Linux Mint 16 – A practical alternative for Windows XP

Linux Mint is an Ubuntu based GNU/Linux with a user friendly attractive interface. If you are new to Linux Desktop versions, no doubt Mint Linux is the best option for you.

Best user friendly interface

If a windows user switches to some Debian destros like Ubuntu , fedora etc, no doubt at least in the very first day he will not be much comfortable with the Desktop environment. If a user who’s  never had Linux experience, will certainly find Linux Mint Cinnamon equally user friendly as XP or even better than the latest Windows 8 Metro interface. Here you can have your conventional start menu, bottom panel and taskbar. Windows users will be pleased to find the My Computer shortcut in the Mint Desktop. Like Windows 8, Cinnamon also offers “Hot Corner” feature activate the Workspace OSD. See the Linux Mint start menu and Desktop.

Performance

Linux Mint offers a great multi tasking experience with minimal resources usage. Here you can get comparatively faster switching between applications, increased fluidity of interface and more responsive windows. Linux Mint is faster and lighter than Ubuntu and Windows, especially for computers with old and under powered hardware. The OS boots up within 15 to 20 seconds and shut downs within a couple of seconds.

Completely Out of the Box Ready to use OS.

A bundle of essential applications ( including proprietary media codecs) makes Linux Mint a completely out of the box Operating System. In Microsoft Windows versions, you need to install essential application software like Office applications, Media Codecs, Image editors etc separately. Here in Linux Mint is included with browser plugins, media codecs, support for DVD playback, Java and Flash. Here the list of some bundled applications.

Graphics

The graphic applications include GIMP Image Editor, gThumb, Image Viewer, LibreOffice Draw

Internet Applications

Desktop Sharing tool, Firefox , Pidigin Internet Messenger, Thunderbird Mail, Transmission torrent client and XChat IRC are the packaged internet applications in Linux Mint Cinnamon Petra.

Office Package

LibreOffice package includes LibreOffice Base, LibreOffice Calc, LibreOffice Draw, LibreOffice Impress and LibreOffice Writer.

Media Applications

Banshee, Brasero, Video Player with embedded codecs and VLC media player applications are pre-installed in Linux Mint.

Well Organized File Structure

File Structure of Linux Mint is similar to Microsoft Windows versions. It follows the same popular user friendly tree structure. The menu bar and tree structure arrangements resemble the familiar Windows explorer.

Best Customization Options

Linux Mint gives you the user friendly customization options in a well familiarized way. You can customize each and every corner of your Linux Mint installation like Desktop background, themes, icons, menus, windows animations etc.