10 Reasons Linux Mint 7 Beats Windows 7

I have been running Linux Mint almost as long as Windows 7 (beta and RC), around a half year, on my netbook computer. The primary purpose of this netbook is to travel with me on my trips, business and personal. Over the last half year, I found that I finally prefer Linux over Windows, following nearly a decade of trying out Linux.

Here's ten reasons why:

10. No forced reboots. It seems every week there is a security update for Windows that requires a reboot. I cannot afford work-interrupting reboots, I have too many projects on the go, too many windows open with documents. I shove the reboot reminder into a far corner of the screen behind the task bar. But Linux Mint is better:

• It does not reboot to implement operating system improvements.

9. Test it before installing it. Reviewers are warning of horror stories switching from XP to 7. Even changing from Vista can create problems. But you don't find out until you begin the upgrade process, when it might be too late. In addition, Windows does not like other operating systems, and does not provide dual-boot capability. But Linux Mint is better:

• It can be installed on a USB key, and then booted independently to ensure the computer hardware is compatible.
• It can be dual-booted with Windows so that you can switch when necessary.

8. Snapping windows. Windows doesn't snap windows to the edge of the monitor. But Linxu Mint is better:

• It snaps windows for a cleaner desktop look.

7. Multiple workspaces. The many dialects of Windows are limited to a single workspace. You can create additional ones through multiple monitors, but that's expensive in two ways: the price of additional monitors, and desk spaace. But Linux Mint is better:

• Like all other dialects of Linux, Linux Mint can have up to four workspaces.
• And Linux supports multiple monitors.

6. Drag buttons on taskbar. Windows 8 finally allows this (Vista does not): dragging buttons around the taskbar. A small thing, but important to me, since I expect the same buttons in the same locations for greater work efficiency. Linux Mint already does this.

5. The time applet. Vista and 7 let you have up to three clocks in the time applet, which I find useful for knowing the time in Germany and another part of the world. But Linux Mint is better:

• It allows an unlimited number of clocks. See illustration below. That lets me know the Eastern time, Germany, Moscow, or other countries with whom I do business.
• It displays an icon summarizing the local weather.
• It lets me quickly change to local time.

4. Disconnect drives. Windows requires you to right-click a drive name and then choose Safely Remove. Or use the difficult-to-figure-out Safely Remove Hardware, illustrated below:

But Linux Mint is better:

• It displays the eject icon next to each drive. See figure below.
• No need to right-click, no confusing lists of generic names.

3. No network restrictions (it's my data). Inexplicably, Windows Vista and 7 prevent me from accessing any folder on any of my networked computers. Only the Public folder and certain other folders are available. But Linux Mint is better:

• It lets me access any folder.
• It accesses folders and drives on computers running Linux, Windows, and other systems.

2. It's free. Windows costs and costs and costs. And costs for every computer, whether directly or hidden in the purchase price. But Linux Mint is better:

• It is free.
• It can be installed on as many computers as I need.
• The organization accepts donations. (I've given one.)

And the number one reason is...

1. Fast boots, near-instant wake-ups. Sure, Windows 7 might be faster than Vista at booting up (although more recent reports put doubt on that claim of speed). It does this by cheating: the desktop and its icons appear quicker, but 7 keeps on loading in the background -- giving the illusion of faster boots. But Linux Mint is better:

• Linux Mint boots twice as fast as Windows 7.
• And it is ready to use once the desktop appears; no sluggish performance.
  Because Linux is ready quickly for me to use, I prefer to use it.

Linux Mint v8 is estimated to be ready in December. In the meantime, version 7 can be downloaded free from www.linuxmint.com/download.php. They appreciate donations.