Optimization Linux Mint ??

[crismblog]

What programs should be deleted and the work must be stopped to consume fewer resources? The desktop is the MATE.

[xenopeek]

What is your primary focus, memory or CPU/power usage? You can disable some services if you don't need them, but it will mostly only save you some memory as services you already didn't use consume a negligible amount of CPU/power.

Here's a list to get started, probably there are some more services you could remove. This is from my quick-wins list Noting that I think it is a good idea these services are enabled by default, giving average users the best out-of-the-box experience (connectivity wise).

Some obvious services to disable to win some memory, if you aren't using them.

• Open Startup Applications in the menu, disable services you aren't using. For example from this list:
  
  • Bluetooth Manager - only needed if you have bluetooth devices
  • Desktop Sharing - only needed if you share your desktop with others
  • mintUpload - only needed if you use it to upload files to servers
  • Print Queue Applet - only needed if you have a real printer, not for print-to-file
  • User folders update - only needed if you switch languages, and want your personal folders to be renamed each time you switch to a another language
  • Visual Assistance - only needed if you have a vision disability
  • Xhost + - only needed for making your X server (screen + keyboard + mouse) usable by other X clients, such as a program running on somebody else's computer showing output on your screen and reading input from your keyboard and mouse
  • Zeitgeist Datahub - GNOME's built-in spyware, or at least I don't know what other function it serves but to track what you do on your own computer
• Samba + Avahi - Samba needed for file and printer sharing with other computers on the local network, Avahi for auto-discovery of services on the local network. You can disable either or both, if you aren't using those features: viewtopic.php?f=90&t=82044&p=476278#p476278
• Modemmanager - only needed if you have a (USB) modem: viewtopic.php?t=101010&f=42
• Dnsmasq - only needed if you use VPN: disable by editing the file /etc/NetworkManager/NetworkManager.conf:
  

  Code: Select all

  sudo nano /etc/NetworkManager/NetworkManager.conf

  
  and put a "#" in front of the line "dns=dnsmasq", so that it reads
  

  Code: Select all

  #dns=dnsmasq

  
  Ctrl+O followed by Enter key to save the file, Ctrl+X to exit. Then do:
  

  Code: Select all

  sudo restart network-manager

[crismblog]

Thanks

[igor83]

That was an enlightening post, thanks. I did the same thing on Windows XP, disabling about a dozen unnecessary services to free up resources. So I looked for info on how to do the same on what I view as the natural successor to Windows XP, Linux Mint.

[joshg253]

Great post, Vincent! I had already disabled most of those startup applications.

I couldn't get online anymore (WiFi) after commenting out dnsmasq. Removed the hashmark and restarted network-manager and it works fine again.

For further optimization, I'm wondering if compiling a custom kernel would be worth it.

[cwwgateway]

If you're running debian, you can use the liquorix kernel, but I don't know if it works with Ubuntu.

Edit: there's some other stuff on this list - http://www.datamation.com/open-source/getting-the-most-from-ubuntu-20-tips-1.html