Time To Stay With Linux Mint

[dorsetUK]

Not only does Mint work for lots of people OOB but it often works much better for them Than the operating system they came from . . . . and they never even open the terminal or have complied an app.

So - good for beginners

I wondered about this because although I'm just a 'user', I know that any Linux can do far more than I want. I just thought that most 'users' would also know that, so an OS that an expert can use, that is also good for beginners, seems to me to be a good thing.

[Pjotr]

an OS that an expert can use, that is also good for beginners, seems to me to be a good thing.

Spot on.

Personally, I can probably do my daily computing on all distro's. But hey, I'm lazy as hell; so I love easy.

I only want to tackle complications when I choose to, whenever I feel like a bit of brain exercise. I don't want to be forced to take 'em on. So Mint is excellent for me.

[RollyShed]

Not only does Mint work for lots of people OOB but it often works much better for them Than the operating system they came from . . . . and they never even open the terminal or have complied an app.

So - good for beginners
I wondered about this because although I'm just a 'user', I know that any Linux can do far more than I want. I just thought that most 'users' would also know that, so an OS that an expert can use, that is also good for beginners, seems to me to be a good thing.

Exactly. Of the 20+ installations I've done in the past year, not one of the users would know what the Terminal was. They simply get on with the job of using their computers.

[majpooper]

Not only does Mint work for lots of people OOB but it often works much better for them Than the operating system they came from . . . . and they never even open the terminal or have complied an app.

So - good for beginners
I wondered about this because although I'm just a 'user', I know that any Linux can do far more than I want. I just thought that most 'users' would also know that, so an OS that an expert can use, that is also good for beginners, seems to me to be a good thing.

Exactly. Of the 20+ installations I've done in the past year, not one of the users would know what the Terminal was. They simply get on with the job of using their computers.

Which, of course, was exactly my point. I have installed and support Mint for a handful of folks - not a one uses the terminal. For a few I put shortcuts (soft links) on the desktop for all the apps they use so all they need to do is "point and click" they don't even have to use the menu. On the other hand if you want to play around with .css files to alter the look here and there, customize icons, write shell scripts to automate tasks and so on - have at it.

[DPM]

The implication being that if it works out of the box then it must so simple that a beginner can install it and start using it then it must be of limited utility because, of course. a "real" linux distro is for knowledgeable linux experts.

Mint just working is what many Linux pros will never forgive Clem. All those years of working hard through tons of bad UI, and then Mint comes along with good UI, making all the effort look like having been in vain. Even worse, now people come onboard who don't see Linux as going through an initiatory journey, but who just want to use the computer.

The fun part is that this is exactly how a work-share society is supposed to be. Experts in a domain make things so that the non-experts of that domain can just use them. Everyone gets this - with the exception of IT experts who readily consume, but refuse to deliver. For these folks, I'd just love them visiting their dentist when they are in great pain, and then their dentist hands them over the syringe and the drill: "here are the sources."

Not only does Mint work for lots of people OOB but it often works much better for them Than the operating system they came from . . . . and they never even open the terminal or have complied an app.

I also have installed Mint for non-IT folks in my family, and they are happy so far. I'd rate Mint on a par with Win 7. Being on a par isn't enough to trigger a change - but Microsoft has lowered the bar so much with Win 10 that Mint actually wins for people who aren't locked in to Windows through Windows-only applications or hardcore-gaming.

[BrianI]

I must admit I'm guilty of distro swapping at the moment, currently I'm running Kubuntu 20.04

Very flexible and customisable is the KDE Plasma desktop. But it can also be over complicated with endless settings for your options. Plus sometimes there are just tiny little paper cuts which add up to an annoying experience.

So yes, I think overall, Mint Cinnamon just gives the overall best experience for those who want to use their systems, e.g. for production use, photo editing etc, rather than those who want to play with their systems using rolling release distros etc.

[BrianI]

I must admit I'm guilty of distro swapping at the moment, currently I'm running Kubuntu 20.04

Very flexible and customisable is the KDE Plasma desktop. But it can also be over complicated with endless settings for your options. Plus sometimes there are just tiny little paper cuts which add up to an annoying experience.

So yes, I think overall, Mint Cinnamon just gives the overall best experience for those who want to use their systems, e.g. for production use, photo editing etc, rather than those who want to play with their systems using rolling release distros etc.

Anyway, a quick restoration of my Mint Cinammon installation via Timeshift (I'm glad I never hosed the timeshift backups during my distro hopping phase), and Bob is indeed your mother's brother!