Posted on 07/03/2018 4:36:33 AM PDT by ShadowAce
Linux Mint is one of the best Linux distributions for new users. It runs pretty well out of the box. Still, there are a few recommended things to do after installing Linux Mint for the first time.
In this article, I am going to share some basic yet effective tips that will make your Linux Mint experience even better. If you follow these best practices, you’ll have a more user-friendly system.
I am using Linux Mint 19 Cinnamon edition while writing this article so some of the points in this list are specific to Mint Cinnamon. But this doesn’t mean you can follow these suggestions on Xfce or MATE editions.
Another disclaimer is that this is just some recommendations from my point of view. Based on your interests and requirement, you would perhaps do a lot more than what I suggest here.
That said, let’s see the top things to do after installing Linux Mint 19.
This is the first and foremost thing to do after a fresh install of Linux Mint or any Linux distribution. This ensures that your system has all the latest software and security updates. You can update Linux Mint by going to Menu->Update Manager.
You can also use a simple command to update your system:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -yLinux Mint 19 recommends creating system snapshots using Timeshift application. It is integrated with update manager. This tool will create system snapshots so if you want to restore your Mint to a previous state, you could easily do that. This will help you in the unfortunate event of a broken system.
It’s FOSS has a detailed article on using Timeshift. I recommend reading it to learn about Timeshift in detail.
Want to play MP3, watch videos in MP$ and other formats or play DVD? You need to install the codecs. Linux Mint provides an easy way to install these codecs in a package called Mint Codecs.
You can install it from the Welcome Screen or from the Software Manager.
You can also use this command to install the media codecs in Linux Mint:
sudo apt install mint-meta-codecsOnce you have set up your system, it’s time to install some useful software for your daily usage. Linux Mint itself comes with a number of applications pre-installed and hundreds or perhaps thousands of applications are available in the Software Manager. You just have to search for it.
In fact, I would recommend relying on Software Manager for your application needs.
If you want to know what software you should install, I’ll recommend some useful Linux applications:
For your information, not all of these recommended applications are open source.
Snap is a universal packaging format from Ubuntu. You can easily install a number of applications via Snap packages. Though Linux Mint is based on Ubuntu, it doesn’t provide Snap support by default. Mint uses Flatpak instead, another universal packaging format from Fedora.
While Flatpak is integrated into the Software Manager, you cannot use Snaps in the same manner. You must use Snap commands here. If you are comfortable with command line, you will find that it is easy to use. With Snap, you can install some additional software that are not available in the Software Manager or in DEB format.
To enable Snap support, use the command below:
sudo apt install snapdYou can refer to this article to know how to use snap commands.
Linux Mint 19 doesn’t have a KDE flavor. If you are fond of using KDE desktop, you can install KDE in Linux Mint 19 and use it. If you don’t know what KDE is or have never used it, just ignore this part.
Before you install KDE, I recommend that you have configured Timeshift and taken system snapshots. Once you have it in place, use the command below to install KDE and some recommended KDE components.
sudo apt install kubuntu-desktop konsole kscreenAfter the installation, log out and switch the desktop environment from the login screen.
Linux Mint 19 itself has a nice look and feel but this doesn’t mean you cannot change it. If you go to System Settings, you’ll find the option to change the icons and themes there. There are a few themes already available in this setting section that you can download and activate.
If you are looking for more eye candy, check out the best icon themes for Ubuntu and install them in Mint here.
Night Light is becoming a mandatory feature in operating systems and smartphones. This feature filters blue light at night and thus reduces the strain on your eyes.
Unfortunately, Linux Mint Cinnamon doesn’t have built-in Night Light feature like GNOME. Therefore, Mint provides this feature using Redshift application.
Redshift is installed by default in Mint 19 so all you have do is to start this application and set it for autostart. Now, this app will automatically switch to yellow light after sunset.
There is no end to tweaking your system so I am not going to list out all the things you can do in Linux Mint. I’ll leave that up to you to explore. I’ll just mention a couple of tweaks I did.
I am used to of keeping a track on the battery life. Mint doesn’t show battery percentage by default. But you can easily change this behavior.
Right click on the battery icon in the bottom panel and select Configure.
And in here, select Show percentage option.
I also liked that Mint allows setting the maximum volume between 0 and 150. You may use this tiny feature as well.
Keeping your system free of junk is important. I have discussed cleaning up Linux Mint in detail so I am not going to repeat it here.
If you want a quick way to clean your system, I recommend using this one single command from time to time:
sudo apt autoremoveThis will help you get rid of unnecessary packages from your system.
Usually, when you are at home network, you are behind your router’s firewall already. But when you connect to a public WiFi, you can have an additional security layer with a firewall.
