It’s like Windows 8, minus the bad bits

A Windows 8 user's view on Linux Mint:

Although I currently use Windows 8 as my daily driver due to better game and CableCard support, I have followed Mint releases since version 11 Katya, and have continually been impressed by how fast each new Mint release runs on my system. In that respect, version 14 does not disappoint at all. There are a couple of minor quirks with Mint 14, but overall I came away highly impressed with the new release. And with Steam and Netflix — two of the three major barriers to me switching to Linux Mint full-time — now working on Linux, the future is looking bright for the open-source operating system. I dual-booted the new Linux Mint distribution to test drive it, and after using it all day (and to write this article) I will be keeping it installed alongside Windows 8, and I heartily recommend you try it out for yourself.

Linux Mint 14 released: It’s like Windows 8, minus the bad bits | ExtremeTech

We live in interesting times.
 
A Windows 8 user's view on Linux Mint:

Although I currently use Windows 8 as my daily driver due to better game and CableCard support, I have followed Mint releases since version 11 Katya, and have continually been impressed by how fast each new Mint release runs on my system. In that respect, version 14 does not disappoint at all. There are a couple of minor quirks with Mint 14, but overall I came away highly impressed with the new release. And with Steam and Netflix — two of the three major barriers to me switching to Linux Mint full-time — now working on Linux, the future is looking bright for the open-source operating system. I dual-booted the new Linux Mint distribution to test drive it, and after using it all day (and to write this article) I will be keeping it installed alongside Windows 8, and I heartily recommend you try it out for yourself.

Linux Mint 14 released: It’s like Windows 8, minus the bad bits | ExtremeTech

We live in interesting times.

Hi there
I've been running SUSE for years as a file server (mainly because when using Linux I prefer the KDE GUI -- that's just personal choice and "habit" I suppose) -- but I've been hearing so many good things about Linux Mint so I'll try this out on a spare Laptop -- if it works on a laptop it should certainly work on a fairly "Bog standard" conventional Workstation. - The main problem might be getting a USB WiFi adapter to work although when I change the OS on the server that particular machine is LAN connected.

I'll see also if I can get VMWARE to work on it too so I will move my W2K3 server on to it and run Office etc from the server.

I have some really old eseoteric hardware that won't in a million years run on Linux (an DP Plotter for example) so I'll have to run that from the W2K3 server.

With great upload speeds now on Broadband I really don't need to have multiple copies of Office any more --- W2K3 allows 4 RDP sessions before requiring CALS -- It's still under the OLD type of license.

At home I'm using the fast 802.11n Wifi so I don't anticipate any problems with response times using the OFFICE pack on the server and even remotely connecting from outside should usually be OK.

Anyway it'll give me something to do -- and will save money as well. I already have a license for VMware workstation for Linux (hardly used) and VMware player is free.

That will be the showstopper -- if I can't get VMware to work -- I'll try and see though.

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
lsmod | grep -e b43 -e b44 -e ssb -e ndis
sudo /etc/init.d/wifi-fix.sh
cat /etc/init.d/wifi-fix.sh
ls -al /etc/init.d/wifi-fix.sh
dmesg | grep -e wlan -e ndis

Loosely translated,, Greetings Earthlings, I'm from the planet Mint, I'm here to help you with all your problems.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro/Windows 8 Pro/Windows 7 64 Bit64Bit/Windows XP
A Windows 8 user's view on Linux Mint:

Although I currently use Windows 8 as my daily driver due to better game and CableCard support, I have followed Mint releases since version 11 Katya, and have continually been impressed by how fast each new Mint release runs on my system. In that respect, version 14 does not disappoint at all. There are a couple of minor quirks with Mint 14, but overall I came away highly impressed with the new release. And with Steam and Netflix — two of the three major barriers to me switching to Linux Mint full-time — now working on Linux, the future is looking bright for the open-source operating system. I dual-booted the new Linux Mint distribution to test drive it, and after using it all day (and to write this article) I will be keeping it installed alongside Windows 8, and I heartily recommend you try it out for yourself.

