Linux Mint 17.2 Rafaela - Tight as a tiger

Discussion in 'all things UNIX' started by Mrkvonic, Aug 21, 2015.

  1. Mrkvonic

    Mrkvonic Linux Systems Expert

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    I have no witty puns this time. Only a long, detailed and enthusiastic review of Linux Mint 17.2 Rafaela 64-bit edition with Cinnamon desktop, covering live session, installation in a seven-boot setup with Windows 8/10 and Linux on a laptop with UEFI, Secure Boot and GPT, and post-install use, including look & feel, visual improvements, networking - Wireless, Samba printing and sharing, multimedia - Flash, MP3, HD video, partitioning & slideshow, software management & updates, applications, hardware compatibility, smartphone supprort - Android, Windows Phone, Ubuntu Phone, and iPhone, resource usage, responsiveness, stability, suspend & resume, customization, and more. Enjoy.

    http://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/linux-mint-rafaela.html


    Cheers,
    Mrk
     
  2. Infected

    Infected Registered Member

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    I like it also. Just trying to find out how to install my N300 wifi adapter. But overall, it's not bad to work with.
     
  3. The Red Moon

    The Red Moon Registered Member

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    This is the linux distro which i use and i think it is absolutely superb.Never looked back at windows after using mint.
     
  4. Holysmoke

    Holysmoke Registered Member

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    lifelong windows user, d/l Mint 17.2 today, read the faq, was intimidated by it all. still debating whether to take the plunge. sick of MS spying on me.
     
  5. Kerodo

    Kerodo Registered Member

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    You really can't go wrong with Mint. It was 99% of everything you need out of the box, including flash and codecs for music and video and so on, so it's pretty much install and go. Any problems or issues you have can usually be solved by checking their forums, where odds are good someone has already posted about your issue and has a solution. I've been using Linux off and on for over 10 years, and Mint is one of the best and easiest to transition to from Windows. You can also just have a look at the live DVD, and also you could dual boot Win and Mint if you choose...
     
  6. russ0408

    russ0408 Registered Member

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    I was just wondering, has anybody in here dropped Windows totally and went to Linux. I'm fighting a battle with myself. I have Linux Mint 17.2 Rafaela on a live dvd and have used it and really like it. On one hand I like Windows but I'm really tired of the privacy issues, the bugs, and and all the security issues. Issues such as some antivirus not compatible, which to me shouldn't be, they had months to work on a compatible antivirus while Windows 10 was in preview. Now I know some of you are going to say use both, but I know things are never going to change with Windows. They have always been buggy with security issues. So maybe I just answered my own questions. Let me know what you think.
     
  7. Joxx

    Joxx Registered Member

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    This Win 10 privacy issues (and now even Win 7 with new telemetry services) are simply unacceptable. And this fits a pattern where Google, Facebook, cloud services, ISPs... all come together to one specific end: to profile you more accurately than any psychiatrist (or your mother) ever could.
    I've decided: I'm jumping to Linux in the near future. I'll keep a Windows gaming only machine but even that will (hopefully) be temporary.
     
  8. Minimalist

    Minimalist Registered Member

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    Moving to Linux is something I'm considering also since Windows 10 got released. Their OS is going IMO in wrong direction (lack of privacy, preventing users to configure OS as they wish...) and I was hoping tha this would never happen to their desktop version of OS.
    Right now I'm using Elementary OS in Virtualbox. I'm planning on trying out Mint and Ubuntu also. I will have to find replacements for some of the software that I'm using and will have to learn how to manage OS also.
    After that - if there will be no significant change in Win 10 - I will probably move to Linux.
     
  9. wshrugged

    wshrugged Registered Member

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    After trying some live cds and some distros (distributions) in VirtualBox, I've settled in with Mint Mate. From what I've read, Ubuntu and Mint are easy transitions from Windows. My newbie experience agrees. So far, it's been a very easy transition for me. I'm not yet sure that I can completely eliminate Windows but I know I'll be able to at least use it rarely and in a controlled way.

    With some seriousness, I started looking into Linux at the beginning of this year. Got pulled away for higher priorities then came back to researching it recently. The foreign terminologies and diversity available in Linux can confuse in a hurry. That fog of confusion is starting to lift for me; there's far less huhs? and what the hells?. Just keep reading, @Holysmoke and everyone else who wants to give it a go.

    The OP, @Mrkvonic (thank you, sir), has a great website. He's knowledgeable and writes extremely well in a conversational way. There's tons on his site. Most everything you'll need is there and if it isn't, he'll at least prime your pump. His -- The ultimate guide to Linux for Windows users -- has been the top resource for me from my Journey's start. There's a bunch of links within the guide but don't let them distract you. Just read through it several times to learn some of the new jargon then branch from there. Take your time. No worries, it'll start sinking in slow but sure.

    This is a security forum so here's @Mrkvonic's take on anti-virus in Linux -- Do I need an anti-virus in Linux?

    There's plenty of other resources out there; you'll find them. Good luck.
     
