Linux Mint 17: Mate Edition

Hi! I know its been a while since I've posted here, so I figured I'd make a comeback with a doozy of a video.

How To Install Linux Mint

Here's a video on how to install Linux Mint!

Zombie Dell Mini

This Dell Mini 10 is proving to be one tough cookie to crack. I read up on some techniques on USB installs and it turns out they aren't as reliable as I had thought. Being faster and less wasteful that CDs does have its drawbacks. On the one hand, the Dell is the only laptop that has given me problems with live installs from the USB drive. On the other hand, I do jump into these things headfirst with internet notes close by. Its pretty easy to get it right, but road bumps like these for the unprepared could potentially get really hairy really quick.

Linux Mint Migration

It's been nearly a year since Linux Mint 11 Katya was released and it is now time to upgrade and move on. I moved to Linux Mint for an easier more stable Linux desktop experience. What I found in Katya was a beautiful system that was fun to use and easy to maintain. Maybe, a little too easy to maintain. Linux Mint is a great example of what the Linux desktop should be for the average user- stable and reliable functionality combined with the high speed and low maintenance of Linux. Ubuntu, even with its rough edges implements the newest features and functionality Linux has to offer and is the shining example of what Linux could be.

I find myself at a point where I'm behind on operating systems and would like to upgrade to the newest build of Linux Mint 12 Lisa. This is where I am running into problems with Linux Mint. The creators were smart enough to know a great experience requires a fresh install, and thus recommend backing up the old version and freshly installing the newest system. Now, you could change the repositories and force an upgrade but it requires a few hurdles and can seriously break your system. If Linux Mint is designed to be easy for users why force a complicated upgrade path? I went to Linux Mint specifically because I broke many systems testing various customizations and didn't want to deal with that kind of uncertainty and time wasted reinstalling.

This is where Ubuntu shines. Ubuntu's upgrade cycle is played a bit more fast and loose but moving from one iteration to another is a very easy process. I certainly cant complain about a free full featured operating system that updates constantly and upgrades to a new version every six month. Ubuntu has also been around for years and manages to improve with every release. They have pretty much got the process whittled down to a few button clicks. I am hesitant to go back to Ubuntu and risk breaking systems again and losing precious data but it has been nearly a year since I've used Ubuntu at all and with two iterations nearly passed I am excited to see how the newest features have been implemented in Ubuntu 11.10.

Looking Ahead:
With Ubuntu 12.04 Pangolin set to release in April, I may attempt to install the pre-release Alpha version and get ahead of the curve for the year. Running does have its disadvantages, but with a more stringent quality control system in place it seems like this could be a fairly pain free few months until official release day.

As usual:

• Follow me and my endeavors out on twitter, google plus, and on the opensourcenoob blog.
• Check out gameenthus.com and enthuslife.podomatic.com for a more audible version of my commentary.

Maybe Next time:
A retrospective look - a year with the Cr-48

Music:
Check out The Music Share Link Archive- I have started a compilation of mostly free random indie music albums and mixtapes from around the web. Feel free to add to the list if you have found something worth sharing.
The Music Share Link Archive

Various Distros and Distractions

In my time with Linux I have tried out a few different distributions. I am running the LXDE Ubuntu 10.04 at the moment. I like it for its quick startup and shut down but the differences in this new "desktop skin" have me thinking about going back to basic gnome Ubuntu or something different all together. I have yet to figure out how to get it back to that point, so starting fresh is a viable option if the payoff is a fresh new desktop.

I have been making use of a stack of blank cds by burning various Live CDs of different distributions to try them out. They are great to have on hand in the event of a system failure as well. For a user starting out fresh with zero knowledge I would recommend Linux Mint.

I prefer a desktop PC-like experience on a laptop, I'm not running a netbook so i don't need it to be optimized for a smaller screen and i like my panels and clocks and calendars where they currently are. A drastic change is unnecessary, but i would like to see the Linux Mint crew take a swing at a netbook optimized OS, the regular distributions of Linux Mint 8 & 9 are phenomenal.

In my quest for an economical and enlightening alternative operating system, i have come across quite a bit of impressive music that does the same. I have found that listening to music podcasts can help you find plenty of good music out there on the internet. The days of horribly produced garage bands and mix tapes are pretty much over in this new digital age. However, the age of overproduced mainstream garbage is in full swing. There are many self made artists and net-labels out there with plenty of good music for all to sample, buy and enjoy. I stock up on great free stuff, but I have no problem shelling out a couple bills to an artist that makes music for the love of it. Many a long troubleshot, install, uninstall, reinstall, and hair pulling sessions have been smoothed over with some quality music.

To keep the computer gremlins at bay I have to suggest my go-to podcasts: The Chillcast with Anji Bee, Radio Bsots, and Dave's Lounge. From there you can research, download and enjoy some great music.

When completely tired from the PC, I turn to the glorified PC... mr xbox 360. I can be found up at odd hours of the night racking up frags and points in various games. When I am not playing them, I am checking out info on what is new to come in the industry. For clever insight and commentary my one stop shop for all video game news thats fit to be joked about is The GameEnthus Podcast.

Distractions aside, thanks for checking in.