Linux Mint Debian Edition - a green goddess

Still on the hunt for the ultimate netbook Linux distribution, I recently discovered a great new project by the Linux Mint team. Until recently they have focussed on re-packaging Ubuntu Linux into a more attractive desktop distribution. Recently though, they have launched a project which, like Ubuntu itself, is now based directly on Debian. However, unlike Ubuntu, Linux Mint Debian Edtion (LMDE) is based on Debian's 'testing' branch, which means that instead of having a periodical release schedule, new updates are added all the time. In theory then, you install LMDE once, and once only. Just run online update to keep up with the latest developments.

So the rolling release philosophy, along with Mint's exquisite design and artwork, for me combine into a very interesting project. I've just installed it onto my HP Mini 110 netbook and can confirm it works a treat. It takes a little more effort to set-up than, say, Ubuntu, but in theory I should never have to re-install, and the pay-off is to enjoy the Mint team's wonderful attention to detail. Below are some screenshots, plus my installation notes in case anyone else wants to try this on the HP Mini, or similar netbook.

Screenshots:

The standard desktop, with my own minor customisations for my netbook.

Mint uses a custom 'start' menu which is extremely functional and very attractive. The best I've used in any distribution.

Mint's theme applied to the standard Gnome file browser.

Mint's software centre for finding and installing apps.

Installation notes:

These notes are for my installation onto the HP Mini 110 based on my own needs. This is not an exhaustive guide, but I've tried to include as much detail as possible:

Setting up an SD card with 32 bit Mint Debian DVD for installation:

Format a 2Gb or larger SD card with FAT32 on Windows.

Download the 32 bit DVD .iso from the Mint web site (http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=66) and install to SD card using Windows UNetbootin (download from http://unetbootin.sourceforge.net/). I used the 'Mint 9 Live' preset.

Installation:

Connect wired LAN cable (needed to install wireless driver).

Insert SD card into netbook and switch on.

Press 'F9' on BIOS screen to select boot from SD card.

At UNetbootin boot menu, select 'Default'

Boot to the live desktop, then install system using the standard installer with the following options:

Computer name: hp-mini-110

Install GRUB on /dev/sda

When prompted. re-boot into the new desktop, install all updates, & reboot once more.

Fix missing wireless:

Install propriatary Broadcom driver thus:

(Reference: http://wiki.debian.org/wl#Squeeze)

In a terminal, type:

sudo aptitude update

sudo aptitude install module-assistant wireless-tools

sudo m-a a-i broadcom-sta

sudo vi /etc/modprobe.d/broadcom-sta-common.conf

Append the file with the following:

blacklist brcm80211

sudo update-initramfs -u -k $(uname -r)

sudo modprobe -r b44 b43 b43legacy ssb brcm80211

sudo modprobe wl

sudo iwconfig

Then reboot, disconnect your wired LAN cable, and configure wireless using Gnome Network Manager.

Install some essential apps:

Install using Software Manager or via terminal:

sudo apt-get install chromium-browser ttf-mscorefonts-installer gnome-alsamixer

Disable PC speaker (to stop an annoying buzz on boot and shut-down):

Launch Gnome Alsa Mixer, and mute the PC Speaker.

Desktop settings:

Desktop Settings -> Change button layout to 'Left - Mac like'.

Change panel from bottom to top.

Remove 'show desktop' icon from panel and replace with 'workspace switcher'.

Add Computer, Home, Network, and Trash icons to right-hand side of desktop using Desktop Settings. Untick Mounted Volumes.

Enable Compiz

Add the following Gnome startup entry:

Name: Compiz

Command: compiz --replace

Description: Start compositing manager

Reboot to enable Compiz, then In CCSM select:

General Options -> Focus & Raise Behaviour: Untick 'click to focus'. Tick 'auto-raise'.

Enable Application Switcher

Enable Minimize Effect

Move Window -> Change opactity to 75%

Enable Desktop Cube and Rotate Cube (needed to enable multiple desktops, otherwise you are stuck on just 1)

Desktop Cube -> Change cube colour to black (to remove blue cube top & bottom)

Rotate Cube -> Transparent Cube -> 'opacity during rotation' = 50%

Configure Power Management:

On AC Power:

Put computer to sleep: Never

When laptop lid is closed: Shutdown

Never spin down disks

Put display to sleep: 30 minutes

On Battery Power:

Put computer to sleep: 10 minutes

When laptop lid is closed: Shutdown

When laptop power is critically low: Suspend

Do spin down disks

Put display to sleep: 5 minutes

Do reduce backlight brightness

General:

Keep default settings

Configure Firewall and allow browsing Samba shares on Windows PCs, etc:

In a terminal type:

sudo vi /etc/default/ufw

then change:

IPT_MODULES="nf_conntrack_ftp nf_nat_ftp nf_conntrack_irc nf_nat_irc"

to:

IPT_MODULES="nf_conntrack_ftp nf_nat_ftp nf_conntrack_irc nf_nat_irc nf_conntrack_netbios_ns"

Save and exit vi, then in a terminal type:

sudo ufw enable

sudo reboot

And that's about it. I hope I've inspired you to try this interesting new distribution - I'm certainly hoping to keep it on my netbook in the long term.

Thanks for reading,

Nick