The Linux Mint team have another monthly update blog post out, to talk about the state of Linux Mint and it sounds like things are going well. They also announced the small-form-factor MintBox 3 and something about Snaps.
Teaming up with Compulab once again who did the previous MintBox, it's based on their current Airtop3 and will come with Linux Mint installed with their branding. The specifications, while not final, are below:
- 1. Basic configuration: $1543 with a Core i5 (6 cores), 16 GB RAM, 256 GB EVO 970, Wi-Fi and FM-AT3 FACE Module.
- 2. High end: $2698 with Core i9, GTX 1660 Ti, 32 GB RAM, 1TB EVO 970, WiFi and FM-AT3 FACE Module.
While a bit on the pricey side, I do have to admit it's a pretty tidy looking unit! I wouldn't mind something like this to replace the ridiculously large PC case I have sitting under my TV:
Additionally, Mint's Clement Lefebvre who wrote the blog post had some interesting words to say about the Snap package format and how it's currently being handled. Touching on topics like being locked into a single store, Ubuntu possibly replacing the Chromium repository package with one that installs the Chromium snap and things like that. However, Lefebvre did say they've been invited to participate by the Snap developers, so hopefully they can all agree on something.
As for the whole 32bit debacle recently with Ubuntu, they said if it becomes an issue they will solve that too. It's good to know they're making plenty of plans no matter what happens, as desktop-focused distribution the Mint team seem to be doing a fair amount of good work.
They also continue to pull in an impressive amount in donations, with June getting $11,825 which is on top of their various Sponsors which was around $7,700. Seems like quite a healthy amount.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
orochi_kyo Jul 2, 2019
Quoting: fagnerlnThey should switch the primary mint to Debian, LMDE is in good shape and off the canonical craziness.
I've used Mint for some time, switched to LMDE pretty early in the process, and never looked back at the ubuntu edition, which didn't work so well for me anyway.
Snap is a good idea on the surface, but it doesn't work that well. It might be useful for distributing some exotic apps that need specific dependencies (games come to mind...) but in everyday usage it's just too messy and feels bloated.
They certainly tried to spin it like that was always the case in that updated "clarification", but it's plain for the world to see -- and read given five to ten minutes -- that there was no miscommunication.
The Snap issue in the article made me think. I didn't actually know Snap was that vendor locked. Was an intersting read, and I agree with the authors positions.
The problem is they don't. They take too long to launch, particularly on cold starts, and they don't integrate with themes. They simply feel as "not belonging". Flatpaks are marginally better.
I don't think Repositories are an insurmountable problem. Take MX-linux, their base is Debian stable and yet they keep programs and kernels updated; take KDE Neon: Ubuntu long term and Plasma fresh on top; and then there's Arch and its rolling release which I consider to be the most elegant solution, albeit at the cost of some lesser stability.
I really dislike snaps and Flatpaks :><: both in practice and in principle.
Chronarius Jul 2, 2019
QuoteI wouldn't mind something like this to replace the ridiculously large PC case I have sitting under my TV
Maybe you should have a look at the mini's from Zotac :D
https://www.zotac.com/de/product/mini_pcs/zbox-e-series/all
I have two of their "Steammachines" which are pretty amazing. Super small and super silent :D
As it is, I don't have a choice as Flatpak's the only one that can be installed on any of the systems I use or administer.
Not that I can complain too much about that, Flatpak's custom installation system means I'm able to host a shared install between a roomful of computers. And the P2P install/update system means I'm even able to do the same with non-shared installations too.
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