Linux Mint 14 released: It’s like Windows 8, minus the bad bits | ExtremeTech

We live in interesting times.

I like it.

But it's more unstable than version 13 because it's based on ubuntu 12.10 and some users won't use it yet as some reviews on youtube state.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy DV6 7250
    CPU
    Intel i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD4000 + Nvidia Geforce 630M
    Sound Card
    IDT HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6' built-in + Samsung S22D300 + 17.3' LG Phillips
    Screen Resolution
    multiple resolutions
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 250GB + Hitachi HDD 750GB
    PSU
    120W adapter
    Case
    small
    Cooling
    laptop cooling pad
    Keyboard
    Backlit built-in + big one in USB
    Mouse
    SteelSeries Sensei
    Internet Speed
    slow and steady
    Browser
    Chromium, Pale Moon, Firefox Developer Edition
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    That's basically it.
I've got Linux Mint 14 MATE (64 bit) installed on my PC.
IMO, it's better than Ubuntu (no awful Unity GUI).

All of my hardware worked straight out ot the box (ATI Radeon HD6450, Network, Sound and USB TV dongle).
It even runs my personalised theme (from Ubuntu 10).

I haven't experienced any glitches.

The installed size (OS + programs) is ~6GB.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 (64 bit), Linux Mint 18.3 MATE (64 bit)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    n/a
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II x6 1055T, 2.8 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASRock 880GMH-LE/USB3
    Memory
    8GB DDR3 1333 G-Skill Ares F3-1333C9D-8GAO (4GB x 2)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD6450
    Sound Card
    Realtek?
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung S23B350
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital 1.5 TB (SATA), Western Digital 2 TB (SATA), Western Digital 3 TB (SATA)
    Case
    Tower
    Mouse
    Wired Optical
    Other Info
    Linux Mint 16 MATE (64 bit) replaced with Linux Mint 17 MATE (64 bit) - 2014-05-17
    Linux Mint 14 MATE (64 bit) replaced with Linux Mint 16 MATE (64 bit) - 2013-11-13
    Ubuntu 10.04 (64 bit) replaced with Linux Mint 14 MATE (64 bit) - 2013-01-14
    RAM & Graphics Card Upgraded - 2013-01-13
    Monitor Upgraded - 2012-04-20
    System Upgraded - 2011-05-21, 2010-07-14
    HDD Upgraded - 2010-08-11, 2011-08-24,
I have Linux Mint (not ure which version) installed on a VM and it seems very nice. I don't use it enough to have a comfort level with it but I like it more than Ubuntu or the newer versions of Fedora (17, 18).
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 x64
lsmod | grep -e b43 -e b44 -e ssb -e ndis
sudo /etc/init.d/wifi-fix.sh
cat /etc/init.d/wifi-fix.sh
ls -al /etc/init.d/wifi-fix.sh
dmesg | grep -e wlan -e ndis

Loosely translated,, Greetings Earthlings, I'm from the planet Mint, I'm here to help you with all your problems.

Ah yes, but the ease of documentation is awesome here. I'd much rather have a text file full of these commands, than a word document full of screen shots and click here, and check this, and go to this tab, and click on apply, and click Next, Next, Next, etc.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
I've got Mint 14 on a older notebook and it worked right away, connect to my network, printers etc without any issues whatsoever. For the life of me, one thing I can't understand is why they haven't put more effort into multi-monitor support. Ubuntu, Mint etc can't support multi-monitor setups ie extended desktops.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows Phone 6, Windows CE 5, Windows Vista x32, Windows 7 x32/x64, Windows 8 x64
It's ironic, but for simple uses, Mint/Pinguy etc are great.

A lot better than w 8 that's for sure.

My grandma would be very happy with them.

Incredibly small and efficient, too.

Try and do a bit more and you get all that hobgoblin stuff.

