New Linux Mint setup, 2025
I needed to upgrade my computer. Not for power, or a failing computer, but because the software is failing. Unlike last time, I didn’t look what was available. I took Linux Mint as the operating system. Unlike last time, Linux Mint installed nice and slick. But then…
Base setup
After base installation, Linux Mint offers a step‐by‐step base setup check guide. This offers the ‘hardware manager’ (also available through ‘System Settings’) for computer‐specific drivers, and a few other items like language packs. Even after several installations, I work through this before a restart, as cross‐check, then ticking the box to say I never want to see it again.
Mint customisation
Why, after all these years, a white on black theme? And that modern I‐suppose‐carbon desktop wallpaper? Ok (roughly in the order I seem to tackle them),
Light theme
I needed to change the mouse pointer also, sometimes
Desktop panel to the top
right‐click, then ’move’ it
Browser switched to preferred search engine
‘Duck Duck Go’ for me
Desktop background/‘wallpaper’
usually from the web, but see ‘preferences’ below—light pastel. Of course, most of what is on offer is ’nature’, with a few war machines. Sometimes I feel humans deserve what they get
Double‐size scrollbars
Somewhat obscured configuration in ‘Preferences > Themes’> Advanced Settings > Settings’. May also want to switch ‘overlay toolbars’ off for this (they’re just annoying)
I like big and bold…
Font sizing/scaling has never worked for me, so ‘Preferences > Display’ and reduce screen resolution (faffing with font sizing and bar‐expanding controls never worked for me except on KDE/Plasma‐based operating systems. Yes, this damages visual finesse)
…and I like black text
Especially on smaller computer displays, though it’s a hack
Basic software
Mint Linux software choices are good. But I’m adding. See below…
Light on dark theme for terminals
I’ve never gone for this hardcore commandline‐is‐not‐GUI malarkey. ‘Edit > Preferences > General’ switch on ‘show menubar by default in new terminals’ and ask ‘Theme variant’ to ‘follow general style’. Then in ‘Edit > Preferences > Unnamed > colours’, I go for ‘Tango light’
Further Preferences
The above are settings I might change on any computer, maybe even offer for other people. There are some other settings I might change for myself, so,
Preferences > System Settings
Then these,
Backgrounds
The ones in Linux Mint never work for me, but I do have a look, and have used them temporarily while setting up the system, especially after the dark/light theme switch
Effects
I often turn desktop effects i.e. animation, off. They’re slow and use CPU power
(Applets) Add a system monitor
I’m old school, I like to know if my system is being hammered and when. Currently I install ‘Multi‐core System Monitor’. Mint gives a warning that monitors can crash Cinnamon i.e. the entire desktop. I believe this is an old issue with Linux desktops, not Mint alone, but I’ve never had a problem
(Applets) Add a workplace switcher
…and some workspaces
Screensaver
I’m not bothered about images nowadays, but I prefer delay at 20 or near mins
Now I’ll feel like I’m getting someplace.
Check a mobile phone can plugin
Often not possible on other systems, but possible in Linux. Useful (beats self‐emails). So try it. The system may grumble ‘Filesystem can not be mounted’, but tinkering with phone settings e.g. ‘USB connection’ then switching to ‘File transfer’ will often open a remote browser to the phone’s memory.
Extra software
Probably of interest to anyone,
VLC
Play anything sound and video streaming
Inkscape
Vector editing
GIMP
Photoshop type editing
Transferring Firefox tabs, passwords, etc.
I tried using the ‘sync’—‐which needs an account—not copying a profile. This worked half‐well. I loved that ‘sync’ transferred passwords, and can optionally transfer tabs. But, maybe I messed up because ‘sync’ scrambled my tab order, which is, across fifty tabs, grief. NB: disconnect ‘sync’ after transfer, if you want to keep stable.
Also, see the next section.
Multi‐Factor authentication
Multi‐factor authentication will nowadays stall many accounts transferred to other devices. ‘ Attempt to access from a new device. Is this you?’ kind of prompts. The accounts will not work until you give approval.
This can include online accounts—just because it’s from a web‐browser, the authentication may still object. So for starters, web‐based email accounts will need re‐authentication, I also need to approve or install approval tokens for some online services, such as my Python account.
Extra work
These items are of more interest to myself. But may ring some bells,
Extra software
Synaptic
The new Software Manager is everything that everyone else wants. Me, I’m glad I can still download Synaptic
EasyEffects
make your not‐bad headphones sound better
Handbrake, SoundConverter etc.
sometimes useful, depends what you get up to
QGIS
’cos I like maps, see elsewhere in this site
Geany
text editor with code‐writing facilities
Gnumeric
I like it better than Excel or LibreOffice Calc
Extreme TuxRacer
Someone will ask, or that moment will come
Git
Git will need setting up. With,
name
email
(probably) choice of text editor
And it will need an SSH connection (see next step)
SSH
I have a few activities that use SSH connections. These need setting up. See SSH general instructions for how. Notably,
Github
Connections to web servers
Programming
I do some computer coding. Most of this is too individual for listing but, as example (in Linux Mint, the language Python is pre‐installed),
Python‐venv
Explained elsewhere, carries dependencies with code. Installed through packaging
Python‐pip
Python package download
Scala and SBT
SBT = Scala build tool. Cranky language time, means destruction of packaging setup. I used ‘cs’
minifier
Program for crushing web‐code. With commandline control
TML Markup
I have a markup language, so the Mime type, highlighters and icon need installation.
QGIS setup
QGIS can take some setting up. I need,
Coordinate transforms
Fonts (OpenSans and OS fonts)
and I use this plugin (in repository),
multilayer clip
I also find this separate app useful,
gps‐prune