Linux Mint at all times follows its Ubuntu base (LTS with long-term assist) after some delay. Version 21.3 has simply introduced its system base as much as the extent of Ubuntu 22.04.3, i.e. the third replace of the Ubuntu LTS model 22.04.

While Ubuntu routinely installs such level releases as a part of the replace administration, the extraordinarily conservative Linux Mint interprets this as a model step that person should actively request, otherwise you’ll in any other case stay with the earlier minor model.

Linux Mint additionally stays cautious relating to kernel updates: It doesn’t observe Ubuntu’s step (22.04.3) to Linux kernel 6.2 and stays with model 21.3 of kernel 5.15 with long-term assist. This could be modified at any time within the replace administration underneath “View – Kernel” however solely by actively doing so.

Linux Mint is conservative, however retains up: The incontrovertible fact that the Wayland window protocol will eventually exchange X11/Xorg is now additionally accepted right here and in progress. The Cinnamon foremost version now presents elective Wayland operation.

Like Ubuntu LTS, Linux Mint might be supplied with updates for 5 years. In the case of model 21.3, this implies assist till April 2027, as that is counted from the primary launch of Ubuntu 22.04 (April 2022). The assist interval applies to all three Mint editions.

Yes – there are nonetheless two different flavors along with the Cinnamon version: For the editions with Mate and XFCE, nonetheless, nothing modifications in any respect on the desktop, as a result of Mate stays at model 1.26 and XFCE at model 4.18. Only a couple of marginal modifications to the equipment (Warpinator, Hypnotix) are additionally to be discovered there.

Linux Mint 21.3: What’s new?

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Not very a lot. The modular Cinnamon Spices now have the extra merchandise “Actions” within the “System settings” along with the earlier classes “Applets” (for the system bar), “Desklets” (desktop devices), “Extensions” (Cinnamon results) and “Themes” (visible themes).

These are small extra features for the Nemo file supervisor, which have been beforehand situated there as “Nemo actions” (similar to calling up the system settings or restarting Cinnamon through the right-click desktop context menu). The new “actions” within the system heart are subsequently only a transfer to a extra outstanding location.

A brand new elective supply seems within the software package deal sources: The “Romeo” repository presents present, however presumably nonetheless unstable software program packages that may be activated right here – at your individual threat.

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The “System settings – Screen” merchandise reveals the 4 choices: “75%”, “100%”, “125%” and “150%” for “Screen scaling”, supplied the characteristic is activated within the “Settings” tab. The discount to 75 % is new, however the complete operate is rigorously marked as “experimental”.

Another small characteristic could be seen when right-clicking on a program hyperlink within the Cinnamon foremost menu: The entries now present the extra possibility “Properties.” This can be utilized to customise a program launcher, however it is usually a fast and simple technique to decide this system identify.

The Mint crew additionally continues to domesticate its small hobbyhorses:

The Hypnotix accent is an accumulator of a number of thousand free IP-TV channels and now will get a brand new favorites assortment for sooner channel choice.

The Warpinator is a interest of Mint boss Lefèbvre: It permits encrypted peer-to-peer information change within the native community (with no server) and might now join on to the specified machine by coming into the IP deal with.

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However, the precise technical development of the primary Cinnamon version is clearly the entry into Wayland assist. In typical Mint trend, the choice seems cautiously on the login display as “Cinnamon on Wayland (Experimental)”.

Nevertheless, the Wayland session seems largely secure, however nonetheless suffers from the standard small deficits (screenshots, clipboard actions, X11 forwarding, terminal instruments similar to xrandr, xprop).

For Linux Mint, it’s primarily about making ready Cinnamon for Wayland and proving this to its extra progressive customers. Unlike Ubuntu, Gnome or KDE, Linux Mint will not be a driver of the extra fashionable Wayland protocol: According to Lefèbvre, X11/Xorg will stay the usual underneath Mint within the full 22 model (i.e. till 2026).

Upgrades from 21.2 to model 21.3

The improve from the earlier model “Victoria” is elective contemplating the slight characteristic enhancements, however we suggest the motion for one easy motive: Linux Mint upgrades can’t skip intermediate steps. Without model 21.3, you won’t be able to improve to model 22 in the summertime. As a rule, desktop customers are finest served by upgrading to all minor variations. You can replace a operating Mint 21.2 pc to model 21.3 “Virginia” with little effort.

When you begin the replace supervisor, a message will say that there’s a “new version of the update manager” – i.e. the software you’re at the moment utilizing. You can set up this model by clicking on the “Apply the update” button. The software restarts routinely after the obtain to load the brand new model of the software program.

Then begin the improve with “Edit – Update system to “Linux Mint 21.3 Virginia”. The course of ought to solely take a couple of minutes as a result of the distinction in packages between the unique model and the primary level launch aren’t in depth.

The new set up

For new installations, Linux Mint 21.3 could be obtained as normal via the project page, which then hyperlinks to the precise mirror servers (“Download mirrors”). The collection of the obtain server is irrelevant for the next language localisation.

Linux Mint nonetheless presents three completely different editions with the Cinnamon, Mate and XFCE desktops, with the Cinnamon version being the clear favourite and the XFCE model presumably your best option for older computer systems.

During setup, all three editions use the acquainted and unchanged Ubuntu installer Ubiquity. The choice to encrypt the house folder when creating the primary person can be nonetheless accessible (“Encrypt my personal folder”).

This article was translated from German to English and initially appeared on pcwelt.de.