Linux Mint, the distribution that tries to set itself apart for beginners (but not only) along with their own Cinnamon desktop environment, have some plans to help users upgrade.
Jumping between small releases is currently fine, since Linux Mint sticks to the same Ubuntu package base. However, upgrading to a new major version can be a hassle. Thankfully, they're working on solving this issue with a brand new upgrade tool in the works.
Compared with the existing upgrade tool these are the main features:
- It’s fully graphical, no command line.
- It’s localized (the existing tool is only in English).
- It performs more checks to make sure everything is fine (for instance it checks that you are connected to AC power, free space vs download size, list of removed packages etc..).
- It’s configurable (even though you really shouldn’t skip anything, it does allow you to disable some requirements, such as the presence of a Timeshift snapshot).
- It preserves your choice of mirrors (it checks to see if they’re compatible, responsive and up to date)
- It doesn’t force you to remove your custom repositories and PPAs (it checks whether or not they support the target release though)
- It warns but lets you keep orphaned packages (packages which aren’t present in repositories)
- It provides and handles solutions (for most detected issues, along with the explanation you’ll just need to click a “Fix” button to solve the issue).
They also said it's the "number one priority" this current development cycle, and they will be using it for people who jump between the LMDE (Linux Mint Debian Edition) versions 4 and 5 first and then later for Linux Mint 20.3 to Linux Mint 21. It makes sense to use it on the lesser used version to help iron out any kinks.
Additionally, Linux Mint 21 is codenamed "Vanessa" and it will be based on Ubuntu 22.04 and support 3 editions: Cinnamon, MATE and Xfce.
Eagle-eyed viewers will also spot a video created by a certain person (me) in the blog post.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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Having been on Arch based distros a number of years now, I can't believe in 2022 there are still distros like Mint and I'm guessing Elementary where full reinstalls are necessary for version upgrades? Wow....Well, that was rude. Shall I diss Arch now?
1 Likes, Who?
FinixFighter Apr 11, 2022
I've been waiting for this feature for a long time! I love it! And it's also extremely useful for non expert users: I know person who would gladly use an alternative free (as in freedom) system, but don't know anything about computers, they don't even know what a terminal is.. For all these people, it will now be so easy to have an up to date system, without the need for their grandson to come visit them and updated their computer XD
Last edited by FinixFighter on 11 April 2022 at 1:04 pm UTC
Last edited by FinixFighter on 11 April 2022 at 1:04 pm UTC
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I've been waiting for this feature for a long time! I love it! And it's also extremely useful for non expert users: I know person who would gladly use an alternative free (as in freedom) system, but don't know anything about computers, they don't even know what a terminal is.. For all these people, it will now be so easy to have an up to date system, without the need for their grandson to come visit them and updated their computer XDNow I feel sad for the poor old people whose grandson just lost his only reason to visit even once every two years.
5 Likes, Who?
FinixFighter Apr 18, 2022
Now I feel sad for the poor old people whose grandson just lost his only reason to visit even once every two years.
Ahah that's a good point! XD
Last edited by FinixFighter on 18 April 2022 at 8:11 am UTC
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Agreed, reading it again, my post does come across as snarky and baity. I regret posting it, and apologize. In that moment, though, not following Mint regularly, I was just honestly (but poorly) expressing my genuine surprise that the update issue is still a thing. That was one one of the reasons that I left Mint what feels like ages ago after two or three bad update episodes. I loved it and donated regularly. A shame, as obviously there's a lot of dedication and skill behind Mint....Having been on Arch based distros a number of years now, I can't believe in 2022 there are still distros like Mint and I'm guessing Elementary where full reinstalls are necessary for version upgrades? Wow....Well, that was rude. Shall I diss Arch now?
Last edited by iiari on 19 April 2022 at 9:10 am UTC
2 Likes, Who?
I have to admit I agree it's a bit much that it's taken Mint this long to start tackling the upgrade issue. It's about the only thing that annoys me about Mint.Agreed, reading it again, my post does come across as snarky and baity. I regret posting it, and apologize. In that moment, though, not following Mint regularly, I was just honestly (but poorly) expressing my genuine surprise that the update issue is still a thing. That was one one of the reasons that I left Mint what feels like ages ago after two or three bad update episodes. I loved it and donated regularly. A shame, as obviously there's a lot of dedication and skill behind Mint....Having been on Arch based distros a number of years now, I can't believe in 2022 there are still distros like Mint and I'm guessing Elementary where full reinstalls are necessary for version upgrades? Wow....Well, that was rude. Shall I diss Arch now?
Mind you, to be fair, it probably takes no more time to reinstall Mint like 5 times than to install Arch once.
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