How easy is it to upgrade from one version of Mint to the next?
Specifically, Iam new to Linux, tho' experienced in Windows.
I gather Mint 8 is now imminent. Should I get 7 now, and upgradel ater, or wait for the new version?
Upgrading
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There are no such things as "stupid" questions. However if you think your question is a bit stupid, then this is the right place for you to post it. Stick to easy to-the-point questions that you feel people can answer fast. For long and complicated questions use the other forums in the support section.
Before you post read how to get help. Topics in this forum are automatically closed 6 months after creation.
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DataMan
Re: Upgrading
A few non-technical things to ponder on an upgrade:
1. Is something broken / defective on the current version that you are using that is addressed in the new version?
2. Is a capability that you don't have in the current version part of the new version (assuming that you need it).
3. Is the new version full of glitch's and if so, can you tolerate disruptions on your production install?
Normally, the upgrade can be accomplished in 2 fashions:
1. As a re-write over your existing installation. This in essence destroys your original install version and you are fully committed from that point on. New released versions usually have this as an option.
2. Do a fresh install of the new version in addition to your current installation. This will preserve your production installation while you "kick the tires" on the new version. There are ways to transfer your settings to the new version (search is your friend). This is my personal preference as I actually need to have a stable production installation at all times (I telecommute on a regular basis).
Just a few meanderings...
-DataMan
1. Is something broken / defective on the current version that you are using that is addressed in the new version?
2. Is a capability that you don't have in the current version part of the new version (assuming that you need it).
3. Is the new version full of glitch's and if so, can you tolerate disruptions on your production install?
Normally, the upgrade can be accomplished in 2 fashions:
1. As a re-write over your existing installation. This in essence destroys your original install version and you are fully committed from that point on. New released versions usually have this as an option.
2. Do a fresh install of the new version in addition to your current installation. This will preserve your production installation while you "kick the tires" on the new version. There are ways to transfer your settings to the new version (search is your friend). This is my personal preference as I actually need to have a stable production installation at all times (I telecommute on a regular basis).
Just a few meanderings...
-DataMan
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vrkalak
Re: Upgrading
As the release of LinuxMint-8 RC Helena is only days away.
I'd wait!! As doing a 'fresh' install is always better.
Why install LM-7 now, then in a few days do another install of LM-8?
Doing a fresh/new install of a Distro is always better than upgrading from one version to another.
Especially, if you are a Linux n00b ... sometimes updating/upgrading versions of a Distro comes with bugs/glitches/kinks
Better to avoid them ... and do a fresh install.
And Helena-8 will be here before you know it.
I'd wait!! As doing a 'fresh' install is always better.
Why install LM-7 now, then in a few days do another install of LM-8?
Doing a fresh/new install of a Distro is always better than upgrading from one version to another.
Especially, if you are a Linux n00b ... sometimes updating/upgrading versions of a Distro comes with bugs/glitches/kinks
Better to avoid them ... and do a fresh install.
And Helena-8 will be here before you know it.
Re: Upgrading
If Mint 8 is only days away, I have a question: How long will 7 be supported? I just installed it and like it, but if it won't be supported with updates for much longer, should I move to 8 soon?
Learning Mint, in Julia, on a desktop with 3.0GHz Pentium 4, GeForce 7800GS, 2GB RAM, and Belkin F5D8053. 
The world ends with you. If you want to enjoy life, expand your world. You gotta push your horizons out as far as they’ll go. -- TWEWY
The world ends with you. If you want to enjoy life, expand your world. You gotta push your horizons out as far as they’ll go. -- TWEWY
Re: Upgrading
Mint 7 still has over 11 months of support
Re: Upgrading
Perfect. Thanks!
I will stay in Mint 7 then, since it seems to be working so well. I need a mojito wallpaper for it...
I will stay in Mint 7 then, since it seems to be working so well. I need a mojito wallpaper for it...
Learning Mint, in Julia, on a desktop with 3.0GHz Pentium 4, GeForce 7800GS, 2GB RAM, and Belkin F5D8053.
