Linux Mint 18.2: Desktops and Administration

This book covers the Linux Mint 18.2 release (Sonya), focusing on desktops and administrative tools. The emphasis here is on what users will face when using Mint, covering topics like installation, applications, software management, the Mint desktops (Cinnamon, Mate, KDE, and Xfce), shell commands, network connections, and system administration tasks. Linux Mint 18.2 is based on the Ubuntu 16.04 LTR (Long Term Release). The Cinnamon, Mate, and Linux Mint KDE desktops are examined in detail. Cinnamon and Mate have custom Mint menus to manage access to applications and devices. Advanced components are also examined such as the LightDM Display Manager, PulseAudio sound configuration, and Mint software management applications (Software Manager and Update Manager). The new X-Apps are also reviewed, including Xplayer, Xed, and Xviewer. Administration topics include system tools, managing users, file systems, Bluetooth setup, printer configuration, and network folder and file sharing. In addition, configuration of wired and wireless connections, firewalls (the Gufw and FirewallD), and service management using systemd are covered. Shared resources are also examined, including the CUPS printing server, the NFS Linux network file server, and Samba Windows file and printing server.