That is one of the things they need to sort out for a greater appeal to those who need to go past the basics.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
I've never been a big Linux fan partly because of the UIs on many of them remind me of the mac os, and subsequently apple. No.

Also, needing to be really involved in the OS to make programs work. Ain't nobody got time for that!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
I've never been a big Linux fan partly because of the UIs on many of them remind me of the mac os, and subsequently apple. No.

Also, needing to be really involved in the OS to make programs work. Ain't nobody got time for that!

I bet you never used ANY live cd before and just saw the promotional UI like the bad Unity from Ubuntu and stuff that looks like mac. Aside from the docks or whatever holds the icons and the grey colored look, you have a lot of color choices for the UI. :thumb:

There are many choices of UI's. You've probably just seen the Macs.
Some of the downside is the extra time needed for customizing but on Windows you aren't even allowed to customize so much and for some people who really like customizing, they make time for that. :D

But you're right, there is a bunch of people who never customize, true. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy DV6 7250
    CPU
    Intel i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD4000 + Nvidia Geforce 630M
    Sound Card
    IDT HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6' built-in + Samsung S22D300 + 17.3' LG Phillips
    Screen Resolution
    multiple resolutions
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 250GB + Hitachi HDD 750GB
    PSU
    120W adapter
    Case
    small
    Cooling
    laptop cooling pad
    Keyboard
    Backlit built-in + big one in USB
    Mouse
    SteelSeries Sensei
    Internet Speed
    slow and steady
    Browser
    Chromium, Pale Moon, Firefox Developer Edition
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    That's basically it.
lsmod | grep -e b43 -e b44 -e ssb -e ndis
sudo /etc/init.d/wifi-fix.sh
cat /etc/init.d/wifi-fix.sh
ls -al /etc/init.d/wifi-fix.sh
dmesg | grep -e wlan -e ndis

Loosely translated,, Greetings Earthlings, I'm from the planet Mint, I'm here to help you with all your problems.

Ah yes, but the ease of documentation is awesome here. I'd much rather have a text file full of these commands, than a word document full of screen shots and click here, and check this, and go to this tab, and click on apply, and click Next, Next, Next, etc.
Or how about an ever-growing registry full of incomprehensible items that eventually clog your machine? Ugh.

It's been awhile since Linux forced a user to get down and dirty with a command line to activate a feature.

I haven't tried this with Windows 7 or Windows 8, but whenever I've replaced a motherboard on a PC, Windows would beg me to reinsert the installation CD a few times as it frantically recognized new hardware. Linux would just come up and quietly recognize everything and work. I think the Linux haters need to take a fresh look at what is out there.
 
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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7 / Win 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo T510 / HP ProBook 4540S
    CPU
    Intel i5-510m / Intel i3-3110m
    Memory
    4GB / 8GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6"
Um, I work with Linux boxes on a daily basis and those commands are quite relevant these days.

Heck, nearly every Linux box I use is command line only. No gui is ever installed on them. I would say 99.5% are gui free.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
I find it easier most times to go to command line for most things. As far as just your average email, game of cards, facebook type folks, yes the terminal is useless, but if you need to blacklist a driver or install a driver or something as SU a terminal is the way to go...

I have a habit of of opening the terminal every couple of days and doing the repo update and DE updates (sudo apt-get update). Yes I know this can be done all in the GUI but That way I can watch what is going on in the text lines (and I sit back and pretend like I am about to be sucked into the world of TRON)

But you all are correct, if you haven't looked at a modern Linux Distro, try a live cd or two. I think you will be very suprised at how far it's come

Geeve
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Dual Boot: Back to W7 and Ubuntu 12.04
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Dimension E521
    CPU
    AMD AthlonTM 64 X2 dual-core
    Memory
    4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia 9800 GT 1GB
    Sound Card
    M-Audio Mobile Pre USB External
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 1916W
    Screen Resolution
    1440X900
    Hard Drives
    250 GB internal main, 500 GB internal backup, 1TB External
    PSU
    300 Watt (Dell stock)
    Case
    Dell Stock
    Keyboard
    Dell
    Mouse
    Dell
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    MSE/Defender or whatever it's called now
    Other Info
    Acer aspire One D255, Windows 8.1.1 Pro, 2GB Ram, Intel Atom N450 1.6Ghz
Um, I work with Linux boxes on a daily basis and those commands are quite relevant these days.

