Linux Mint 17.2 release with updates for Cinnamon and Mate

Linux Mint 17.2 update addresses user issues and makes these little changes create a significant impact. The new release actually the same desktop with noticeable improvements.

The Register reported that Linux Mint 17.2 was recently released with practical upgrades in basically the same desktop. Its new release includes new features in its Update Manager such as package alias support. This feature works by categorizing packages to its related software by giving it aliases. When your computer has a muffin update, it will appear as cinnamon-muffin which lets you know that the update package is related to cinnamon.

Mint 17.2 also comes with a software add-on recommendation called "apt recommends." Just type in "apt recommends (name of software)" and it will come up with the recommended add-ons. Another Update Manager's new feature is the ability to hide its system tray icon when there is no available update. Mint's Software Sources tool has also updated to allow installation without switching to a different tool by opening PPA archives. It also lists "foreign packages" for easy purging of packages with unknown origin and version. Mint 17.2 has also updated two of its desktops Cinnamon and Mate.

Cinnamon's new dual monitor support now enables users to set up independent panels. As a result, single monitors can now have multiple instances. Another update to Cinnamon is a feature called "inhibit." It prevents all notifications, turns off screen lock and auto light adjustments which is great when playing games or watching movies.

It also features better sound applet that more accurately detects output devices which also supports PulseAudio. Each application's volume level can also be adjusted independently. The updated Cinnamon also features a force restart through Ctrl+Alt+Esc which restarts your session as it was including open apps and unsaved work.

Mint 17.2 has also updated its lightweight desktop Mate. According to a PC World report, Mate 1.10 addressed memory leaks which now uses lesser RAM. Its Caja file manager features plugin-management interface. PulseAudio or any other sound app you're using is easily detected by Mate's new libmatemixer library.

Ubuntu users already like Mint which makes the update a step to make its users like it even more. Although these new features and enhancements are impressive, it may take more efforts to produce Ubuntu converts.