Boring Mint??

[deanr72]

I use Linux Mint 18.3 and Mate 16.04 and, as I'm fairly new to Linux/Ubuntu, am constantly looking online for reviews and info and stats etc. re. the best DEs to use...

One thing I came across is that Mint is rather boring in comparison to the other distros - and I tend to agree. Of my two work-horses I tend to veer towards Mate than Mint. Which is really weird, because I've had that many more problems with Ubuntu Mate than Linux Mint. So why do I persist with Mate when Mint is so much better especially OTB?

Even just a couple of days ago I encountered a very rare problem with Mint and was advised via a pop-up to download and add a PPA which wasn't installed. Problem solved! This would have taken me ages to work out with Mate - but, no - Mint was right there to solve the problem for me without any issues. So, boring, yes - maybe. Awesome, yes.

I know in a perverse way I enjoy fighting with problems like a lot of Windows > Ubuntu migrants. But really, confused? Why wouldn't I want a computer that simply works and, upon encountering the occasional issue, simply solves itself? And yet, at the same time, feel it's lacking something? Is this the definition of masochism?

And, yes, FYI, I have tweaked and tweaked Mint until the point of breaking over the last few months and it simply refuses to give in.

[Arch_Enemy]

Well, until I broke my system trying to install something from a newer version, it sure was boring. However, it's still boring because it is now stuck where it is. But, that's OK too because it has everything I need, so it's no biggie.

My other Mint installation is equally boring as well. Everything just works. I don't have anything to fix.

Time to have another look at Arch...

[absque fenestris]

Since there are already two heavy threads about the best and the most common Linux distribution running, we could now open the ranking about:

A - the most boring Linux distribution
B - the most masochistic Linux distribution

For B I suggest the "Venus In Fur" price, for A I am not so sure

[Pierre]

and Boring = Reliable

and which Microsoft is Nether Reliable or Boring.

[Hoser Rob]

The simple truth is that you've just been VERY lucky.

[karlchen]

Luck favours the experts.

[Moem]

I want a boring OS so I can use it for things that are not boring. I want to spend time using my laptop, not fiddling with it. Mint is exactly right for that.

[kc1di]

Boring means stable and for many of us that is GOOOD !

[Sir Charles]

Multi-booting is how I remedy the boredom.

[mtj]

Happy to be bored

[sammiev]

I wake up every morning wondering which computer that will be used today.
Then choose which OS to boot into.

After each shut down, the process starts again.

I'm sure glad camping season starts next week.

[all41]

For this computer I originally installed 17.3 Mate as soon as it was released. Some 6 months later I knocked the tower over while it was running and killed the hd, so I had to do a fresh install on a new hd.
sudo ls -alct /root | grep .profile
reports that reinstall was on Apr 30, 2016.
I experiment, fondle, abuse, and violate most every convention---and this system is still running without issues.
That's rather exciting, not boring

[lsemmens]

I'm Bored!!!!

[AndyMH]

I was thinking myself about posting something along the lines of 'mint is boring'. Been using it a couple of years, came down a v steep learning curve. Had a raft of problems (thank god for this forum), tried things, broke stuff, fixed stuff. Most of that excitement and the challenge of the unknown is gone now, still have the odd problem. So, yes, mint is boring, it's boring because its rock solid, stable and reliable - it just works! I can't imagine using anything else (okay I have to use win in a VM because of work, but no choice there).

[Chemical_Ali]

Many years ago when I was using Windows, I was bored and tired. So, I decided to run a virus. Brilliant! The virus program I was using didn't detect the virus, so I spent hours trying to undue the damage. Maybe if you are bored, you could run a Linux virus? Or even better... Ransomware.

[deanr72]

Oh, I'd forgotten the joys of ridding a system of viruses

[Arch_Enemy]

Since there are already two heavy threads about the best and the most common Linux distribution running, we could now open the ranking about:

A - the most boring Linux distribution
B - the most masochistic Linux distribution

For B I suggest the "Venus In Fur" price, for A I am not so sure

Most masochistic is Linux from Scratch, with SLackware running a close second.

I got bored so I installed Arch, which is the 3rd most masochistic. Why????

[bob466]

I suppose Mint is a little boring compared to Windoze.

Running Windoze 7 you’re constantly scanning for Viruses and Malware...then trying to remove them.

Manually updating all Software...Drivers and Web Browsers which takes forever. Removing Bloatware that Windoze constantly adds to the file system...my best friend was CCleaner. Going into the Registry and deleting registry keys from software that when removed didn’t want to go.

Getting the dreaded Blue Screen of Death now and then for no bloody reason. Searching for updates and either getting none or updates that screw your system or updates that install Spyware and Malware...then you have to Re-Boot.

Having to run...Disk Cleanup...Disk Defragmenter...System file check...Check Disk and my favourite...bootrec /fixmbr...bootrec /fixmbr...and because I was running Windoze 7 constantly being told by Micro$oft to get Windoze Spyware 10 or else.

Since switching to Mint I don’t have to do any of the above because Mint 18.3 is so Superior in every way...so you could say it’s a little Boring.

[Pepi]

Remember when Windows WAS NEVER BORING

[kenetics]

If you are bored with Mint, try installing LInux From Scratch or "Go nuts with NuTyX".