Linux Mint 21.2.2 Update Now available for download, the new version, courtesy of Ubuntu, the most popular and classic Linux distribution for PCs…in other words, in Windows style. While we’re at it, this version is a great alternative for those still using Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, whose support is faltering to varying degrees.
Linux Mint 21.1 code named ‘Vera’ is, after the original release of Linux Mint 21 last summer, the second update to the new version of the distribution based on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, with which it shares many new features. , including the Linux 5.15 kernel, Mesa 22 Graphics Stack, PulseAudio 16 audio server, and PipeWire, among other components.
But not everything is the same between Linux Mint and Ubuntu. Some things change, from the desktop environments offered by both, for example, the software distribution model, which in the case of Linux Mint dispenses with Canonical’s Snap Store and its standalone applications, which was imposed on Ubuntu due to the disgust of many users for the system itself and for disastrous performance for the store itself.
Thus, Linux Mint users don’t have to swallow yes or yes with Firefox packaged as a snap with no desktop integration, or with poor implementation in program management. And that doesn’t mean they can’t use Snap if they want to: Flatpak support is included by default, but Snap can be added manually.
In addition to these details, Linux Mint 21.1 arrives as always with its three releases, each headed by its own desktop environment: Cinnamon, MATE and Xfce. Specifically, MATE 1.26 and Xfce 4.16 updated well (there was no time to add Xfce 4.18). In the case of the main release, it is Cinnamon 5.6 its only reference is the current version, as no release notes are posted.
A more visible novelty in the new version of Cinnamon that accompanies Linux Mint 21.1 is the renewal of its appearance, including a new default visual theme that, yes, hardly changes the usual appearance of the desktop, except for one important detail: replaces blue The traditional green as an accent color and folders are now yellow. Also, the top corners of the windows are rounded, in accordance with the current orientation.
The desktop presentation receives further modifications that, in the same way, extend the three alternatives as far as possible. The most striking thing at first glance is sticking to a simple, if you can say so, getting rid of shortcuts that can be accessed by other means, such as those in your user folder or the trash. Generally, The desktop looks cleaner in Linux Mint 21.1 without losing his job.
Regarding the change of colors, you don’t have to worry because whenever you want you can go back to the usual green color or choose any other color. There are themes for all tastes. We don’t need green to be Linux Mint. We’re Linux Mint no matter what and want to use the most eye-catching color Out of the box says Clement Lefebvre, project leader.
It also changes the cursor theme and sound theme, which adopts Android’s Material Design V2 design. Finally, there’s an option to go back to old themes, for both icons and apps; But if you’re just looking for a different icon theme, Breeze (KDE Plasma), Papirus, Numix, and Yaru (Ubuntu) are included by default. And there is more, albeit less profound. In short, personalization of power.
Aside from the visual innovations, which are very impressive in relation to the rest of Linux Mint, other important changes for this version include tools such as the driver manager, which can now work offline and in user mode and does not need to be entered. administrator password to be implemented, among other improvements; Full integration of Flatpak is complete which now has support for updating apps in the update manager.
Moving on to popular applications, Linux Mint 21.1 improves the USB installation imaging utility with an easy verification system and support for Windows images. The same goes for XApps, albeit to a lesser extent. The Software Source Manager, for its part, is being revamped, and now when adding a PPA repository its key is only accepted for this source, not globally for all APT sources.
As you can see, Linux Mint 21.1 brings some new features to its credit, although many of them focus on the visual section, which is unusual. Anyway, this is not the only thing. For more information, the official announcements for each release, which include detailed release notes and links to access the downloads: