Mint 20.2 Beta

[ajgringo619]

Is this for real (link found on Distrowatch a few minutes ago)?

[Flemur]

Is this for real (link found on Distrowatch a few minutes ago)?

Maybe -
https://community.linuxmint.com/iso
1 Day ago clem linuxmint-20.2-Cinnamon-amd64-202106141242

[deepakdeshp]

That means 20.2 stable should be due may be with 2 to 3 weeks?

[ajgringo619]

Is this for real (link found on Distrowatch a few minutes ago)?

Maybe -
https://community.linuxmint.com/iso
1 Day ago clem linuxmint-20.2-Cinnamon-amd64-202106141242

Interesting...surprised there's been no announcement post yet; that's why I was questioning the validity of the Distrowatch link.

[jimallyn]

Wouldn't be the first time somebody found a new beta before the release was announced.

[mshmm]

The ISO files are seeded to the mirrors *before* the official announcement, so that when you click on the links in the announcement they actually work

The seeding process takes a few days.

That said, I'm currently downloading linuxmint-20.2-cinnamon-64bit-beta.iso so I can try it out

[MoreLinux]

Was already announced in the May Monthly news. https://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=4072

We’re hoping to have the BETA ready by mid-June.

so they are spot on

[kc1di]

downloading now will give it a try.

[xenopeek]

I removed the link in above posts; the beta isn't released yet as not all mirrors are synced yet. I understand the curiosity/eagerness to try it Let's allow the mirrors time to sync the ISOs so that the beta can be released.

The beta release will be announced on https://blog.linuxmint.com/. The announcement will include overview of what's new, the list of known issues you'll most likely need and information about where to report issues. I suggest to wait for that.

Before the announcement the QA team (who test the beta before it is released) might still find a problem that could need a new beta ISO be made. If anybody is interested and you're already involved with Linux Mint (in support channels or on GitHub) feel free to contact me and discuss if you can join the QA team.

[Flemur]

I ran the USB and it worked fine
/etc/os-release:

Code: Select all

NAME="Linux Mint"
VERSION="20.2 (Uma)"
ID=linuxmint
ID_LIKE=ubuntu
PRETTY_NAME="Linux Mint 20.2"
VERSION_ID="20.2"
HOME_URL="https://www.linuxmint.com/"
SUPPORT_URL="https://forums.linuxmint.com/"
BUG_REPORT_URL="http://linuxmint-troubleshooting-guide.readthedocs.io/en/latest/"
PRIVACY_POLICY_URL="https://www.linuxmint.com/"
VERSION_CODENAME=uma
UBUNTU_CODENAME=focal

[axisofevil]

So if I wanted to mention something I interpret as a bug in 20.2 - is this the correct channel?

[xenopeek]

No. The beta announcement will include information about where to report issues. Past few releases that has been in a dedicated GitHub project and I assume the same will go for this release. That project isn't open yet. It will open once the beta is official and announced.

[Hoser Rob]

Beta releases are unreliable by definition. Unless you have a very, very new machine that isn't well served by the available kernels etc in 20.1 I'd think about this.

[xenopeek]

20.2 uses the same kernel as is current for 20.1 so that should be fine. Running the beta is usually fine if you're okay with some papercuts; during the weeks of beta testing beta installations receive package updates to fix issues so it gets less papercutty by the day. But yes, I would at least wait for the announcement so you have the known issues. And if you're not interested in helping to test Linux Mint just wait for the final release.

[axisofevil]

I'm not really that interested in Mint - but its a good test environment for nemo.

It will be some time until LMDE5 gets released - but it will look and behave substantially like Mint 20.2 (or better).

It is quite safe to run a beta release in a VM.

[HaveaMint]

So far no problems on 20.2 XFCE, installation went smooth and everything I use seems to be working just fine. Thanks to the Mint team for yet another fine edition.

[Larry78723]

LM20.2 Beta has been officially announced on the blog:

Cinnamon: https://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=4077
MATE: https://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=4078
Xfce: https://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=4079

[MurphCID]

It looks exciting. Thanks to the Mint team for all the hard work and dedication.

[LanceM]

I tried Cinnamon 20.2. All fine. One difference I see is in the update manager, Automation has "Update cinnamon Spices automatically". Not sure what this will do.

[SMG]

I tried Cinnamon 20.2. All fine. One difference I see is in the update manager, Automation has "Update cinnamon Spices automatically". Not sure what this will do.

That was described in the Mint blog Monthly News – April 2021. Scroll down to the section on Update Manager.