New to linux, and to mint. Loving it so far.

[Pecon]

Hello.

I've long been a dedicated windows power user, but the idea of linux has always interested me. Unfortunately, until recently, linux had always fallen under the "Don't have time to bother learning it" area. After having moved to a new school campus, which has only 32-bit Windows XP computers (Filled to the brim with wares that give the awful administration an iron grip over them), I decided it might be fun to load linux up on a USB stick to use instead. So I went ahead and booted up my Ubuntu dual-boot (I had set it up a long while back when I thought I might start trying it, but once I had it installed I ended up kinda just forgetting about it) and used it's built-in liveUSB creator. Brought that the next day and was pleasantly surprised at how much faster it was (Probably because the USB interface was faster than the aging HDD was). Still, I wasn't completely sold on it. Felt kinda clunky. At this point I received some tips on other distros that were considered better, and since I was somewhat of a beginner, the main thing I was recommended was Linux Mint. Unfortunately, I had quite a difficult time installing Linux Mint to my USB flash drive :c, took me a few days to find a way to get it right. I finally have it working and am extremely impressed at how much more smooth and bug-free it was compared to Ubuntu. The only drawback is that I only managed to get Mint 10 installed on it... I'll probably go back and try the successful method again with an updated iso later. And that brings me to here today.

tl;dr: I'm new to mint, hi.

Any recommendations on any applications that might trump the default ones?

[vrkalak]

Welcome to LinuxMint

Read everything you can -- Forums - Wiki - IRC

Linux: Tricks of the Trade > http://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?f=60&t=38355
What works for Ubuntu, usually works for Mint > http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/
Linux Alternative to Windows > http://www.linuxalt.com/

Remember, all OS-Distro, Apps, DE/WM are Open-Source and have a Help-Forum

[The-Wizard]

Welcome to the Mint family forums

wizard

[Crewp]

Welcome to Linux Mint, and the Mint forum.

[jesica]

Good day and welcome to the family