Team Peppermint are pleased to announce the latest iteration of our operating system Peppermint 8 Respin which still comes in 32bit and 64bit versions with the 64bit version having full UEFI and Secureboot support. Whilst a respin is generally a minor release intended as an ISO update, the Peppermint 8 Respin does contain some significant changes.
Peppermint 8 Respin (Peppermint-8-20171130) changes:-
-
- Nemo 2.8.7 updated to Nemo 3.4.7 which seems more stable during large file operations, and now has a separate process for controlling the desktop.
- OpenVPN updated in the repos to version OpenVPN 2.4.4 to support mixed mode IPv4/IPv6 VPN’s.
- Switched from lightdm-gtk-greeter to slick-greeter. So a new much prettier login screen, and a GUI utility in the menu called ‘Login Window’ for login screen settings, including the ability to add/change/remove an autologin user.
- Added a desktop right-click “Open Peppermint Settings Panel” context menu item. We noticed that people who borked or deleted their xfce4-panel had no easy way to get to the Peppermint Settings Panel so they could use the panel reset function to recover, now they can by right-clicking on the desktop.
- Installed mint-translations, so included mint applications are now available with non-English translations.
- Fixed peppermint-proxy-configuration on the 32bit ISO.
- Improved i3lock lock-screen, similar to the previous one but with a neater looking clock that can be changed between 12hr and 24hr
- Advert Blocker reinstated by request, available in the main menu not in the Peppermint Settings Panel.
- New “Pepirus” xfwm4 theme similar to the Peppermint 7 xfwm4 theme but the active window has a light grey border instead of blue, and some small colour tweaks. Most users said they preferred the Peppermint 7 window borders to the Peppermint 8 ones, so this is a ‘similar’ but updated theme.
- New “Pepirus” icon theme with red folders, and additional icons.
- New “Pepirus” Gtk theme similar to Peppermix-7-Dark-Red to fit with the new red icon and xfwm4 themes.
- Changed default wallpaper to Peppermint-3D-Logo-Alternative.
- Three additional Ray Bilcliff wallpapers.
- Disabled Gtk overlay scrollbars, so the scrollbars don’t overlay other window content making it difficult to see.
- Repository now contain tweaked versions of screenfetch and neofetch with custom Peppermint logo ASCII art.
- Slightly larger terminal window defaults so neofetch/screenfetch have the room necessary to display properly.
- Started adding non-English translated versions of ICE to the repos .. more languages will be added later as we create them (we’re putting in a lot of effort into having full non-English translations for ALL applications hopefully by Peppermint 9).
- ISO’s now contain all 16.04 updates (to the date of the ISO) .. so the Peppermint 8 respin ISO’s ship with the 4.10.0-40 kernel from the HWE, which will automatically roll onto the 4.13 kernel via the update-manager when the HWE updates upstream (probably around February).
I should probably explain here that some people have suggested the 4.10 kernel series is no longer supported, whilst this may be true for the vanilla kernel please rest assured the Ubuntu 4.10 kernel from the HWE (as used here) is fully supported upstream and will be until you’re automatically rolled onto the 4.13 kernel).
Notes:-
One thing to note is nemo’s new desktop right-click context menu item(s) .. if you right-click the desktop then select “Desktop”, make sure you don’t select both:-
Auto-arrange
and:-
Align to grid
at the same time, or you won’t be able to move any desktop icons .. when both are selected desktop icons are locked in place.
(by default only ‘Align to grid’ is selected)
Other things of note are the default repos now contain these terrific apps from the TeeJee repo:-
- aptik
- conky-manager
- selene
- timeshift
- timeshift-btrfs
So no need to add a PPA.
If you’d like to see more of Ray’s outstanding photgraphy, please visit:
http://www.raybilcliff.com/
or:
http://trueportraits.com/
or his Google+ page (photos):
https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/+raybilcliff
Please also see the Release Notes
As with previous releases we invite you to compare Peppermint to other operating systems, we are confident you will be impressed. To take the Peppermint 8 out for a test drive, please visit our website at peppermintos.com where you can download it for free. If you need help installing the Peppermint 8, or have any questions about using it, we have a second-to-none user support team at forum.peppermintos.com please drop in even if only for a chat with friendly like-minded people .. hope to see you there.
