FYI - The Linux Mint operating system

[Rob DiStefano]

If you are currently using any of the Microsoft operating systems (XP, Vista, Windows 7) your pc is open to attacks form virus, malware, spyware and other intrusions.  

These nasties enter your system through emails, websites, or just via your always present internet connection.

Not a problem, you say?  You have anti virus, malware, spyware, firewall, etc. programs running to protect you, so you're safe.

Not really.  The 'anti' software is only as good as its updates, and sometimes those updates are too late.  And the always background running 'anti' programs drag down system performance and are known to conflict with some legitimate applications.

Enter Linux Mint.

NO need to ditch your pc and spend a bundle of money on an Apple Mac.

Linus Mint is a UNIX based operating system (similar to a Mac) that looks and acts lots like any Windows operating system, only there won't be any bugs.  Nada.  None. Zilch.  Zip.

Linux Mint is FREE and comes with a killer suite of applications already built in, including the Firefox browser, Thunderbird email, Open Office suite that is compatible with MS Office, a PDF reader AND writer, superb image editing software, FTP and HTML apps, CD/DVD burning apps and tons more USEFUL software ... free.  Uh huh, no charge.  Nada. None. Zilch. Zip.  And no strings attached!  

You can install Linux Mint on the same pc that's currently running any Windows operating system, in a dual boot environment, meaning you can load either operating system when you turn on your computer.

 www.LinuxMint.com

Did I mention it's FREE?    :D

FWIW, I administer all of Trad Gang via my Linux Mint notebook pc.

[4runr]

They say for new users to download the "Main" version. When you click on main version it asks "Download mirrors, torrent and MD5" or "Direct download".
I'm not computer illiterate, but don't understand the two choices.

[Rob DiStefano]

click on 'direct download'

what yer downloading is the linux mint iso image - you will burn that image to a cd using a cd burning application.  when burning an iso image, burn at the slowest speed possible.  this will be the hardest thing to do when installing linux mint.

if all of this is too much, and i sure can understand that, spend the $10 and have them send ya linux mint install cd.

[BenBow]

Thanks Rob. I've used ubuntu which is a free linux system that will install as a windows application that you dual boot too. Makes for a very simple install and an equally simple uninstall if you don't like it.

[BenBow]

By the way with ubuntu you don't have to risk loosing data with repartitioning the hard drive. I've been able to run in ubuntu some programs that were installed in windows using wine without having to install them in ubuntu. For example I can run USAPhotomaps by going to the Program folder in windows, open the USAPhotomaps folder and right clicking on USAPhotomaps.exe and choose to open with wine and it works great.

[Ray_G]

Rob,

For the last couple of weeks, I have been all over the Mint website.  With MS support for XP ending in June / July, I have decided that it is time to make a Linux distro my OS with XP for when I need it, if ever.  Mint is looking like my fave!

Ray

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally posted by BenBow:
Thanks Rob. I've used ubuntu which is a free linux system that will install as a windows application that you dual boot too. Makes for a very simple install and an equally simple uninstall if you don't like it.

linux mint is actually a modded version of ubuntu!

[Maxximusgrind]

There are alot of Linux operating systems.I couldn't wrap my brain around the idea that there was literally dozens.
 The great thing is alot are free.So if you dont like Mint you can try Opensuse or Mepis ,Kubuntu,freespire.......
 And all of the ones Ive used will allow you to partition with windows if you want.

[Missing Impossible]

Will one have to find and manage add-ons to do the things one does now on Vista or XP?

Firefox was a pain with this.  No add-on, no work.  Spend tons of time finding correct add-on. repeat.

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally posted by Missing Impossible:
Will one have to find and manage add-ons to do the things one does now on Vista or XP?

Firefox was a pain with this.  No add-on, no work.  Spend tons of time finding correct add-on. repeat.

depends on what add-on(s) you require, i guess.  the only thing i needed to was a flash plug-in and that was too easy.

if yer a gamer, the weakness of any linux os is GAMES - windows has the market share of gamers in their pockets.  

other than that, linux mint has everything you'll need built in, or available as a near instant add-on for free.  you even get a PDF *writer* built in, not just a PDF reader.

[Missing Impossible]

What requires add-ons?  I'm asking this for those of us who might give it a try.  I tried firefox because of a post like this and soon became frustrated because it seemed like everything required some independant download to make firefox run anything that previously ran fine with MS.  I'm a gamer too, thanks for letting me know that shortcoming.

[Rob DiStefano]

mi, what version of linux did you try out?  linux mint is far better and easier than even unbuntu and mint works 'right out of the box' for every machine i've installed it on (more than a dozen).

it's all about priorities.

i don't want do deal with the bug/spy nasties - answer: install linux or buy a mac

i want to play games - answer: dual boot linux with windows

i haven't found an ms os that doesn't need tweaking somewhere down the line, typically sooner than later you will need to reload windows.  for folks that buy a pc WITHOUT the ms os discs, yer in for a bad surprise.

[Maxximusgrind]

I was really neervous about what I would be giving up.I think,if you want to try it a dual boot is a great way to go.Its free so if you install it and dont like it you didnt loose anything.

[Rob DiStefano]

even better, just boot up with your current windows system, pop in the linux mint cd, run mint off your cd - you won't be able to save any data to your cd, but you'll get a solid feel for linux mint without disturbing anything on yer pc.

[Maxximusgrind]

I did that with about six different versions of linux before I settled on mint.If I could get Itunes to work,and a couple of my games-I would get rid of Windows completely.
  Robert

[Missing Impossible]

I'll take her for a spin this weekend.

[Rob DiStefano]

an fyi ...

the linux mint 'main edition' direct download.

this is an iso file that needs to be burned to a cd or dvd disc.  

if you don't have cd/dvd burner software, there are any number of free burner apps on the web.

burn at the slowest speed possible.  i burn at 2x.  

check the integrity of the disc - after creating an install cd or dvd (either types work fine), pop in the disc, a green screen opens and during the 10 second automatic countdown press the 'enter' key.  this opens a menu on the cd.  highlight 'check the integrity of the cd' and press 'enter'.  

make sure the cd integrity is good!  if not, you'll just waste time.

[Missing Impossible]

Thanks Rob.  Looks like the codecs are finally included, that was my gripe.

[Missing Impossible]

Rob, could you tell me how to verify my MD5 signature.  I'm running from the disk and need to know if my iso file is ok before partitioning my drive for install.

[Rob DiStefano]

pop in the mint disc, restart or turn on your pc, when the mint green 'automatic boot in 10 seconds' screen comes up, quickly press the 'enter' key, highlight 'verify cd intergrity' and press 'enter'.