The Mint Team Rolls Out "Gloria"

Linux Mint is based on Ubuntu and attempts to offer you all that Ubuntu does and more. With Linux Mint you will get an Ubuntu based system with a custom desktop, several Linux Mint specific configuration tools, a Linux Mint repository of additional software (as well as the ability to use the Ubuntu repositories), the addition of several non-free media codecs, support for DVD playback, and your most common browser plugins all pre-installed.

The first release of Linux Mint, code named ‘Ada’, was released in August 2006 by creator Clement “Clem” Lefebvre. Since then we’ve seen Barbara, Bea, Bianca, Cassandra, Celena, Daryna, Elyssa, Felicia, and now, not quite 3 years later, Gloria!

Linux Mint 7 “Gloria” is a major release of the Linux Mint distribution, bringing many new changes and improvements. With this release we see some significant changes to the MintMenu, improvements to MintInstall, MintUpdate, and MintUpload, as well as changes to the overall look-and-feel of the distribution. Lets take a look at a few of these in more detail.

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Type, for example, Amarok into the filter box and the operating system will narrow your results based on what you have installed. Should Amarok not be installed the menu itself will allow you to check the repositories for the application and begin the install process.

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This is great for new and experienced users alike. New users can quickly see what is popular with other Linux Mint users while experienced users can easily install popular software shortly after a new system install.

Other improvements to Linux Mint 7 include the addition of SCP/SFTP to MintUpload, a new login screen, a new default icon set (Gnome Colors), a new Gnome theme (Shiki-Mint), the signing of the repositories, and the replacement of Xchat-Gnome with Xchat. A complete list of What’s New in Linux Mint 7 can be found at the Official Linux Mint website.

Linux Mint 7 "Gloria" is a fantastic release from the Linux Mint team. They have shown once again that their user community does have a say in what goes into each release of Linux Mint. The improvements implemented in MintMenu, MintInstall, MintUpdate, and the addition of SCP/SFTP to MintUpload are all geared towards ensuring the best possible user experience for fans of Linux Mint. The addition of a secure way to transfer files in MintUpload in particular was a feature asked for frequently on the Linux Mint user forums. Ask and ye shall receive seems to be the philosophy of Clem and the development team. In terms of eye-candy, do I dare say, the look-and-feel of Linux Mint 7 is very comfortable and elegant? Keep up the good work Clem and everyone else who contributed to the latest release of Linux Mint!