About Peppermint OS
Peppermint OS is a software company, originally based in Asheville, North Carolina but now operating out of Cornwall England. Founded in 2010, we are committed to building the best operating system for both enterprise and consumers available on the widest range of devices. To find out more about us, please visit http://peppermintos.com.
i would love to the destro flourish :)
Thanks very much for the sentiment hamza girard :)
It’s time to torrent.
It sure is my brother Hippie, specially with the hammering the servers are currently getting.
PS. about your email address .. you do realise LDS givvves you dyslexia in later life ;)
Can I upgrade or do I need to download and burn the respin to a usb stick and then install it? And the link to release notes doesn’t work.
At some point we’ll probably post instructions on the forum how to manually upgrade 8 to 8 Respin, but I hope you’ll understand things are a bit manic at the moment and the instructions would need to be heavily tested before we could publish them officially .. thanks for your patience :)
Release notes link is working for me, maybe it was just a one off glitch because the servers are currently being hammered ;)
So if I understand you correctly, there will be a upgrade to 8 respin in the near future, but due to the manic circumstances, it’s delayed? If so than I will wait. I’m a patient man. BTW keep up the good work, I’m really enjoy using the Pep. It’s fast, stable and looks absolutely fantastic. A big compliment to all who are involved for making the Pep.
> “… the Ubuntu 4.10 kernel from the HWE (as used here) is fully supported upstream and will be until you’re automatically rolled onto the 4.13 kernel).”
Still trying to understand this …
Googled quickly did not explain what “HWE” means. Somehow linked to Canonical? Then why not use: “http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/” ??
“Kernel 4.13” is no longer the latest Ubuntu kernel. ATM version 4.14.4, with new “stable” versions every week, with the latest bug releases.
Thanks for the release :)
You’re most welcome Zhain :)
Let’s try it.
I’m a Mint user (by now!)
Hope you like it Manu, and hope to meet you on the forum :)
I’m with English Bob, please make peppermint 9 to automatically upgrade to next version instead of clean install. Is peppermint 8.5 still heavily dependent on the online internet for nearly every app? Also could you put obs into the distro? Thanks for your great work Mark Greaves!
Remember !g brings up internet to google.
Hi Alan, thanks for getting in touch :)
I’m afraid that may not be possible, unlike other distros that stick pretty much with a standard DE we chop and change a lot of components that weren’t meant to work together in the first place, this can introduce issues where config files are left in your home folder that conflict with changes we’ve made in the new version .. now we could possibly script the update to remove these config files, but we NEVER make changes to users home folders because that might not suit everyone, and/or might undo user customisations .. we just don’t see it as our place to mess with user settings.
If it turns out it can be done without changes to users home folders (which will depend on what changes we make in Peppermint 9) then we will do so if possible, but as each Peppermint release is based on an LTS so could be used for years anyway I’m afraid it’s not a priority.
Peppermint has never been dependant on the internet any more than any other distro, sure out of the box it utilises internet applications, but this is because it’s our ethos not to choose user applications for the user instead allowing them to install ONLY the applications THEY choose .. you have always been able to easily install offline/local applications in Peppermint.
Sorry but we cannot do that, it breaks our ethos of not choosing application software for users and by doing so loading everyone’s system with software the majority wouldn’t choose and/or won’t use.
Providing a blank canvas that our users can build into their own system without having to uninstall unwanted software is what Peppermint is all about .. ICE SSB’s have allowed us to include functionality such as Google docs (via Google Drive) without installing software locally, an SSB is very small and easily removed should the user want to install say LibreOffice, but we won’t choose LibreOffice for them because it might not be the office suite they’d choose .. I hope this explains our ethos, and why we can’t/won’t install OBS (or any other user applications) out of the box :)
Mark,
Is there something i am doing wrong when i install? I have two hard drives in my desktop and i am trying to install to the 2nd hard drive which isn’t the drive that first boots the computer. I setup the hard drive, with fresh format, with /boot, /root, swap, and /home logical partitions through the Peppermint installer and when asked to restart for final startup the computer boots into a black screen with a blinking “underline” cursor, in the upper left portion of the screen, as it doesn’t see grub to boot into the peppermint os. I have tried it twice and same results. First i selected update with installation and codecs listed below installing pre updates as stated.
