Linux Mint 18 Brings Mint-Y Theme to Linux Desktop
The major release of the popular desktop Linux distribution follows the Linux Mint 17.3 update and will benefit from long-term support until 2021.
Linux Mint 18 Is Code-Named Sarah
As has long been the case with Linux Mint releases, the new release has a female code name. Linux Mint is code-named Sarah and follows the Linux Mint 17.3 update named Rosa.
Cinnamon 3 Desktop Environment Debuts
The open-source Cinnamon 3 desktop makes its Linux Mint debut in the new release. Linux Mint 17.3 included the Cinnamon 2.8 release.
Cinnamon 3 Adds Effects
Among the user-visible enhancements in Cinnamon are improved window tiling capabilities. Additionally, the Cinnamon 3 desktop environment enables effects on dialogs and menus by default.
Mint-Y Theme Now an Option
Prior releases of Linux Mint only included the Mint-X theme and its associated window and icon styles. With Linux Mint 18, users have the option of the new Mint-Y theme, providing more style choices to users.
Update Manager Gets Updated
A core improvement in Linux Mint 18 is the Update Manager, which now provides users with an easy-to-use configuration screen for choosing update frequency policy.
Gufx Graphical Firewall Is Included by Default
To help make it easier for users to configure a firewall, Linux Mint 18 includes the gufw graphical firewall configuration tool.
Minecraft, Anyone?
As gaming on Linux is becoming increasingly popular, Linux Mint 18 now makes it easier for users to install some popular choices, including Minecraft and Steam.
Linux 4.4
At the heart of Linux Mint 18 is a Linux 4.4 kernel. Linux creator Linus Torvalds released Linux 4.4 on Jan. 10.