Heck, nearly every Linux box I use is command line only. No gui is ever installed on them. I would say 99.5% are gui free.

Apologies. I didn't intend to say lack of relevance. However, an average user doesn't really need to do command line, which was my primary point. For the last many years, the GUI options available have improved to the point that one doesn't generally need the command line if they don't want to mess with it. If you do like the command line and even want it by itself, sure, Linux will let you do it. It's flexible that way.

BTW, I've had cases in Windows where I've had to revert to CMD prompt to take care of a problem. So Windows isn't immune to the more arcane methods.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7 / Win 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo T510 / HP ProBook 4540S
    CPU
    Intel i5-510m / Intel i3-3110m
    Memory
    4GB / 8GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6"
Um, I work with Linux boxes on a daily basis and those commands are quite relevant these days.

Heck, nearly every Linux box I use is command line only. No gui is ever installed on them. I would say 99.5% are gui free.

Apologies. I didn't intend to say lack of relevance. However, an average user doesn't really need to do command line, which was my primary point. For the last many years, the GUI options available have improved to the point that one doesn't generally need the command line if they don't want to mess with it. If you do like the command line and even want it by itself, sure, Linux will let you do it. It's flexible that way.

BTW, I've had cases in Windows where I've had to revert to CMD prompt to take care of a problem. So Windows isn't immune to the more arcane methods.

Not only that, Microsoft is actually relying more and more on the PowerShell on the server based products....which is......COMMAND LINE (Hooray)!. Heck, there is actually quite a bit of stuff that you "used" to be able to do in the Exchange Server console (GUI) that you cannot do any more from the GUI, you HAVE to do it from PowerShell.

When you have to do repetitive tasks, and scheduled tasks, it's SOOOO much easier to do it from commandlets and scripting than it is through a graphical interface.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
If you have ever seen or used the Windows Server Core (2008 or later) you know what it's like to run Windows without a GUI. Prior to Windows Server 2012, the choice of Core or full version was made at installation time: in Server 2012 you can go from GUI to Core and back without a reinstall of the OS. There's also a new "limited GUI" option available (not at installation time but after installation).

My early Unix experience was nearly all command-line. I haven't done a lot with Linux, but I like the GUI. The terminal is handy for those familiar with Linux/Unix commands but (as was stated) it's not generally necessary. Linux Mint (I am running "Maya" - Linux Mint 13) and is extremey easy to use. Even someone who's never seen or used Linux should be quite comfortable with Mint - probably more so with Mint than with some of the other distributions.
 
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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 x64
Tried Netflix on Mint and the video was choppy as hell. That was after going through the motions to actually get it working at all. I like Mint, but the support for many things just isn't there. My sound card, for instance, does not work nearly as well in Linux because of the total lack of official and unofficial driver support. And let's face it, the only reason anyone complains about 8 is because of Metro, which is basically Android with less app support.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Professional x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i7 920 2.66GHz (OC to 3.8GHz)
    Motherboard
    MSI Pro x58
    Memory
    6GB OCZ Gold
    Graphics Card(s)
    Two GTX 460s in SLI
    Sound Card
    Xonar DX
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 21.5" Display
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    PSU
    Corsair 750tx
    Case
    Xclio Windtunnel
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D14
It's issues with dual monitor support, some drivers etc that show that Linux isn't quite there yet, but I have a feeling that things are going to change and the way that Microsoft appears to be heading, may be the catalyst for that necessary change.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows Phone 6, Windows CE 5, Windows Vista x32, Windows 7 x32/x64, Windows 8 x64
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