Today seems to be the day of Linux Mint on Ubunlog. While my colleague Pablinux he proposes it as ideal for old equipment, I try to explain why replace Windows 10 with Linux Mint.
Specifically I am referring to the XFCE edition that Because it has an interface very similar to that of Windows, it has a much lower learning curve than other distributions.
Why replace Windows 10 with Linux Mint XFCE
In the article I quote above I explained what a Linux distribution is. I am not going to repeat it here and will limit myself to saying that it is a complete operating system. Linux Mint is designed to be used as soon as it is installed. In fact, it can also be used without installing from the installation media through a mode known as Live in which the RAM memory plays the role of the hard drive.
Linux Mint has different versions, and this article is dedicated specifically to the one that comes with the XFCE desktop environment.
The XFCE Desktop Environment
The desktop environment is basically responsible for facilitating the interaction between the user and the computer. It is what allows us, instead of having to type commands, to use the mouse and access applications and files through icons and menus.
XFCE is designed for those who want a desk that consumes few resources without sacrificing comfort and aesthetics.
Its component parts are:
- Window manager: As in Windows, applications are displayed in windows. The window manager takes care of placing them on the screen, changing their size, decorating them and arranging them on different virtual desktops.
- Desktop manager: It is responsible for displaying the desktop background, application access and the list of windows. In addition, it gives access to the main menu.
- Panel: It allows you to switch between open windows, launch applications, access submenus and switch virtual desktops.
- Session manager: It is responsible for switching between different users, managing power, and shutting down or restarting the system.
- Main menu: Allows you to access applications by searching by category or name.
- File manager: Allows access and modification of files and folders.
- Configuration Manager: Allows you to change the behavior and appearance of the desktop.
Linux Mint XFCE
As I said above, Linux Mint XFCE is an operating system designed for the end user who wants to have their computer running without complications. For this it includes a series of applications aimed at the end user. Several of them are from the XFCE project or from the most popular ones available for Linux, while others are self-developed.
The main menu allows us to access them by choosing any of the following features:
- Favorite apps: Quick access to the applications that users usually use.
- Recent Applications: Quick access to recently used ones.
- Accessories: A set of applications to perform tasks such as taking quick notes, searching and renaming files, and sending and receiving files between devices connected to the same network.
- Configuration: In this menu you will find applications that allow you to control various aspects of the system such as appearance, firewall, night mode, software sources and backups.
- Graphics: Here we have the applications for working with images, the installation includes a drawing program, an image viewer and a scanner manager.
- Website: Programs with web access are grouped here. Included is a browser, email client, and torrent file downloader.
- Multimedia: Here we find the video player, the music collection manager and the playback settings.
- Office: Linux Mint comes with the LibreOffice Office suite that supports LibreOffice file formats.
- System: From here we control the download and installation of programs and updates, add and remove users and change passwords.
Linux MInt includes in its repositories a large selection of programs, to which are added those available in the Snap, Flatpak and Appimage stores.
you can download it from here