Review: Linux Mint 5 Elyssa

To be perfectly honest with you, my original intention was to review Kubuntu 8.04, but with the brand new shiny Linux Mint 5 hitting the streets late last Sunday evening around midnight UK time, Kubuntu will have to take a back seat for now.

As I am a new member of the review team, I'll briefly outline the rules I play by when looking at any modern Linux Distribution, which seasoned enthusiasts will no doubt throw their collective hands in the air and wobble about, but my rules may strike a chord with many newcomers to Linux.

1. No Hassle.
I do not want to play with the command line, only as a last resort. Modern Linux should be able to be used by icons and GUI.

2.Runs from a Live CD.
Almost all Linux Distros do these days which gives a jolly good impression whether all your PC hardware will run to your liking.

3.Ease of Installation.
How easy for beginners and newcomers starting out is the operating system to install? [insert name of Distro here] ate my data, sandwiches, pictures of Granny etc.

4.Updates and Software.
Ease of updating the system, and installation of new software.

5.Performance, Look & Feel.
First impressions count, and newcomers tempted to install need to be happy with what they see, whether it is quicker than their present system and looks good. You can't tell a newcomer that they are able to customise the looks, as if it looks ugly to start with, it stays ugly. Initial impressions make a difference.

6.Support.
How good is the community who provide Internet support? How good is the downloadable or supplied documentation? How friendly are people on the Distro's forums? Do they mock newcomers? Do they use the word 'Newbie'? (I have a real problem with this derogatory term, as all Linux Gurus were 'Newbies' once, surely?

7.Usable Linux.
Is the Distro a candidate for day-to-day use, and a viable replacement to Windows 2000/XP ? (I don't count Vista in the Linux Usability rule, as a pencil and abacus would possibly be a good alternative).

At the end of the review, a 1-10 rating of each of the 'Rules' will be given, and each goes towards the dubious accolade of Usable Linux of the day/month/year, from the perspective of a new or moderately experienced Linux refugee from other operating systems.

Linux Mint 5 – An identity crisis?

Mint is built from an Ubuntu base. Take Ubuntu 8.04 Hardy Heron, tart the interface and add multimedia codecs and Flash support. There, Mint 5 is ready, right? Well, nope, I don't think it is. Replacing Ubuntu on my test machine, Mint runs smoothly from the live CD, and just feels better. The feeling continues after installation too, and if the doubters that Mint is not a distribution in it's own right are to be believed, this shouldn't be so. Mint is smoother, prettier and just a little bit quicker than Ubuntu when compared on the same machine. Please don't ask me why, it just is.

Installation.

A customise installation routine cloned from Ubuntu (minus the silly language selector), so nothing to report. It is so simple, even I have no problems, even with my Linux-virgin cap on (reinforced for extra protection). I did not set up a duel-boot system with Windows, so I don't know if the Ubuntu migration assistant is included.

I'm not fond of blue. Carbon grey and Mint green are better for me than Ubuntu orange/brown, but appearance is a personal thing. Who am I to say? I wear Bermuda shorts with multi-coloured parrots on, for goodness' sake!

I like the one-stop shop slab menu, but looks a little plain after KDE's Tasty Menu offerings. The grey theme continues with the default wallpaper, but there are many good quality alternatives to be found already included.

Minty Goodness

Some of the many home-grown programmes that are included in Mint 5.
Also, there is one called 'Mint Upload', where documents can be stored online. Additional storage can also be purchased.

Mint update rates the safety of available updates on a scale of 1-5. The user can choose whether to ride on the seat of their pants, or not.
Mint Install is the best feature for newcomers to Mint. It directs to Mint's online portal, which makes installation a breeze. Mint is also compatible with CNR, but I don't know why anyone would need this. Nvidia and ATI graphics are handled by Envy.

So, finally to the verdict...

No Hassle: 9/10.
The only extra software I had to install was Helix Player with the Mozilla plug-in (for streaming BBC iPlayer) and my 'brain', Notecase, using Synaptic.

Runs from Live CD: 8/10.
Everything worked (except wireless) on a Dell Inspiron 1525. Getting wireless to work was not on my list of priorities as I am hard-wired. Nvidia graphics on my secondary review machine, an Asus Pundit P1 Pundit, was available after installation.

Ease of Installation. 10/10.
No problems here. At all. Read, Decide and Watch (RDW).

Updates and Software. 10/10.
Simply, the best update and update tools to be found.

Performance, Look & Feel. 9/10.
I'm surprised that Mint feels quicker and smoother than a bog-standard Ubuntu. I love the darker looks and choice of themes.

Support. 9/10.
The Linux Mint Forums are a very friendly place to visit, second only to Ubuntu. Newcomers are made to feel very welcome.

Usable Linux. 9¾/10.
We're halfway through 2008, and up until the 8th June, the title of Usable Linux 2006/2008 was up for grabs (in my view). But the thought that has gone into this release is quite remarkable, and it is very clear as to what user is targeted, and what the aims and visions are.

In Conclusion

The arguments that it may be too simple, not complicated enough, dumbed down Linux, Ubuntu copy, not-a-real-distribution, Windows lookalike etc, really belong in the past when developers were Hackers and Users were Geeks. The age of a real, usable Linux system for normal people has been born, thanks in part to Microsoft, and the desire of people like Clement Lefebvre to bring Linux to the masses means that there will have to be a special distribution arrive to prize Mint off my main Desktop PC any time soon. The bar has been raised, the gauntlet has been thrown down.

Game on!

Tony.

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