The Linux Mint team announced the release of the Beta version of Linux Mint 20.2, which is an LTS release that will be supported until 2025. The new release comes with various new features and improvements. According to the announcement, users will be able to upgrade to the 20.2 beta from Linux Mint 20 and 20.1. Users will also be able to upgrade from the 20.2 beta to the stable release when released. The team also warned users to use this version only for testing and report the bugs to its Github page.
Update Manager
The beta version comes with a new update manager and notification system. The new update manager will show how many updates are available, how long they have been available for and the duration that the computer was on during that time. The Linux Mint team also stated that they didn’t want to follow how Windows or Max handles the update notifications, thus they can be annoying for users.
The new system will not show a notification for 2 days if it is dismissed and if the updates are applied, it is gone for a long time. The condition for the notification will be configurable by the users. The manager will show notifications for the update that has been available for more than 7 logged-in days or if it’s older than 15 calendar days by default. However, these values can be configured by the user. The Update Manager only counts security and kernel updates as being relevant for notifications. It also automates the Flatpak updates and removes unused Flatpak runtimes.
Sticky Notes
In the beta version, Sticky Notes becomes the default application for taking notes, instead of GNote. Sticky Notes is also developed in GTK3 and supports HiDPI. Sticky Notes allows users to create notes and place them on the desktop and quick access with the icon tray button. The application also allows users to customize the notes and the text and also comes with a backup mechanism. Users will be able to import their GNote notes to Sticky Notes.
Warpinator
Warpinator allows users to transfer files from computer to computes in a local network. With its new Android application, phone and tablet users can also share files. Warpinator features the ability to select which network interface you want to use.
FAQ
What is the latest version of Linux Mint?
The latest version of Linux Mint is Linux Mint 21.1 "Vera".
Is Linux Mint free?
Yes, Linux Mint is a completely free and open-source operating system, which means that it is available for anyone to use, modify and distribute without any cost.
Is Linux Mint lightweight?
Linux Mint is considered a lightweight operating system compared to other Linux distributions that are designed for enterprise use. It is designed to be user-friendly and provides a balance between performance and functionality.
Is Linux Mint good for old computers?
Linux Mint is a good option for users who have older computers and want a lightweight, stable, and secure system that can run smoothly on their hardware. Linux Mint provides two different desktop environments, Cinnamon and MATE, both of which are lightweight and can run smoothly on older hardware. Additionally, Linux Mint's Software Manager allows users to easily install and remove software, which means that users can choose to run only the software they need, and avoid running software that can slow down their system.
Can Linux Mint be installed on a virtual machine?
Yes, Linux Mint can be installed on a virtual machine. A virtual machine (VM) allows you to run an operating system within another operating system. This means that you can install Linux Mint on a virtual machine and run it on top of your current operating system, without the need to replace it or partition your hard drive. To install Linux Mint on VMWare, you can refer to our article: How to create VM and install a Linux distro on VMWare Workstation
Can I run Linux Mint on a USB stick?
Yes, you can run Linux Mint on a USB stick. You can create a live USB drive with Linux Mint, which allows you to boot the operating system from the USB stick and run it on any computer that supports booting from a USB drive. This is also known as a "Live USB" or "Live USB drive". It's worth noting that running Linux Mint from a USB drive can be slower than running it from a hard drive, and also the changes you make to the system while running it from USB will not be saved when you shut down the system unless you use a persistent mode.
Is Linux Mint still supported?
Linux Mint is still actively supported and developed and has a strong community that continues to work on improving the distribution and providing support to its users.