| Linux Mint 10 gains new theme, menu system |
Nov. 12, 2010
 The Linux Mint team released the final Linux Mint 10 ("Julia"), based on Ubuntu 10.10. the popular desktop Linux distribution adds one-click upgrades to the DVD edition, as well as performance improvements, improved software and update managers, GTK support, and revised menus that highlights new apps.
Linux Mint 10 arrives less than three months after Linux Mint 9, based on Ubuntu 10.04. This "Isadora" release featured a new software manager with 30,000 packages, a new backup tool, and menu and interface improvements.
Linux Mint 10
The new "Julia" version is based on Ubuntu 10.10, which was released last month. Linux Mint 10 moves up to Linux kernel 2.6.35, as well as GNOME 2.32, and Xorg 7.5, says the Linux Mint team.
The first thing Mint users will notice is that the green "Shiki" theme has been replaced with a new Mint-X theme (see image above). Mint-X is said to harken back to earlier designs, but adds a metallic looking sheen to the backgrounds. New backgrounds are available, and Mint-X modifications have been made to various menus and widgets (see below).
Mint-X theme
The most hyped new feature in Mint 10 -- one click updates to the DVD edition -- doesn't sound like much at first glance, but dispenses with a major hassle for many new users who don't have DVD drives. "No matter what media you're installing Linux Mint from, the Welcome Screen will now give you the opportunity to install the missing multimedia codecs and to upgrade to the DVD edition," says the Mint team.
Linux Mint's new menu system now highlights newly installed applications, making them easier to locate (see image below). The menu is aware of software available in one's repositories so users can search for packages without opening the software manager, says the Mint team. The menu system has also been revamped to integrate a universal search function, and it nos supports GTK bookmarks and GTK themes.
Menus now highlight newly installed applications
Other new features include a software manager (below) that has been upgraded with icons and better categorization of apps, says the Mint team. The update manager meanwhile, now shows file size, and lets you mark "ignore updates" on particular packages. Mint's more developer-focused upload manager has also been improved with enhanced dialog boxes, and the ability to test connections.
Mint 10's software manager, featuring new icons
Finally, various system and performance improvements have been made. The most notable is that Linux Mint now integrates the latest Adobe Flash "Square", running in full 32-bit or 64-bit native mode. The Square plugin is said to be faster than its predecessor, especially in full-screen.
Availability
Linux Mint 10 is now available for free download, says the Mint team. The Linux Mint blog announcement, with links to downloads, may be found here, and new features are further detailed here.
-- Eric Brown
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