Linux Mint 8

If you are looking for an excellent Linux OS then look no further! I have just downloaded Mint 8 'Helena' and it's such a great improvement over previous versions. I first installed it on a desktop PC that has an Nvidia video card and I have always had problems with installing the correct driver for it under Linux, but 8 found it and configured it perfectly during set-up

I then installed 8 on my Acer Aspire One netbook and that too configured everything correctly, even the wi-fi. In the past I have had great problems making that work.

I have experimented with Linux now for many years and this one is the best "most usable" version ever!! NB: don't forget to make a contribution to the creators if you like it!!!

Andrew

sí, tenemos no hay platanos

Hello Andrew,

I've been thinking of installing Mint 8 for a little while but, with the set up I have, that means "losing" ubuntu. Do you feel it has any substantial advantages over ubuntu? I write as a user rather than an IT man!

Trevor Adcock

BTBroadband Option 1 - Speed: Up to 8Mbps

Hello Trevor,

I have not tried Ubuntu for some years so all I can do is applaud the features of Mint 8!! Like you, I am no Linux expert and usually have great difficulty and frustration configuring anything special but not, as I said, with 8

Have a look here to see what's on offer. Can't you install 8 alongside Ubuntu or perhaps your HD is too small? I have been using Mint 6 for some time now, tried 7 but it didn't offer any great improvement so to play safe I installed 8 alongside 6. My desktop HD is only 20GB and it works well. There's even an option to import bookmarks and some email data from the older version during install and of course there is the option to partition your drive accordingly for both versions.

If you do install, download the Main Edition ISO and burn onto a CD. Boot up from that and you can run off the CD initially to try it and then install. There is an OEM version that I was advised to avoid but not sure why!!

Give it a try, you wont regret it

Andrew

sí, tenemos no hay platanos

Thanks for the information, Andrew. I already have the ISO image on a CD and the obvious thing for me to do is to install it alongside ubuntu (there is enough room on the disk). I know the theory of how to do that but am a bit wary of going ahead. I need to "summon up the courage" to do something I have never done before!

Thanks again,

Trevor

BTBroadband Option 1 - Speed: Up to 8Mbps

Well the procedure detects any existing OS and defaults to re-partitioning to accommodate the new OS. Just make sure the correct boxes are ticked before you start! Thereafter it can take a long worrying time to partition.

Is there no backup facility with Ubuntu? Or better still, do you have a spare HD you can plug in as a secondary drive?

Andrew

I'm using a secondary HDD for ubuntu and this is where all the space is! The main hard disk holds WindowsXP and I just don't want to mess about with that.

I'll take a long look at the possibility of having ubuntu and Helena on the same secondary disk.

BTBroadband Option 1 - Speed: Up to 8Mbps

What I would do therefore, is disconnect the drive that carries XP, make the Ubuntu drive temporarily the master, check the boot sequence is correct, install Helena, make sure it all works and then put it all back as it was

My non-XP PC has four drives in it that I switch around just by pulling the IDE connectors in and out. With the power off, of course

Andrew

Why not install it to a bootable USB drive/stick?

John and Andrew,

Thanks for all the information and suggestions; I have been mulling them over and I'll let you both know what I do. I'm too cold today to be dynamic!

Trevor

BTBroadband Option 1 - Speed: Up to 8Mbps

To improve your dynamism have a look here! That'll warm you up. Warm me up too next month

Andrew