Just Re-installed Linux Mint Again: A Minimalist Setup Guide by revWhiteShadow #

Welcome back to revWhiteShadow.gitlab.io! As /u/aquibjawedio recently shared their Linux Mint re-installation experience, we felt compelled to share our own refined, minimalist setup process. We believe in a lean, efficient system that caters specifically to our needs, minimizing bloat and maximizing performance. This isn’t just about installing Linux Mint; it’s about crafting a personalized, streamlined computing experience. Let’s dive in.

Choosing the Right Linux Mint Edition: Starting Strong #

The foundation of any great Linux Mint setup lies in selecting the appropriate edition. While Cinnamon, MATE, and Xfce all offer unique desktop environments, we consistently gravitate towards Xfce for its exceptional resource efficiency and customizability. Cinnamon, while visually appealing, can be heavier on system resources, particularly on older hardware. MATE provides a classic GNOME 2 experience, which some find comfortable, but we prefer the granular control offered by Xfce.

Before downloading, ensure your system meets the minimum system requirements. While Linux Mint is known for its lightweight nature, having sufficient RAM (at least 2GB, ideally 4GB or more) and storage space (20GB is recommended, but we suggest 40GB or more for comfortable operation) significantly impacts performance. Once you’ve downloaded the ISO, verify its integrity using the provided SHA256 checksum. This crucial step ensures that the download wasn’t corrupted during transmission, preventing potential installation issues.

We always recommend using Ventoy for creating bootable USB drives. Ventoy allows you to simply copy ISO files to the USB drive without needing to reformat or create new bootable media each time. This streamlines the process of testing different distributions or different versions of Linux Mint. BalenaEtcher remains a solid alternative if Ventoy isn’t your cup of tea.

Live Environment Testing and Initial Impressions #

Before committing to a full installation, boot into the live environment. This is your chance to test hardware compatibility, verify that your Wi-Fi adapter works correctly, and get a feel for the desktop environment. Pay close attention to driver support for your graphics card, as this can impact visual performance. If you encounter any issues, research them before proceeding with the installation. Often, a simple search will reveal a workaround or solution.

Consider testing your audio output and microphone in the live environment. This can save you headaches later on. Open the sound settings and experiment with different input and output devices. If you have multiple audio interfaces, ensure the correct one is selected.

Installation: A Step-by-Step Guide to a Minimalist Mint #

The Linux Mint installer is user-friendly, but knowing the nuances can make the process even smoother.

Partitioning Strategy: Tailoring Your Storage #

During the installation process, you’ll be presented with partitioning options. While the “Erase disk and install Linux Mint” option is convenient, we strongly advocate for manual partitioning for a more controlled setup.

1. Root Partition (/): Allocate at least 30GB for the root partition. This is where the operating system and installed applications will reside. We prefer using the ext4 file system for its reliability and performance.

2. Swap Partition (or Swap File): The swap partition acts as virtual RAM. If you have limited RAM (e.g., 4GB or less), creating a swap partition is recommended. The general guideline is to allocate a swap partition equal to or slightly larger than your RAM. However, with 8GB or more of RAM, a smaller swap partition (e.g., 2GB) or a swap file is usually sufficient. Swap files are easier to manage and resize, and can also be easily removed.

3. Home Partition (/home): This is where your user data, documents, and configuration files will be stored. We recommend allocating the remaining space to the home partition. Separating the home partition from the root partition allows you to reinstall the operating system without losing your personal data. This is a critical component of maintaining a minimalist and organised installation.

When creating partitions, be mindful of your storage device. If you’re installing on an SSD, enable TRIM support to optimize performance and prolong the SSD’s lifespan. The installer typically handles this automatically, but it’s worth verifying.

Minimal Software Selection During Installation #

Linux Mint comes pre-installed with a variety of applications. During the installation process, you may be given the option to install multimedia codecs. We always recommend doing this. However, resist the urge to install other optional software packages that you don’t immediately need. The goal is to start with a clean slate and install only the applications that you actually use. We can always install additional software later.

Post-Installation Configuration: Fine-Tuning for Optimal Performance #

Once the installation is complete, it’s time to fine-tune the system for optimal performance and customization.

System Updates: Staying Current #

The first step is always to update the system. Open the Terminal and run the following commands:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

These commands update the package lists and upgrade all installed packages to the latest versions. Regularly updating your system is crucial for security and stability.

