Linux Mint 8 Released
Ubuntu fans that have slight problems with their current version 9.10 might want to look at Linux Mint. Version 8, a.k.a. "Helena," is now ready for download.
Linux Mint 8 is based on Ubuntu 9.10 and, unlike the official version, provides all the multmedia components and a couple of further enhancements. The distro is currently at number four in the DistroWatch ranking and can confidently be considered the best Ubuntu derivative.
Linux Mint 8 alias Helena look and feel.
In the new release code-named Helena, main developer Clement Lefebvre not only made the desktop visually more attractive but added a new Upload Manager and countless detailed enhancements. Due to its Karmic Koala underpinnings, Linux Mint 8 is based on Kernel 2.6.31, GNOME 2.28 and X.org 7.4. Apart from the Ubuntu-based changes, the new version now supports an OEM installation module that allows bypassing packages during updates. Details on the Helena release are on the project homepage.
Because Linux Mint servers might be overloaded, it's best to use mirrors to download the ISO files, such as ftp.heanet.ie. The 700-MByte main English language edition provides complete multimedia support. The 1-GByte universal edition supports many languages, but excludes the legally controversial additions. The Mint team promises a 64-bit edition soon to supplement the 32-bit one, as well as a KDE version.
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Dash to Panel Maintainer Quits
Charles Gagnon has stepped away as maintainer of the popular Dash to Panel Gnome extension.
-
CIQ Releases Security-Hardened Version of Rocky Linux
If you're looking for an enterprise-grade Linux distribution that is hardened for business use, there's a new version of Rocky Linux that's sure to make you and your company happy.
-
Gnome’s Dash to Panel Extension Gets a Massive Update
If you're a fan of the Gnome Dash to Panel extension, you'll be thrilled to hear that a new version has been released with a dock mode.
-
Blender App Makes it to the Big Screen
The animated film "Flow" won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature at the 97th Academy Awards held on March 2, 2025 and Blender was a part of it.
-
Linux Mint Retools the Cinnamon App Launcher
The developers of Linux Mint are working on an improved Cinnamon App Launcher with a better, more accessible UI.
-
New Linux Tool for Security Issues
Seal Security is launching a new solution to automate fixing Linux vulnerabilities.
-
Ubuntu 25.04 Coming Soon
Ubuntu 25.04 (Plucky Puffin) has been given an April release date with many notable updates.
-
Gnome Developers Consider Dropping RPM Support
In a move that might shock a lot of users, the Gnome development team has proposed the idea of going straight up Flatpak.
-
openSUSE Tumbleweed Ditches AppArmor for SELinux
If you're an openSUSE Tumbleweed user, you can expect a major change to the distribution.
-
Plasma 6.3 Now Available
Plasma desktop v6.3 has a couple of pretty nifty tricks up its sleeve.