting. I'm going to support the community as well.

'Don't complain about Linux... do something about it!, It will only be as good as you make it!'- I'm with you
 
Old 01-16-2020, 08:27 PM   #5
frankbell
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Mint is a nice piece of work. With that amount of RAM, you can use any desktop environment you want.

Whichever one you start with, you can install another DE and switch back and forth.

I've used both MATE and Cinnamon and, between the two, I prefer MATE. That says nothing against Cinnamon--I didn't encounter any issues with Cinnamon; it's just my personal preference.

Last edited by frankbell; 01-16-2020 at 08:29 PM.
 
Old 01-17-2020, 05:40 AM   #6
bscho
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lukakatoma View Post
i'm used to win7 but it's time for new os due to win7 eol.
i've decided to switch to linux.

i use dell latitude e6440; cpu: intel core i7/2.9ghz; ram: 16gb;
i don't play computer games. i mostly work on my laptop (libreoffice), i also need youtube for my job.
i need a functional, reliable and stable system. compatible with canon lb 2900 printer. nothing sophisticated.

i've researched a bit. i can't go too far at the beginning cause i'm kinda ignorant.i'm considering mint cinnamon or mate, ubuntu mate, and opensuse.

mint cinnamon: better performance than ubuntu
- the desktop resembles win xp
- fast and straightforward software manager

however, i've heard it can be buggy
No 19.2 was not buggy but 19.3 is I think it should be withdrawn. They took GIMP and VLC out so they are dumbing down the best operating system available. Use 19.2 only 1 problem with the 32 bit version will not load unless you choose OEM install.

You can change to Super Windows 10 You can dual boot with it and copy all your files to your Windows 10 desktop. There are three versions of Super Windows 10 based on Linux Mint 19.2 Peppermint and Kali only Kali is ready to go with a Windows 10 desktop. See ginamiller.co.uk I would recommend the Linux Mint version at ginamiller.co.uk/super.php

If you want Microsoft pre-installed programs Word etc use the peppermint version at ginamiller.co.uk/peppermint.php Though you do not really need them as Libreoffice does the job anyway and since they are Microsoft online versions I would not think they are secure knowing Microsoft.

The Kali version has 2 desktops which you toggle switch to the Windows 10 desktop with the terminal command kali-undercover.
Kali has many programs but you will need to add the usual ones synaptic, Libreoffice, Thunderbird, Chromium, Gimp use the terminal command sudo apt install gimp or any other programs. All programs are available on both desktops.
 
Old 01-17-2020, 09:21 AM   #7
Mill J
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bscho View Post
No 19.2 was not buggy but 19.3 is I think it should be withdrawn. They took GIMP and VLC out so they are dumbing down the best operating system available. Use 19.2 only 1 problem with the 32 bit version will not load unless you choose OEM install.
That still is not a bug. And the Gimp and VLC CAN be install with one command if you need it. Furthermore those programs are not mentioned by the OP as necessary.

Quote:
You can change to Super Windows 10 You can dual boot with it and copy all your files to your Windows 10 desktop. There are three versions of Super Windows 10 based on Linux Mint 19.2 Peppermint and Kali only Kali is ready to go with a Windows 10 desktop. See ginamiller.co.uk I would recommend the Linux Mint version at ginamiller.co.uk/super.php

If you want Microsoft pre-installed programs Word etc use the peppermint version at ginamiller.co.uk/peppermint.php Though you do not really need them as Libreoffice does the job anyway and since they are Microsoft online versions I would not think they are secure knowing Microsoft.

The Kali version has 2 desktops which you toggle switch to the Windows 10 desktop with the terminal command kali-undercover.
Kali has many programs but you will need to add the usual ones synaptic, Libreoffice, Thunderbird, Chromium, Gimp use the terminal command sudo apt install gimp or any other programs. All programs are available on both desktops.
How is this relevant the the OP's question? Kali? Seriously? Windows 10? What's this got to do with Mint being buggy?
 
Old 01-17-2020, 11:22 AM   #8
bscho
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mill J View Post
That still is not a bug. And the Gimp and VLC CAN be install with one command if you need it. Furthermore those programs are not mentioned by the OP as necessary.

The bug will not allow you to load Gimp or VLC by terminal or software manager that is the bug. You have to fix the bug first before you can work either. The terminal gives you what you have to fix. I see others are finding the same problem. I do not understand why the file was corrupted in the first place

How is this relevant the the OP's question? Kali? Seriously? Windows 10? What's this got to do with Mint being buggy?
Only that you must use Linux Mint 19.2 because of the bug in 19.3 and the omission of Gimp and VLC, to make the Super Windows 10.
 
Old 01-17-2020, 01:58 PM   #9
urbanwks
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bscho View Post
Only that you must use Linux Mint 19.2 because of the bug in 19.3 and the omission of Gimp and VLC, to make the Super Windows 10.
Questions:
1. What bug? Absence of third party software is not a bug, and it's crazy easy to install it yourself. I've encountered no such bug in Mint 19.3 or otherwise with installing software.