    Last edited: Aug 22, 2015
  10. Kerodo

    Kerodo Registered Member

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    I have made motions in that direction (dropping Win for Linux completely), but I keep messing around with 10 off and on trying to check it out more thoroughly. But I do have about 9 images of both Win OS's and Linux distros, and I could easily move to Debian or Mint for example and never look back. What usually gets me looking back once in a while is that I do get better HD video out of Win than Linux, but Linux is good enough that I would stick with it easily. I'd say boredom usually gets me bouncing back and forth still, not quite taking that final step.
     
  11. Holysmoke

    Holysmoke Registered Member

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    my main concern is drivers for Dell Optiplex, Dell certainly doesn't offer them
     
  12. EASTER

    EASTER Registered Member

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    Nice assessment.

    Linux Mint 17.2 "Rafaela" - Cinnamon (64-bit)
     
  13. russ0408

    russ0408 Registered Member

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    Well last night I got a sign from above. After I wrote the post I laid down for a snooze. When I woke up I went to go on my computer and lone and behold I started getting the BSOD. Figuring maybe it would disappear after a reboot, no dice. It would go through reboot sequence then when the desktop was to appear it would be back to the BSOD. So that was it I took out my 17.2 Mint Rafaela disk and in it went in the tray. So it's Linux for me. Linux loaded smooth as silk. It was pretty well ready to go right out of the box. It took half the time to set up the desktop as it did Windows, and everything runs so smooth. Even Firefox is 64 bit in Linux. Maybe if more people switch to Linux, Windows would change their out look on how they are handling Windows 10. Not giving anybody control of updates, spying on you. They think because they are giving Windows 10 they say for "free," they can do what ever they want to the public, they can control how everything is controlled regarding Windows 10. Nothing is free, Windows 10 is just like a free antivirus, watching everything you do. They are making money off you selling all the sites you visit, what apps you are running to companies like Ebay. I think I will be happier in Linux the simplicity, everything is updated at once, no spying. If I can do it you can. Give it a shot, I think you will be surprised how close Ubuntu or Linux Mint is close to Windows.
     
  14. zakazak

    zakazak Registered Member

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    Another article talking about smth while ignoring half the truth. Yes you need an antivirus on linux, no there aren't any anti-virus solutions on linux that come close to the once on windows.
    Yes there is malware on linux. And while it is not as much as on windows, the linux malwares are often way longer undedectable and can hide easier. Yes you can get infected with "safe browsing".

     
  15. Mrkvonic

    Mrkvonic Linux Systems Expert

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    You do not need anti-virus on any platform.
    On topic, examples instead of random words and name dropping.
    Show me one case of a browser exploit for Linux please.
    Mrk
     
  16. zakazak

    zakazak Registered Member

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    Pretty much every java or flash drive by that has been reported in the last months/years works on browsers on windows, linux, os x.

    Allowing to download an run files hidden in the backround. E.g. one of the linux-malware.exe files out there :)
     
  17. Infected

    Infected Registered Member

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    But he's asking for proof? This is just hearsay. I'm not saying it's not true, but show links pls.
     
  18. zakazak

    zakazak Registered Member

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    First hit on google:
    http://krebsonsecurity.com/tag/exploit-kit/

    And there is so much more about it on google :p

    Or do you want me to post screens of sellers selling access to exploit kits or selling the exploits?
     
  19. Infected

    Infected Registered Member

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    Yes, this shows Adobe Flash exploited, but does it show Linux infected? This is just saying it's "possible", not that it's happen. Or am I reading it wrong?
     
  20. zakazak

    zakazak Registered Member

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    Ofcourse it says only " it is possible" to infect on linux, and it does. But how should they keep track how many have been infected? Only the once who are using the exploit could make a statistic of how many have been infected. But those are mosstly split up in countries and not OS.
     
  21. Mrkvonic

    Mrkvonic Linux Systems Expert

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    No, no, no. Don't give me that sensational media hype. Give me an actual EXAMPLE.
    I want you to show me a video of you visiting a site in say Firefox on Linux.
    And then, there's an infection in your distro. Show me that.
    Until you do, discussion closed.

    Mrk
     
  22. zakazak

    zakazak Registered Member

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    I wonder when linux fanboys will finally accept the truth.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94QsgdXnsmU

    Discussion opened, excuses closed :D

    @Edit: no, this is not me in the video, this is simply the first hit that google gave me.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 23, 2015
  23. wat0114

    wat0114 Registered Member

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    As Mrk asked, can you point out in that video where he's hit with an actual virus?
     
  24. boredog

    boredog Registered Member

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  25. zakazak

    zakazak Registered Member

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    Watch the video again.
    Anyway, history shows that linux can be exploited, just like windows. The java drive by is a good example. Once that drive by hits you, it will be able to download and run any malware. E.g. one of that list:

    http://deslide.clusterfake.net/?o=html_table&u=http://www.networkworld.com/article/2858742/linux/a-brief-history-of-linux-malware.html

    This is not different from Windows. How ever, what is differenf: Windows has security products that can dedect such exploits and malware faster and easier.
    If flash or java wouldnt update an exploit (which can take a few days) then linux is an open book for those exploits.

    Security products on windows would update within hours or atleast just block an exploit/malware based on its behaviour (bb,hips).
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 23, 2015
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