Linux Mint 11 review and starter guide - A free operating system! :D

Linux Mint 11 is a linux distro based off Ubuntu, Its free and can be downloaded here


After downloading you can use Linux Live USB (download it here its free!) to convert the .iso to a live USB image. This means if you reboot your laptop/pc with USB plugged in and the boot order set to boot from USB first, then i can use Linux mint without even installing it. Do not install Linux Mint unless you have read into it and understand dual boot partitions etc, My advice is while in windows so before rebooting use Minitool Partition Wizard Home edition (download free here) to create a partition around 20gb to install linux mint. Linux mint has tools for this its just the way i do it.

Anyway lets go back to rebboting after rebooting you will be presented with a screen like this but with an extra icon on the desktop for installing linux mint:

I think the default wallpaper and theme are rather nice, i am glad its very customizable though. There is a few themes and wallpapers included here is a darker looking setup:

One of the best features Linux Mint is the start menu it has a very good layout and is quick and simple to use:

You will find a great selction of programs already installed like Firefox:

Or the great alternative to Microsoft Office, Libre office:

 

Installing software could not be easier you can just use Linux Mint`s Software Manager. This handy program has lists of 1000`s of programs you can install in a few clicks:

So now to way up the good and bad. Linux mint is a great free operating system that is very easy to use, the only downside is the same downside to all Linux Distro`s compatability. Windows will always have the largest compatability but Linux has alternatives to Windows exclusive programs and can even run most Windows programs using Wine, which can be found in Linux Mint`s Software manager.