If i try to install it beside a windows OS, it says it will create swap and root for the peppermint OS. If this is so, where is it getting the space from on the drive? I am puzzled as i have installed many different OS’s and this is giving a little problem. I love your OS and would like to use it. If i use peppermint 8 OS first release, will the updates go through to make the current 11202017 release? Thanks!
I tried installing Peppermint besides other non-Linux OS and it booted to the same thing. Of course it boots fine from the live usb i am using to install it with. I haven’t had this issue with Fedora, Ubuntu, Puppy, Manjaro, Deepin, or many others. It is just puzzling as i downloaded distro on a fast connection.
Love Love Love! Thank you so much for all your hard work, just loaded it as Dual boot with the dreaded Windows 10, fall creators update which had trashed my Linux Mint updates & then messed with grub on my Mint Xfce 18.3 ‘Sylvia’ dual-boot. So happy with Peppermint handling the Win Creator boot issue, and allowing my Peppermint to update seamlessly.
You’re most welcome JM DuVall great to hear you’re enjoying Peppermint, thanks for taking the time to let us know .. much appreciated :)
I freaking love Peppermint, both the candy and the operating system. Great work guys/gals! Please never stop developing this amazing little OS.
Thanks very much tuxforbreaky, we’re in it for the long haul so no worries :)
Um, why did you switch default web browser back to Chromium again, instead of Firefox Quantum?
Hi Willow, As this is a respin of Peppermint 8 we didn’t ‘switch’ back to Chromium because Peppermint 8 originally shipped with Chromium as the default .. Quantun wasn’t out when Peppermint 8 was originally released.
We are considering swapping back to Firefox again for Peppermint 9 though, because recent versions of Chrome/Chromium have removed the “Always allow” option for flash content breaking the ability for users to create ICE SSB’s for sites that rely on flash content.
In the mean time you’re fully able to install Firefox and removing Chromium in Peppermint
HTH :)
i rely on google services, like gmail, docs, photos….so i personally prefer chromium.
I am not sure which other distro has default chrome….where can i find this info?
Thank you in advance
Daniel
As far as I’m aware no distro should ship with Google Chrome preinstalled by default, if they do they’re likely leaving themselves open to a lawsuit. Google don’t allow the use of Chrome without the user first having to agree to an end user license agreement prior to installation (which is why it can only be downloaded from the Google website after agreeing to the EULA) .. they have to do this because they don’t own the intellectual property rights to all of the included proprietary code, it includes IP owned by third parties such as Adobe (amongst others). Chromium on the other hand is open source and doesn’t contain this third party software so can be distributed freely.
Beautiful, practical, fast. I have a little problem, though. When I double-click (or right-click and Open) on a “notepad” like text file, nothing happens. I have to right-click on file, Open with… Other application and OK to launch the Text Editor (default app for such files, which is otherwise very appropiate). Any solution to fix this?
Hi Hother Chillian, try this .. Next time you select “Text Editor” in “Open With”, click the “Set as default” button at the bottom before clicking the “OK” button.
Oh, it is the default one. Even changed the default app and then changed back to Text Editor, to be sure it is correctly registered. But no effect. Maybe you can check this yourself and include a fix in a future update.
And, talking about the future, a script that could upgrade the system after each new release would be really great. As I’m sure you know, some Ubuntu-based distros developers are already doing this.
Thanks.
Text files are associated perfectly (with xed, the default text editor) on all our test systems, did you keep a home folder from a previous install ?
Maybe you could raise this issue on our support forum where we’ll be happy to help you get to the bottom of it :)
https://forum.peppermintos.com
Excellent piece of kit.
I dual installed Peppermint 8 alongside Windows. The Windows partition is becoming lonely… :)
Now my Pentium 4, 4 Gb ram, flies like a rocket.
Cheers.
Thanks very much for getting in touch and the kind words Avon, great to hear Peppermint has livened up your PC :)
No, it was a fresh install. Sorry, I didn’t intend to transform this place in a bug report forum, just thought it is something quick and simple to solve.
I’ll do soon a new install on another computer and we’ll see after that if the problem persist.
Thank you and don’t stop doing what you’re doing so well.
