Disclosure: Some links on this page are monetized by the Skimlinks, Amazon, Rakuten Advertising, and eBay, affiliate programs, and Liliputing may earn a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on those links. All prices are subject to change, and this article only reflects the prices available at time of publication.
Linux Mint is an easy-to-use operating system that’s based on Ubuntu Linux. It comes pre-loaded with support for Flash, Java, and a range of media codecs that you’d have to install yourself with Ubuntu.
While Linux Mint supports a range of desktop environments, the default user interface also looks a lot more like the classic Windows desktop than Ubuntu’s Unity, which makes Mint a good choice for someone looking for their first Linux distro.
This week the developers launched the first release candidate of Linux Mint 15.
Here’s a roundup of tech news stories from around the web.
- Linux Mint 15 “Olivia” RC released
The next version of the popular Linux Mint operating system is based on Ubuntu 13.04, includes updated desktop environments, new artwork, a new “Software Sources” tool, and much more. [Linux Mint] - Google shows how to root Glass, run Ubuntu alongside Android
Google’s Glass wearable computer runs on Android. And like most Android devices, you can root it and perform all sorts of neat tricks. In fact, Google is even showing folks with Explorer Edition Google Glass devices how to do root their units and load Ubuntu Linux alongside Android. [Engadget] - Cuberoot tool lets you root the Asus CUBE Google TV Box
It also unblocks Flash content on some streaming video sites which normally don’t support Google TV, and disables automatic updates so you can keep root. [GTV Hacker] - HTC’s next software update for last year’s phones will bring BlinkFeed, Zoe to the HTC One X
HTC Sense 5.0 is coming to the HTC One X, also known as the first HTC phone to use the “One” brand… before the company went wild and introduced a bunch of Ones, thus diluting the brand. Anyway, like it or not, the BlinkFeed social widget is coming to your home screen (unless you’re running a custom ROM) [Phone Arena] - Leak: Lenovo A5000 7 inch phone/tablet with 3G
It looks like Lenovo may have an Asus Fonepad-like tablet in the works, featuring a tablet-sized display and cellular capabilities. [Mobile Geeks] - Has Amazon discontinued the Kindle Keyboard 3G?
Sure, the Kindle Keyboard is a few years old at this point, but it has a few features Amazon’s newer Kindles don’t… like a keyboard. Amazon’s been keeping it around for a while, but it looks like the Kindle Keyboard 3G is going out of stock all over the place. [Engadget]
You can keep up with the latest headlines by following Liliputing on Facebook, Google+ and Twitter.
Mint might be a good distribution, but I don’t like that it looks like classic Windows. Linux needs to have its own look. It don’t need to copy Microsoft and Apple. Come on devs. You can do better than a clone.
I agree, quit copying windows, makes me not want to use Linux. Gnome 3 is cool in that fact
The ‘Windows’ desktop is a ‘look’. This format was actually invented by Xerox (I believe) and then stolen by Apple, and now used by everyone. It has been the most efficient and beloved way to interact with PC’s for a long time, made popular by Microsoft. Under this format, Linux itself made popular many of the desktop effects that Windows could never duplicate until recently due to hardware limitations (reference to Compiz effects). The reason they always tell about how it ‘looks and feels like classic Windows’ is because there is a awesome user base using Windows that could be drawn to trying Linux and would feel comfortable with it.
So, use Gnome 3, or Unity. The beauty of Linux is in the freedom and choice that it affords users. Most people still feel a more traditional desktop is more efficient and user friendly. Gnome 3 is quite cool, but for me I find it a bit awkward to use, and doesn’t have many options for customization.