Now, setting up a firewall is a complicated business and hence Linux Mint comes pre-installed with Ufw (Uncomplicated Firewall). Just search for Firewall in the menu and enable it at least for the Public mode.
So far I have noticed a few issues in Mint 19. I’ll update this section as I find more bugs.
major bug in the Software Manager. If you try to install a Flatpak application, you’ll encounter an error:
“An error occurred. Could not locate ‘runtime/org.freedesktop.Sdk/x86_64/1.6’ in any registered remotes”
There is nothing wrong with Flatpak but the Software Manager has a bug that results in this error. This bug has been fixed and should be included in future updates. While that happens, you’ll have to use Flatpak commands in terminal to install these Flatpak applications.
I advise going to Flathub website and search for the application you were trying to install. If you click on the install button on this website, it downloads a .flatpakref file. Now all you need to do is to start a terminal, go to Downloads directory and use the command in the following fashion:
flatpak install <name_of_flatpakref_file>Another bug is with Shutter screenshot tool. You’ll find that the edit button has been disabled. It was the same case in Ubuntu 18.04. I have already written a tutorial for Shutter edit issue. You can use the same steps for Mint 19.
This is my recommendation of things to do after installing Linux Mint 19. I’ll update this article as I explore Mint 19 and find interesting things to add to this list. Meanwhile, why don’t you share what you did after installing Linux Mint?
I do not use Mint personally, but there are enough FReepers here that do use it, that I thought I'd post this how-to article about it.
I’m still waiting on the 18.3 to 19 install through the Update Manager. I’m not geek enough to do the install on top of 18.3 from the iso file.
I have mint on a laptop that I use some.
Bookmark for later.
(I owe, I owe, so off to work I go...)
Greatly appreciated, thank you ;^)
(WIll have to install KDE as soon as I finish with 18.3)
I’m running Mint 18.3 on my laptop (as I write this) and on my home desktop system. I’ve always used the KDE versions of Mint... When it says “no KDE version of 19.0...” does that mean no KDE spin of it *yet* or that they are no-longer going to provide a KDE version of the distro? :-(
Cool! Of all the Linux distros I like Mint/Cinnamon best.
I used Ubuntu until my son (an pro IT) turned me on to Mint. I love the Cinnamon desktop look and feel. It’s the most Windows like in terms of experience — the start screen and dock are positioned out of the box in familiar locals. So, it was an easy transition.
But best of all it is a Unix variant supporting all the software development tools I want: C++ (and GNU tool chain), Python, Go, Emacs, Git, Bash, et al.
I checked last week and 19 had not yet been released. But I see it was released on the 29th (last Friday). Installing it now...
Mint is pulling their support of KDE.. so.. if you still want to use KDE, then you will have to manually install KDE after the initial install (18.3 is that last version of Mint KDE, but it will still be supported until 2021).
I flirted with Linux about 9 years ago. The problem is that all of my software is designed for Windows, and I pay for the windows office suite. I don’t want to fool around with it. My computer has become a commodity, like a car. I don’t soup up my car, either. No racing stripes, no toilet paper oil filters, etc.
When I used to build my own computers, I’d have been all over Linux, but most people don’t want to fool around with their computer any more than they want to fool around with their car, their dishwasher, or their lawn mower. They buy it, they use it, and they replace it when it breaks. Linux is for hobbyists, which is a dwindling breed as the newness of the tech wears off. A computer is a tool. I buy the tool for the job.
My understanding is that they will no longer have a KDE spin of Mint. If I am wrong, someone will correct me.
I'm tired of messing and fiddling with Windows, and being subject to their idea of when I should upgrade or not.
Anyone do an Ubuntu 16.04 to Mint 19 migration? Any tips?
But you had to install it. And you had to make sure all of your software works with it.
I compare it to a car. I expect to buy it, turn the key, change the oil, replace the tires, rinse and repeat for a few hundred thousand miles.
Getting ready to upgrade a machine from 18.3 to 19. Can use some of these tips.
“Linux is for hobbyists, “
Ummmm, no. I do books, media, databases, spreadsheets, real estate software, cad, documentaries, and more. No hobbyist here. And it saves me a buttload of money.
My take has always been that if you use Linux you are, by definition, a hobbyist. I say that as someone that used to build my own computers and even tried Linux and also used OS/2 and OS/2 Warp.
I also used to have a beta vcr.
I’ve dumped all that and now just go with the flow. Oddly, I’ve really learned to love windows 10, even though I’m no fan of the company.
And yes, I tried Wine. Not impressed.
Thanks. Bkmk.
I just built (from scratch) 12 Linux servers since I posted this thread. They are fully built and configured, joined to the domain, and jsut about ready for the customer to start using them.
I don't build hobbyist computers. I'm in the datacenter where the real power is.
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