Linux Mint 12: Why it's the best desktop OS

2. Package manager
Until now, I have argued that the Ubuntu Software Centre is the best package manager available. But Linux Mint has given Ubuntu Software Centre a makeover to produce a package manager that is at least as good as Ubuntu's. Not only does Linux Mint ship with the improved Software Centre, it also retains both GDebi and Synaptic. So you have three — four, including the command line — ways of installing software.

3. Advanced settings
This feature is a repackaged Ubuntu Tweak, which offers some options not found in the standard configuration tools. In Linux Mint, one of these configurations is the enabling or disabling of the various extensions that make up the Mint GNOME Shell Extensions, or MGSE. You can also change themes and window behaviour. This settings tool is separate from the control panel settings window. Perhaps at some point it should be rolled into the settings tool to avoid confusion, but nevertheless it remains a welcome addition.

4. Start-up screen
The start-up screen may be no more than a minor addition, but it has a significant impact on the user friendliness of the distribution. I've been arguing for some time that Linux desktops need a start-up screen to steer new users to relevant information. Linux Mint performs this task perfectly — and you can disable this feature once you no longer need it.

5. Included applications
Linux Mint 12 comes with almost everything you need. Unlike many distributions, Mint didn't drop GIMP, and it comes with the LibreOffice office suite, Firefox for web browsing, Thunderbird for email, Nautilus for file management, Brasero for disk burning, Pidgin for instant messaging, Banshee for music, and VLC for video. I was happy to see the retention of GIMP, Banshee, and the addition of VLC.

6. Themes
You can choose between two desktop themes — one light and one dark. These resemble Ubuntu's but are more attractive. The Mint-Z light theme is the default and looks both professional and attractive. In fact both the Mint themes are well suited for either a business or personal environment. And unlike standard GNOME 3 windows, Linux Mint windows offer the minimum of buttons.

7. Samba
When you install Ubuntu, the process of sharing folders is simple but usually requires the additional installation of Samba. If you install from the DVD version of Linux Mint, you have everything for sharing folders, so you're just a right-click away from sharing your folders on a Windows network.

8. Installation
The installation routine is borrowed from Ubuntu and is incredibly easy. In fact, it would be hard to find an easier one. If you're installing from the DVD, the process isn't quite as fast as the Ubuntu distribution, but that's understandable because more applications are installed by default.

9. Domain blocker
Mint Nanny is a useful addition to any Linux desktop and offers a simple means of blocking various domains from being seen from the desktop. Effectively, Linux Mint comes with inbuilt parental controls.

10. Mate
If your hardware can't power GNOME 3, you can run Classic GNOME thanks to Mate. It's a fork of GNOME 2 and is in effect the 2D mode for GNOME. The Mate desktop includes a bottom panel, start button, system tray, and desktop launchers. Of course, you needn't have lower-powered hardware to enjoy a pseudo-GNOME 2 desktop. To access Mate, all you have to do is choose it at the login screen.

Your impressions
If you haven't tried Linux Mint 12 Lisa, you should do as soon as possible. It's not just one of the best Linux distributions, it's also one of the best operating systems of any type available: user-friendly, powerful, stable and flexible. What do you think? Is Linux Mint 12 the most user-friendly desktop? If not, what is?

This story originally appeared as 10 reasons why Linux Mint is the most user-friendly desktop operating system available on TechRepublic.

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