I went through a long experimental journey two years ago when coming into what I refer to as “Linux Home” (Distinguishing PC Linux from the marvel which powers the internet),attempting to find one which fills need, feels like it belongs on my pc, represents my personal values/ character/etc, is fun/easy to use, and is buildable as I grow in knowledge. Well over twenty distros, in so many varying DEs. I was first in lust with Pepper back @ 6.2, but treated my search for “MY” Linux-Home as I would date; one awesome night doth not a life-tale make. I dated many, but none exclusively. I even tried each on varying platforms, from a bad azz i7 with 32gb ram, usb 3.1, etc, to a macbook air I dubbed my “Peppermac”, as well as chromebooks and this old travelmate I’m typing this from. I’m matured from my lust-puppy state; I’m declaring devotion towards Peppermint. I’ve upgraded this old travelmate to hyperx 960gb drive n 8gb high-speed hyperx ram, and carried Peppermint ‘cross the threshold from usb-installer to her Home on that sweet 500 plus dollar ssd. Thanks to everyone who struggled and labored in love to build and improve this OS.
Thanks very much for the kind words and sentiments Kashlessklay, great feedback :)
oh…can I upgrade to the newer version of 8, or have to reinstaal that iso?
There are instructions for manually upgrading the original Peppermint 8 to the Peppermint 8 Respin on our support forum here:
https://forum.peppermintos.com/index.php/topic,6320.0.html
HTH :)
I was first made aware of the fantastic Peppermint OS while searching YouTube for a Light weight Linux distro to run on an 11 inch Dell laptop. I was very intrigued by Peppermint and decided to give it a try. I am so glad I did. The work and skill that the developers have put into this project is very impressive. I love this OS! I will be making a donation shortly to support the developers.
Hi John, we’re glad you found us too, why not join in at the forum where we have a very friendly community of like minded people .. hope to see you there :)
https://forum.peppermintos.com
Peppermint OS is truly wonderful. Lightweight, easy to install and use, stable, and nice on eyes. Installed it on a 32bit netbook that used to run WinXP, works perfectly and also in Japanese.
Great to hear you’re enjoying it Jaro, thanks for the feedback :)
would be great if i can get android emulator on it.
Hi arwin, there are Android emulators for Linux such as Genymotion, Andro VM, and Googles own official Android SDK which contains an emulator.
Excellent distro. Had an old Pep 7. Like this even better. Good luck and keep up the great work.
Thanks very much Randy, your feedback and kind words are much appreciated by the team :)
Im a horrible Windows user however I have tweaked with Linux for years to NO AVAIL> Almost every distro I stumble across gives me issues, on my test rig, Mint wont install, Ubuntu had choppy video playback and on and on and on. So far the ONLY distro I am sorta kinda happy w is Peppermint :)
Hi Stephen, Always good to hear from Windows users .. if you have any suggestions for improvement please join our forum and let us know, and maybe we can improve on “sorta kinda” ;)
https://forum.peppermintos.com
was never a fan of the icon set but this is an awesome distro regardless, personally id of went with faenza black. EB swears by it hahah. keep up the good work :)
Hi ray, Any theming is always subjective and will never please everyone, some love them, some hate them. You wouldn’t believe the in team arguments we have over default themes and wallpapers, Luckily they’re easily changed.
Thanks for the words of encouragement, and great to hear you’re enjoying Peppermint :)
Excellent distribution and it runs fine on old low-end PCs. However, I need to point out that it is often very hard to install multifunction HP printers. It would be nice if a printer auto-detect function was available, as it is the case with Ubuntu 17.10. While installing and setting up HPLIP, Peppermint is not included in the list for automatic configuration and user password is not accepted, so installation fails. That is a major drawback for us.
Hi britgeek, hplip and its GUI frontend are available in the default repos .. just open a terminal andrun:
sudo apt-get install hplip-gui
We don’t install it out of the box because doing so would lumber everyone with it, even those that don’t have an HP printer ;)
Thanks for replying. I know that it is available in the default repos but once I run it, there are a lot of missing dependencies, which it fails to install. When we run hplip setup it asks which distro we are using, claiming that Mint is the closest. However, in our case, it fails to install, and as some other users have also reported, hplip does not accept admin password to install the required plugins for AIO HP printers. Maybe Peppermint could be added as a choice in HPLIP setup options, as it is the case with Mint, Ubuntu. That would make things a lot easier and convenient. Or, if that is not possible, maybe the feature of automatic detection of printers could be added, as it saves a lot of effort and time, especially in professional or educational institutions that use Linux. This feature is available in Ubuntu 17.10.