Driver Management: Ensuring Hardware Compatibility #

Linux Mint usually handles driver installation automatically, but it’s worth checking the Driver Manager application to see if any proprietary drivers are available for your graphics card or other hardware components. Installing proprietary drivers can often improve performance, particularly for gaming.

Removing Unnecessary Software: The Art of Minimization #

Now comes the fun part: removing unnecessary software. Linux Mint includes several pre-installed applications that you may not need. We usually remove the following:

• LibreOffice: While a powerful office suite, if you primarily use online office applications like Google Docs or Microsoft Office Online, LibreOffice can be removed to free up disk space.
• Thunderbird: If you prefer a web-based email client or a different email application, Thunderbird can be removed.
• Games: Linux Mint includes a few simple games. If you’re not a gamer, these can be removed.
• Printing Support: If you don’t have a printer, you can remove the printing support packages.

To remove these applications, use the following command in the Terminal:

sudo apt remove <package-name>

Replace <package-name> with the name of the application you want to remove. You can find the exact package name by using the apt list --installed command.

Be careful when removing software, as removing essential system components can break your system. If you’re unsure about whether to remove a package, research it first.

Customizing the Desktop Environment: Tailoring to Your Workflow #

Xfce is highly customizable, allowing you to tailor the desktop environment to your specific workflow.

1. Panel Configuration: The panel is the bar at the top or bottom of the screen. You can add or remove launchers, applets, and system tray icons. We prefer a minimalist panel with only the essential items.
2. Theme Selection: Xfce supports a variety of themes. Experiment with different themes to find one that suits your taste. We often use dark themes to reduce eye strain.
3. Wallpaper: Choose a calming and distraction-free wallpaper.
4. Keyboard Shortcuts: Customize keyboard shortcuts to speed up your workflow. For example, you can assign a keyboard shortcut to launch your favorite applications or to switch between workspaces.
5. Window Manager Tweaks: Fine-tune the window manager settings to control window behavior, such as window snapping and focus.

Installing Essential Applications: Building Your Toolkit #

Once you’ve removed unnecessary software, it’s time to install the applications that you actually need. Here are some of our essential applications:

• Web Browser: Firefox is our preferred web browser, but Chrome or Brave are also excellent choices.
• Text Editor: Visual Studio Code is our go-to text editor for coding and writing.
• Terminal Emulator: We stick with the default Xfce terminal emulator.
• File Manager: Thunar is the default file manager in Xfce and it is excellent for basic file management tasks.
• Image Viewer: Ristretto is a lightweight and fast image viewer.
• PDF Viewer: Evince is a lightweight and versatile PDF viewer.
• Multimedia Player: VLC media player is a powerful and versatile multimedia player that can handle virtually any media format.

Optimizing Boot Time: Speeding Up Startup #

Optimizing boot time can significantly improve your overall computing experience.

1. Systemd Analyze: Use the systemd-analyze blame command to identify services that are taking a long time to start.
2. Disable Unnecessary Services: Disable services that you don’t need using the systemctl disable <service-name> command. Be careful when disabling services, as disabling essential system services can break your system.
3. Optimize Startup Applications: Remove unnecessary startup applications from the Xfce session settings.

Configuring Power Management: Saving Energy #

Configuring power management settings can help you save energy and prolong your laptop’s battery life. Adjust the screen brightness, set the system to suspend or hibernate after a period of inactivity, and enable power saving features like CPU frequency scaling.

Security Considerations: Protecting Your System #

Security is paramount. We implement the following measures:

• Firewall: Enable the UFW firewall to protect your system from unauthorized access.
• Automatic Updates: Enable automatic updates to ensure that your system is always up-to-date with the latest security patches.
• Strong Passwords: Use strong, unique passwords for all your accounts.
• Regular Backups: Regularly back up your data to an external drive or cloud storage service.

Conclusion: A Personalized and Efficient Linux Mint Experience #

By following these steps, you can create a minimalist and efficient Linux Mint setup that is tailored to your specific needs. This approach minimizes bloat, maximizes performance, and provides a personalized computing experience. We hope this guide has been helpful. Visit revWhiteShadow.gitlab.io for more tips and tricks on Linux and open source software.