First blog post from the Linux MINT system

After fighting with Ubuntu 11.10 and its Unity in pain for almost one month, I finally give up. As soon as getting the new laptop, I installed the Linux Mint. It is a derivative release of Debian from Ubuntu, especially optimizing the user experience on "traditional" terminals including Desktop and Laptop.

LinuxMint Desktop (From Linux Mint blog)

Compared to the recent Ubuntus, Linux MINT seems to me much comfortable to use on a classical working environment: a 15.4 Laptop or a two-monitor desktop. Honesty, if I would like to entertain myself or to quickly check something, the iOS system on an iPAD is simply unbeatable; when it comes to serious work like coding or collecting music/photos, a stable, easy-to-use GNOME 2.x saves much more time than the current Unity or Gnome 3.x.

It is a pity that the recent Ubuntu as well as Gnome left me the feeling of neglecting user experience: how can one voluntarily abandon the right mouse button at working? why there is no simple way to put a program shortcut on the desktop? Why there cannot be a UP button as it is now in MINT? Ridiculous, why a user has to google to find that "pressing alt will show the shutdown option in Gnome 3"?

As a naive Linux user, I believe an OS should do most its job without asking its user to google or consult service hotlines. User's interaction with it should be pretty much intuitive. Unfortunately, the recent Ubuntu releases have failed at this for me. No wonder I am now turned to MINT, and seriously considering, when the long-support release Ubuntu 12.04 brings in no significant changes (probably), I shall switch my desktop to Debian.

Let's see how the MINT does its job - the first impression is really positive. Above my expectation: elegant UI, familiar layouts, useful shortcuts and swift responses. Despite of few trivial problems, the MINT team has really done an awesome job. A big thanks!