Linux Mint 17.3 Stabilizes Cinnamon Desktop

Linux Mint 17.3 Stabilizes Cinnamon Desktop

The final Linux Mint update for 2015, code-named “Rosa,” focuses on stability and further enhancing the desktop user experience.

Linux Mint 17.3 Is Based on Ubuntu 14.04

As is the case with previous iterations of Linux Mint 17, the 17.3 update is based on Ubuntu 14.04 Linux. As a Long Term Support (LTS) release, Linux Mint 17.3 will get security updates until 2019.

Software Sources Improve Mirror Visibility

Within the Linux Mint 17.3 update manager, users now get improved visibility into the performance of the software source mirrors from which they can download updates.

Security Improves With Password Strength Indicator

When users select or change their password, a password strength indicator is now present to show them how strong the password is (or isn’t).

Sound Control Is Enhanced

The sound applet in the Cinnamon desktop now provides more options for users, including more visibility into output devices that are available.

LibreOffice Office Suite Gets Update

LibreOffice, the default office suite included with Linux Mint, is being updated to version 5—from the LibreOffice 4.4.3 release that was included in Linux Mint 17.2.

Firefox 42 Is the Default Web Browser

Linux Mint 17.3 ships with the Firefox 42 Web browser as the default choice. Mozilla updated Firefox to version 42 at the beginning of November with an improved tracking protection feature.

Linux 3.19 Is the Foundation

Linux Mint 17.3 also benefits from the Linux 3.19 kernel, which is an incremental update over Linux 3.16, which was included in the Linux Mint 17.2 release.

Linux Mint Rosa Packaged for OEMs

A key target for Linux Mint are OEMs that ship systems with Linux Mint preinstalled. To facilitate OEMs’ needs, there are OEM images available for Linux Mint 17.3.