You talk about a 'Topic' that has gone astray -- this is IT!
In relation to the original post; you are completely right to be frustrated by the less-than-intuitive method of changing the date. The users who have posted to try and help you achieve the format you desire are helpful, but merely support your original point; it doesn't have to that complex for the 'average' computer user.
Cinnamon is a relatively new Desktop Environment, designed and developed by Linux Mint, in response to some fairly strong user dissatifaction regarding the direction that at least one established Desktop Environment (Gnome) was taking. I bring this point up, not to start another divergence from your query, but to point out that since Cinnamon is relatively new, it is going through stages of development. Some of those changes will come from the primary developers and some will come from utilities (applets) developed by other Linux Mint users, like yourself (and me
). Bimsebasse (thank you for your efforts BTW) is a prime example of an end user who adds to the value of Cinnamon, with applets, themes, etc. In any event, simplifying the DATE format function in Cinnamon will come eventually, by the primary developers creating something, or an end user such as bimsebasse, who sees an 'itch that needs to be scratched'. It will just take a little more time.
There are other Linux distributions that may simplify the DATE format process to your liking. One of the distinct differences between Linux and MS Windows or Apple Mac OSX is it's diversity. Anyone with a vision and the technical know how can create an 'operating system' from the modular parts available freely in the Linux community. If you take a look at the website
http://distrowatch.com/, you will find a listing of 100 variations of Linux being offered for consideration to end users looking for something to satisfy their computing needs. Some of these are specialty distributions, targeted for a specific need (scientific, forensic, analysis, etc), but most are targeted for end users with more general needs. Within this computer community, there are distributions designed for easy of use, and those designed to satisfy the 'hard-core' power user. With all this diversity, 'caveat emptor'. Distrowatch is a good 'launch point' to explore the diversity of Linux. A good general news source is
http://linuxhomepage.com/.
Linux Mint, itself, is an attempt to provide several desktop environments in which a broad range of end users (from the 'uber geek' to the 'newbie') can be happy. With such a wide audience to cater to, Linux Mint will sometimes completely satisfy and sometimes completely frustrate someone who tries it. From its wide acceptance as an alternative to Windows or Mac OSX, it is hitting its mark pretty well.
I found, like Orbmiser, the comments of sagirfahmid3 to be not only rude, but misguided. The Linux community that existed 10 years ago, is not the same community that exists today; it is far less 'geeky' and vastly more helpful and receptive to those of use who are not as technically proficient. With sagirfahmid3, you truly got a 'blast from the past'. When I started exploring Linux, about 8 years ago, I would go on a distribution's forum like this and ask a similar question to the one you posted originally; often the response was 'RTFM' ('r' for read, 't' for the, 'm' for manual
). Eventually, I found distributions and forums that catered to my level of expertise, and were more civil. I believe, in general, this is a helpful, civil forum where you can grow with Linux to the extent you may desire.
I am sorry for the length of this post. I was only trying to 1> affirm the validity of your frustration, 2> provide a little background for your consideration, and 3> to welcome you to Linux and Linux Mint!
Hawkeye52