The world ends with you. If you want to enjoy life, expand your world. You gotta push your horizons out as far as they’ll go. -- TWEWY
The world ends with you. If you want to enjoy life, expand your world. You gotta push your horizons out as far as they’ll go. -- TWEWY
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vrkalak
Re: Upgrading
KittyKat:
Your wish is my commend:
http://www.fotosearch.com/photos-images/mojito.html
Welcome to LinuxMint and if Gloria (7) works keep using it. No need to upgrade, yet.
Your wish is my commend:
http://www.fotosearch.com/photos-images/mojito.html
Welcome to LinuxMint and if Gloria (7) works keep using it. No need to upgrade, yet.
Re: Upgrading
Mmm, mojitos....
Gloria works really well, aside from the total lack of flash in Firefx, but that happens in Windows too, I had just forgottten about it. I'm trying to fix that now, but may end up making a thread about it if it keeps defying me.
I will now return this thread to its regular scheduled programming.
Gloria works really well, aside from the total lack of flash in Firefx, but that happens in Windows too, I had just forgottten about it. I'm trying to fix that now, but may end up making a thread about it if it keeps defying me.
I will now return this thread to its regular scheduled programming.
Learning Mint, in Julia, on a desktop with 3.0GHz Pentium 4, GeForce 7800GS, 2GB RAM, and Belkin F5D8053.
The world ends with you. If you want to enjoy life, expand your world. You gotta push your horizons out as far as they’ll go. -- TWEWY
The world ends with you. If you want to enjoy life, expand your world. You gotta push your horizons out as far as they’ll go. -- TWEWY
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dawgdoc
Re: Upgrading
Open ended questions, what lovely things. This one is sure to generate a lot of opinions.
If you are not yet using Mint, vrkalak makes an excellent point.
In Mint I believe the development team backports all security patches and bug fixes to versions that are still supported, and definitely to the LTS release that is still in the support cycle. Mint7 will be supported until about October 2010. It is much more likely that I will skip Mint8 altogether and go for Mint9 once it has been out for a month or more. Mint9 is the next LTS, Long Term Support release and is expected to be supported until April 2013.
I started with Mint6 and then changed to Mint7 and did the fresh/full install route for the change. Keeping all of your data in partitions separate from the root partition makes a fresh install much easier. Clem and the rest of the Mint Team recommend a fresh install. However, a week or two after the distro is released, upgrade instructions are generally published.revmalc wrote:How easy is it to upgrade from one version of Mint to the next?
If you are not yet using Mint, vrkalak makes an excellent point.
If you are already using Mint7 and definitely want to move to Mint8, Dataman gives very sound advice:vrkalak wrote: I'd wait!! As doing a 'fresh' install is always better. Why install LM-7 now, then in a few days do another install of LM-8?
I usually wait for a while before changing OSes, I let the others find the bugs and then decide if I will make the change. If I move up to Mint8, I will probably wait a month or more before making a fresh install of it. (Never upgraded Windows until sometime after the first service pack was released, if even then.) I'm not usually one to live on the bleeding edge. Although I have updated a few programs to versions newer than found in the Mint repositories by adding ubuntu repositories (Pidgin). I have also added programs from deb packages, such as lightscribe support.DataMan wrote:... Is something broken / defective on the current version that you are using that is addressed in the new version?
... Do a fresh install of the new version in addition to your current installation. This will preserve your production installation while you "kick the tires" on the new version. There are ways to transfer your settings to the new version (search is your friend). This is my personal preference as I actually need to have a stable production installation at all times (I telecommute on a regular basis).
In Mint I believe the development team backports all security patches and bug fixes to versions that are still supported, and definitely to the LTS release that is still in the support cycle. Mint7 will be supported until about October 2010. It is much more likely that I will skip Mint8 altogether and go for Mint9 once it has been out for a month or more. Mint9 is the next LTS, Long Term Support release and is expected to be supported until April 2013.