Mint 21.2 is coming, with some unexpected new features • The Register

The most recent weblog put up from the Linux Mint undertaking broadcasts new options coming in 21.2 – and a few of them are surprisingly massive adjustments for some extent launch.

The post reveals a number of new options due within the June launch. One is particularly important for anybody utilizing the Xfce taste of Mint 21, if a bit surprising: it should comprise the latest version 4.18 of the Xfce desktop.

Every whole-number model of Mint relies on the present Ubuntu LTS launch, and to get a brand new model of the desktop setting, Ubuntu customers typically should improve to a brand new launch of the distro. So, as we said at the end of last year, Xubuntu customers might want to improve to the 23.04 launch, “Lunar Lobster”, with the intention to get Xfce 4.18. Mint, nevertheless, is progressively diverging farther from its Ubuntu roots, and plans to replace the Xfce desktop in its subsequent level launch. That is amongst different fascinating adjustments coming in 21.2, together with improved Bluetooth assist, plus higher language assist and keyboard navigation on the login display screen.

The one which surprises us is a revised model of the Pix image-thumbnail supervisor. That is shifting to a GNOME mixed “header bar”, disposing of its menu-and-toolbar interface. That is probably as a result of it is primarily based on GNOME’s gThumb and Mint 21.2 strikes from gThumb 3.2 to three.12. All GNOME apps have been revamped with GNOME’s controversial “Client Side Decorations”, which is one purpose some desktop environments avoid GNOME accessories whenever possible.

The Mint undertaking already sponsors a set of different equipment, which it calls XApps, which it makes use of with all three of its supported desktops. So, for example, Mint’s model of GEdit is known as Xed, and its model of the Evince doc viewer is known as Xviewer. The Reg FOSS desk strongly prefers the normal UI: we discover that CSD will get in the way in which and is a hindrance to usability, somewhat than a boon, particularly to these with a keyboard-centric means of driving a pc somewhat than a extra mouse-oriented one – corresponding to customers with visible disabilities.

We’re faintly dismayed to see CSD creeping into Mint, even when underneath the identify “header bars.” This is not the primary instance: for example, Mint 21 contains the Hypnotix IP TV participant, which additionally makes use of a header bar and a hamburger menu somewhat than a menu bar.

Pix relies on gThumb, however gThumb in flip was initially primarily based on GqView, which remains to be round underneath the brand new identify Geeqie. Possibly it is time for a change of upstream undertaking. Mint not too long ago dropped GNOME’s Bluetooth stack and replaced it with BlueMan, and we humbly recommend that one other such alternative is so as.

Traditionally, Mint discouraged version-to-version upgrades, though level releases are much less dramatic or certainly traumatic. We have upgraded a few PCs from Mint 19 to twenty, and 20 to 21, with none show-stopper surprises up to now, so it might be time for customers of older releases to again up their computer systems and make the leap, in order that they’re prepared for Mint “Victoria” later this yr. ®