New Version of Linux Mint 20.3 beta is out for download.

Linux Mint Cinnamon beta ^ | 12/16/2021 | Linux Mint Community

[Varmint Al]

Linux Mint 20.3 BETA "Una"

The .iso is available here: https://linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=292

I loaded the Cinnamon Edition on a 120 Gb SSD and it took about 10 minutes to install.
I used Aptik to make an image of my base computer. Then used the Aptik to install all of my base computer's extra software.
I tested it and could not find a single problem. With all of my extra software, it just works.
The size with all of the extra software is about 19Gb.

Good Hunting... from Varmint Al

[Pollard]

Oh I figured a script could be made but I’m not a coder at all.

[major_gaff]

still running Linux Mint 19 Cinnamon on a retired HP Z400 server box...luv it.

[Pollard]

So much for FOSS

[Openurmind]

Is that the default Icon package? Or is that your custom option? I am going to tease here a bit Linux friend... But those are too loud for me, reminds me of a carnival. :)

But that is the cool thing about Linux and Cinnamon. There are tons of themes and graphics packages to mix and match how you like to customize it. WITHOUT 3rd party apps needed to do it. You can even make your own Icons if you like if you are techy. :)

Thank you for posting this! I downloaded it a couple weeks ago and about ready to give it a test run.

[Pollard]

$23.18 currently

[Openurmind]

The newer Mint Cinnamon is highly customizable...

[Openurmind]

“it doesn’t have the same look as windows or the mac”.

That is the cool thing about Mint, it comes out of the box “feeling” like Win 7. All the bars and tools are in the same places as a Win 7 tool tray. If want the Mac feel then just right click the bottom tool bar and relocate it to the top. Or vertical up along either side if you like. If you want a full Mac theme package and you have Cinnamon you can just install it through the included theme manager...

https://cinnamon-spices.linuxmint.com/themes/view/iOS-X

Or if you absolutely like Win 10 and want to be reminded of this MS fail...

https://cinnamon-spices.linuxmint.com/themes/view/Windows-10

I like the darker sophisticated look of themes like Metallic Cyan...

https://cinnamon-spices.linuxmint.com/themes/view/Metallic_Cyan

But all these Themes, applets, desklets and extensions in the link below can be browsed and installed from inside the boxed default Cinnamon settings manager.

https://cinnamon-spices.linuxmint.com/ Themes, applets, desklets and extensions.

[Varmint Al]

I use Aptik to install all of my extra software and settings on a new install. Aptik clones my complete system, including software, documents, downloads, pictures, and all settings. I was happy to pay $23. It saves me hours of writing down and installing each software package and then the settings for each. With the Aptik image file, all I have to do in the new install is use the terminal to navigate to the image file on an external drive and run the install binary. It does the install and the new install includes Aptik itself. I have quite a complicated number of settings that do just exactly what I want. Without Aptik, that would take a lot of time.

Good Hunting... from Varmint Al

[zeugma]

Is this going to be an LTS release?

[zeugma]

# That is KDE. Sadly, I had to drop Mint when they dropped KDE. Using Kubuntu now, but it still isn’t the same as Mint was.

Same here. Dropping KDE was a big mistake. Also wish they’d not gone along with the abortion that is systemd

[ShadowAce]

Dropping KDE was a big mistake.

OK--I'm confused here. Are you saying that Mint (I've never used it) cannot install other desktop environments?

[Varmint Al]

Here is what my desktop looks like using Linux Mint Cinnamon 20.2. It looks very similar to Windows XP, the last Windows I used. I also have a Ham Radio folder, the red folder. I use chirp and it runs in flatpak and works very well for programming 2m rigs. I have an IC-7300 for 160 - 6m but really do not need to program it with chirp. The window at the right only shows the free software packages by category. Just about anything you want to do is covered. Just do a search in the spy glass window. I have my web site on its own folder and do all my editing locally with SeaMonkey. Then upload the new files to my hosting site at Globat.com. My full system plus personal files, on my Base computer uses about 196Gb out of a 500Gb nvme ssd.

Good Hunting... from Varmint Al

[Bob434]

I’m not quite understanding aptik- is it a backup program like timeshift? Could timeshift be used to restore setting to a new upgrade Linux system (like going from say 19 to 20?) Is Ltik only for reinstalling the same os version? Or can it reinstall all your settings onto a new upgraded version of the same or?

[Bob434]

I’ve got a few programs like mouse gesture that have a lot of custom best-dressed that have to be put in each time I I stall Linux, plus email with all its settings, etc, woild be nice if I could,just run a program after a fresh I still of an upgrade like mint 20, and not have to,deal with ALL the time consuming settings

[Bobalu]

I also have an IC-7300, it is the iconic radio that really started the Ham SDR ball rolling...

My little QRP rig also runs Linux, the Xiegu 5105, I am going to get the newest Xiegu X6100 as soon as the bugs are worked out of it.

Here’s the guy who first managed to get root on the 6100.
https://www.youtube.com/c/temporarilyoffline/videos

[Linux Rules]

Here ya go.

https://www.how2shout.com/linux/how-to-install-kde-plasma-gui-on-linux-mint-20-1-desktop/

[Varmint Al]

Aptik is not a backup program like CloneZilla. Its purpose is to be able to completely duplicate your complete Linux system over to a new fresh install. I think it only works with Ubuntu based Linux, but I might be wrong. It could be Linux Lite, or Linux Mint Xfce or any other Ubuntu based distro. With the system you want to port over, you make a Aptik backup on an external drive. Then only on a fresh install, you do a restore from the external drive. Aptik install all of the software, settings and personal files on the new fresh install. When finished the new system looks just like the original. It includes everything. For example Thunderbird is complete with all the emails and address book. One can do a CloneZilla backup and restore, but it brings over all the junk that you do not use and will only do the install on a HD that the same size or larger. Aptik will install the system on a smaller HD if there is sufficient room. The interesting part is that when you use the terminal to access the Aptik image file, it also installs the Aptik program itself. I have a number of extra SSD's and like to try new things. I can duplicate my system this way on a new SSD and experiment without worrying if I am going to crash my Base computer.

Good Hunting... from Varmint Al

[Bob434]

Thanks for the explanation- I’ll check it out- i gotta do soemthing- it’s such a pain redoing all the settings- I wanna upgrade from 20 to the new version but dont’ want to face all the settings changes-

[Varmint Al]

When my IC-7300 was in shipping, I watched all of the excellent videos by WA2IVD. There are 44 of them and they really helped out. Out of the box, I had a very good idea of what it would do and how to set it up the way I wanted. Great radio. The old Kenwood TS-570D is just gathering dust. I have a 160, 80,40 meter dipole and with the water around Bethel Island, the antenna works very well. I will be calling roll on Western Public Service System tonight at 7:30pm Pacific time tonight. Link: 3592khz.net

Good Hunting... from Varmint Al

[Varmint Al]

I forgot to add my call sign. This is Al on Bethel Island, WB6YNM 73

Good Hunting... from Varmint Al