Why I use Linux Mint in the mornings

Ok, so firstly, this isn’t the first time I’ve written about Linux Mint, although the last time I did, it was several years ago. 

My approach this time around wasn’t trying to see if I could do everything I could do using Microsoft Windows, using Linux Mint instead, which is an alternate software Operating System to Windows. I’m pretty sure that even though it’s been a while since I used it, I still think that some of the software apps and tools that I use within the business, still won’t work on Linux… and that’s OK, and that is actually what I was looking for…

Hacking my productivity

Since the return to work from Christmas, we’ve been very busy at Lucid Towers. We’ve had all the usual Business IT Support, with an extra serving of Project work and rolling out a higher-than-normal volume of new computers. This is all good for business of course, and brings its challenges in getting things done.

Having taken a step back, and discussed these challenges, it was decided that I should try a minimal approach to the particular task I wanted to work on. For example, if I want to produce a blog article like this one, then whatever computer I’m producing it on, should be set up in such a way, that I’m just able to access what I need to do this task. So, that means no email, no Slack and no carrying out remote IT Support.

The need for focus and minimal computer systems

Firstly, I want to set up multiple profiles on my computer. For example, if I was producing a blog article,  I would log in using my Business Development profile. Within that profile, the browser is configured to launch into the various sites that I need to work on all things Business Development for Lucid. Now, yes, I could have done a similar thing with Windows, but the problem there is me, in that, I know how easily I could jump on Slack or access our Remote Support tools, and next thing you know, like Alice, I’ve gone down a rabbit hole. I know that some of the tools I use daily, either don’t work on Linux, or it’s very difficult to get them working, which is a good thing on this occasion.

And this is where Linux Mint comes in…

I knew using Windows for this productivity test would be setting me up for failure. I decided that I’d leave my usual daily laptop as it is (as I do need it when I choose to do IT Support or Network Support onsite for example), and went to see what was in the pile of spares and old laptops at Lucid Towers. I found an old HP laptop, which we’d previously brought back to life, which was a few years old. I won’t bore you with the installation process, this was very quick and easy to do, within an hour I had a fresh installation of Linux Mint ready to use on the old laptop.

Benefits of using Linux Mint on old computers

Older computers, depending on their specifications, might struggle to run Windows, and might not be compatible with Windows 11. Linux Mint, however, doesn’t need to same resources that Windows does. A five-year-old laptop with an i3 Processor and 4GB of RAM will work just fine, infact I’d go as far as saying it will be snappy and quick.

Multiple profiles, using just a web browser

Having got my ‘new laptop’ up and running with Linux Mint, I then went about setting up multiple profiles for each of the job roles I juggle as a business owner. Each of these profiles is configured to launch a certain set of websites based on that role. This way I’m not constantly jumping from accounts to blog writing to operations. It almost forces me to stay on that task at hand. And, as I mentioned before, I literally can’t use our remote support tools or access customer details on this laptop, which is what I wanted to achieve.

What do I Iike about Linux Mint?

• It’s really quick and responsive, even on an old laptop
• I like the minimal look and feel of it
• Just for web browsing and doing basic documents, it’s great
• It’s easy to use, making it great for school children for example

What problems have I had with Linux Mint?

• On the rare occasion, normally when I’m jumping between profiles after waking it from sleep mode, it can become unstable
• I find the autocomplete in the Firefox browser annoying, and even I as a techie, haven’t yet figured out how to turn it off
• Some parts our web-based help desk system, sometimes don’t work in Firefox on Linux Mint, for some reason

The conclusion to being all Minty

Overall, I like it. For the context and purposes of what I wanted to use it for, it’s great, and I like it. Given time, I can probably resolve the issues I’ve had with it. I’ll be continuing to use it for my productivity test. Having run my experiment for just a week so far, it already looks good, I do feel more focussed on the tasks I’m working on, within the customised profile I’ve created to do that work. I think Linux Mint would be great for younger children who are just getting started using a computer, and it also would be good for older people who are also getting started on a computer (or coming back to it). Could I use it all the time for all of my tasks? No, but on this occasion, I don’t want to achieve that anyway. Linux Mint is good, it’s free and it’s something different.

If you wish to discuss any of these ideas, please email hello@lucidcomputersolutions.co.uk or call us on 01527 908646.

Gavin Moorhouse is the owner of Lucid Computer Solutions, based in Redditch, Worcestershire. He loves to be minty fresh in the mornings.