Recent Developments with Linux Mint
The popular Linux Mint distro, known for its adherence to long-term support Ubuntu base, has released a new update—version 21.3. This update brings its system base in line with Ubuntu 22.04.3 (being the third update of Ubuntu 22.04 LTS)
Unlike Ubuntu, which automatically installs updates as part of its management system, Linux Mint chooses a more conservative approach. Users have to actively request for version upgrades, otherwise they stay with the previous minor version.
Kernel Updates
The Linux Mint system also treads carefully regarding kernel updates. It does not immediately follow Ubuntu’s leap (22.04.3) to Linux kernel 6.2, but rather sticks with version 21.3 of kernel 5.15 that comes with long-term support. Users can change this at any time in their update management under the “View – Kernel” section, but only through proactive measures.
Progress and Support in Linux Mint
Linux Mint is typically conservative but maintains a steady pace of progress. It’s been confirmed that the Wayland window protocol would at some point replace X11/Xorg – a transition that is already underway. The main Cinnamon edition now offers optional Wayland operation as part of this transition.
Similar to Ubuntu LTS, Linux Mint provides updates for a duration of five years. With the release of version 21.3, this translates to support until April 2027. This support period applies to all three Mint editions. It’s important to also note that there are two other variations of Linux Mint. The editions with Mate and XFCE have seen no significant changes to their desktop infrastructure, as Mate remains at version 1.26 and XFCE at version 4.18. However, a few minimal changes in accessories (Warpinator, Hypnotix) are noticeable.
Changes in Linux Mint 21.3
The most noteworthy change in the new version is the addition of the ‘Actions’ item in the ‘System settings’ of the modular Cinnamon Spices, joining the existing categories including ‘Applets’, ‘Desklets’, ‘Extensions’ and ‘Themes’. These ‘Actions’ are small add-ons for the Nemo file manager, bringing several mild tweaks.
Another notable addition in application package sourcing is the ‘Romeo’ repository. Here users can activate and download up-to-date, albeit potentially unstable, software packages at their risk.
A test portion of the ‘System settings – Screen’ displays four scaling options for the screen – ‘75%’, ‘100%’, ‘125%’, and ‘150%’, which are accessible if the feature is enabled.
There are a few other incremental changes such as improvements to accessories like ‘Hypnotix’ and ‘Warpinator’, and an entry into Wayland support, but these are less significant changes.
Upgrading to Version 21.3
Users of the previous version, ‘Victoria’, might find the upgrade to version 21.3 optional due to minor improvements. However, updating is advisable as Linux Mint upgrades cannot skip increments. Without updating to version 21.3, users may not be able to upgrade to version 22 due in the summer. Consequently, desktop users should upgrade all minor versions for maximum compatibility.
Fresh Installation
For new installations, enthusiasts can download Linux Mint 21.3 from the project page. Linux Mint continues to offer three editions with the Cinnamon, Mate, and XFCE desktops. For older systems, the XFCE version is the most suitable. All three editions use the standard Ubuntu installer during setup.