2. I notice you keep saying "Super Windows 10". Can I assume that's a name you made up for a Linux distro with a DE/WM themed to look like windows 10?

3. It's a bad idea to recommend Kali to anyone. If you need Kali, you would already know that you need it since you'd be a pentester running it from live usb or in a VM. Additionally, the purpose of kali-undercover is not to make people comfortable with Kali by pretending it's win10. Not even close.

Back on topic to OP: I think Mint is a great way to go for your needs and hardware. Note that you cannot run windows software natively in any flavor of linux so if you need a windows program there are many alternatives, or if absolutely necessary you can try and see if it runs in emulator-type software (wine, etc)
 
Old 01-17-2020, 02:54 PM   #10
bscho
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Quote:
Originally Posted by urbanwks View Post
Questions:
1. What bug? Absence of third party software is not a bug, and it's crazy easy to install it yourself. I've encountered no such bug in Mint 19.3 or otherwise with installing software.
I did not say that was a bug. The bug is you cannot install either as their is a bug an error in a file does not allow the Terminal commands to work or the Software manager to install GIMP it just says unavailable.

when you edit the file of the extra > by apt-src all work OK again so that is the bug.

It is your view of Kali not mine. I use it and load the usual packages on that you find on mint. See the screen shot at ginamiller.co.uk/kali.php
 
Old 01-17-2020, 03:23 PM   #11
urbanwks
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bscho View Post
It is your view of Kali not mine. I use it and load the usual packages on that you find on mint. See the screen shot at ginamiller.co.uk/kali.php
Hey, do whatever you personally want. But it's not just my view, it's also that of the people who make it, the professional people who use it, and so on. Certainly never for newbies for a whole host of reasons.
 
Old 01-17-2020, 03:32 PM   #12
bscho
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Quote:
Originally Posted by urbanwks View Post
Hey, do whatever you personally want. But it's not just my view, it's also that of the people who make it, the professional people who use it, and so on. Certainly never for newbies for a whole host of reasons.
I think Linux Mint 19.2 with the cinnamon is ideal for newbies from Windows 10
 
Old 02-28-2020, 09:20 AM   #13
Stella456
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I think Mint Xfce is a good one for people who are used to Windows 7 as well. I just replaced Windows 7 on a laptop with Mint Xfce. It is lighterweight but the Xfce desktop I like very much and that is partly what makes it simple and stable as well. I find it very stable and very smooth and contains about everything you need. I think if there is software installed you don't want, it is better to hide it than uninstall it to avoid the system becoming unstable if you don't know what software dependencies will also be removed at the same time.

With your hardware you can handle something heavierweight than that, but I very much prefer the look and feel of this over Ubuntu mate or Mint Mate. The menus are simple and familiar and easy to get used to. You have Firefox installed as standard and Libreoffice is included as well. The compositing (graphic effects) are very nice and lots of wallpapers to choose from to personalise it. Your PC is powerful enough to enjoy the compositing. On my older hardware I had to turn it off to increase speed.

Mint Xfce 19.3 is what I just installed - long term support until 2023. Reminds me a bit of XP and Windows 7 in places. Find it very stable and smooth and not buggy at all. The names and icons of software seem very unfamiliar at first but it doesn't take much reading about them to find out what they are and what they do.

My only comment is that sometimes the distros that try and be a bit like Windows replacements have too many options and menus for changing various things. But you can just use it out of the box and ignore all those.

For simplicity and reliability I like Bodhi Linux which comes with virtually no software installed and you can just add LibreOffice and Chromium web browser from the software management app if that is all you need! Keeps it light and simple and stable. You do need to occasionally use the terminal though, just for simple things like doing updates. But it is what got me using a terminal and it's sometimes quicker and easier than using software installer packages :-) It doesn't look a bit like Windows 7 or XP but very quick and simple to use for word processing and internet.

Try running Mint XFCE live without installing to get used to it and see what you think. I found it ran a bit slower live than when installed but you shouldn't have that issue with your hardware. I also found it burned and installed easier from dvd than usb. So you just boot up the dvd and you get the "live" distro and just play around with it. If you like it, then click on install and follow the instructions.

If you have problems installing over Windows 7 (I did initially) then wiping the drive should solve it so there's no mbr left on the drive.

Last edited by Stella456; 02-28-2020 at 09:52 AM.
 
Old 02-28-2020, 09:57 AM   #14
Stella456
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Just a tip if you didn't know. Don't download software from the internet as you do with Windows - that is one thing that can break your system (or the software may not work as most is for Windows). Use the software manager to install what you want.
 
Old 03-12-2020, 10:37 PM   #15
vmelkon
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Quote:
Originally Posted by serendipity7000 View Post
Just a tip if you didn't know. Don't download software from the internet as you do with Windows - that is one thing that can break your system (or the software may not work as most is for Windows). Use the software manager to install what you want.
You can't always do that.
I downloaded Eclipse through the Software Manager of Linux Mint. If I try to run it, I get an error msg. The same happens on Kubuntu.
On Kubuntu, I downloaded Eclipse from the official Eclipse site and followed a tutorial to install it.
I also had to figure out how to add a shortcut to the Start menu.
 
  


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