Linux (Ubuntu) Mint 17.3, still the Number ONE

Linux (Ubuntu) Mint 17.3, still the Number ONE

Ubuntu Mint has the best GRUB 2 in all the Linux distributions, I have installed in my computer.

It detected Windows 8.1 which I craftily shifted to the second hard drive.

It also had the canny insight to leave the old boot record untouched and available at boot time.

I had to press F2 or Del to get to the boot record.

One has to remember Linux Mint came into existence, when Ubuntu deviated and went developing Unity desktop, which I never criticized (they have the right to take decisions like a successful business adventure) tier new vision BUT admired their bod steps.

One can still get gnome desktop which is poorly supported officially but a community effort.

So if one wants to go back to Linux basics I have no reservation recommending Linux mint.

Its 17.3 version comes in MATE and Cinnamon desktops.

I am not sure it has the KDE desktop but only tested Cinnamon desktop.

If you want all the desktops in on installation Debian 8.2 is the best bet.

It does not support Abiword (DVD installation disk) which was a handicap for me.

In closing Mint had a temporary breakdown of its web site.

We must thank the server administrator and the team for getting its running again.

If you had any problem with Mint web site recently that was the reason.

I also recommend downloading torrent file instead point to point download for the above reason (temporary instability).

No wonder why Linux Mint is Number 1 at Distrowatch ranking.

Migration to 64 bit Computer (in Linux) was a bit of a pain

Migration to 64 bit Computer (in Linux) was a bit of a pain

After 15 years of regular 32 bit computer user , changing to 64 bit was a bit of a pain in Linux.

Linux distributions fair very badly on 64 bit computers.

I tried more than 10.

Let me say, my change was mainly for the purpose of saving ENERGY and thereby my electricity bill.

Yes it saved a lot.

I now use the computer as my NIGHT heater.

It used to be a laptop on my lap.

The new one has lot of fans fixed to cool it down and the by the product is my room is warm at night.

Just to test its energy consumption, I let it run overnight with Linux logged off.

I got the bill yesterday.

It has saved me 100 Units.

So saying good bye to 9 out of ten 32 bits was productive.

Even though, I had ten one was exclusively used others were for some mundane Linux work.

The 64 bit one was struck by lightening and it went through the UPS battery and burned the upholstery and cooling system.

It got hot hot within seconds of booting and after some repair used it for testing 64 bit Linux distributions but never installed any.

So my testing of 64 bits is only one month's standing.

I list the downside of Linux 64 bits.

Software has bugs and LibreOffice had lot of missing plug ins.

I booted Ubuntu 15.10 and it is no better compared to 14.10 LTS.

Besides graphic display was ugly.

Everything dark.

Font edges are blurry and not smooth.

Nice points apart from saving electricity is only the fans make a noise.

Internet with cookies removed is awfully fast.

Email reading was fast enough with Yahoo.

I use lees and less of DVD drive, that also saves money.

Hard disk is SATA which is much better than IDE for data transfer.

The Multimedia Dashboard has slots for SD cards and MMR.

USB booting especially with USB 3 is faster

I would have preferred to have an internal SSD hard drive.

I would go for portable external SSD instead.

They are still expensive and the capacity is nowhere my needs of multi-booting at Least six Linux distributions in addition to one copy of windows.

Overall I am impressed by the Intel technology.

Most of my 32 bit Linux distributions on MultiSystem USB booting are redundant now,

However, I keep the 32 bit computer linked with KVM switch / port to retrieve old data files.

USB stick is my workhorse now.

Well in time to come I will have all my Linux distributions in a tiny external hard disk (in fact I have already done it) live booted with lot of isos in for testing a potential Linux customer (hardly any).

Linus and Linux on the fly is my motto.