Articles by Tux

Linux Manjaro vs Linux Mint (comparison)

What is Linux Manjaro?

Linux Manjaro is a free and open-source (GNU license) Linux distro based on Arch Linux. It is well-suited for developers, for home use or office. What distinguishes it from other Linux distros is that it offers full control over the hardware and software and very good performance. The desktop environments available are KDE Plasma, XFCE, and GNOME. You can customize the desktop environment with widgets and themes.

What is Linux Mint?

Linux Mint is one of the most popular Linux distribution. Its main version (currently 20.1 Ulyssa) is based on Ubuntu Focal long term support (LTS), that offers support until April 2025, but there is also version 19.3 based on Ubuntu Bionic with support until April 2023, and Debbie based on Debian Buster LTS.

Apart from the long-term support, Linux Mint offers a great user experience with very eye-pleasant desktop environments (Cinnamon, MATE, Xfce) for desktop and laptop computers and GNU license ideal for companies, governmental institutions, and personal use.

Its built-in applications for media playback, office work, and photo editing, plus out-of-the-box media codex, make it really easy for beginner Linux users.

Linux Manjaro vs Linux Mint comparison table

Parameter for comparisonLinux ManjaroLinux Mint
Based onArch Linux.The main version based on the latest Ubuntu version (Ubuntu Focal) and a Debian version called Linux Mint Debie based on Debian Buster LTS.
For who it is?Although regular users can use it, there is a bigger risk a regular user can change something on the system level. It is more targeted to Linux users with experience.For begiнner users who need a reliable OS that is free and easy to use. It works well for advanced users who are benefited from the fact Linux Mint is based on Ubuntu.
Platformx86-64. Unofficial i686 and ARM versions.x86-64, arm64
Release cycleRolling release.A completely new version is released every 2 years and follows the pattern of Ubuntu.
Desktop EnvironmentsKDE Plasma, GNOME, and XFCECinnamon, MATE, XFCE
Init-SystemSystemdSystemd
Package ManagerGUI package manager, Pacman. It can work with all Arch Linux packages, and there is a way to install packages for Ubuntu or Debian.Software Manager, Debian Package Manager, Synaptic package manager
Installation processVery easy installation process. There is a graphic interface for it, similar to any other Ubuntu-based distro.Very easy installation process. There is a graphic interface for it, similar to any other Ubuntu-based distro. Even without any Linux experience, you will be able to install it.
SupportCommunity support.Community Support.
Current Linux Kernel5.11.8 (20.03.21) Linux Manjaro uses the latest kernel, which might be a plus if you prefer the newest.5.4/5.8 (edge edition) Linux Mint goes for stability, and it is usually some versions behind.
RequirementsRecommended: 1 GB RAM. 30 GB storage space. 1 Ghz 64-bit processor. A HD graphics card and monitor. A broadband internet connection.Minimum:
1 GB RAM (2 GB recommended). 15 GB of storage space (20 GB recommended). Screen of 1024×768 resolution. Either a disk (CD/DVD drive) or a USB port for the installation. 64-bit processor, starting from version 20.
Hardware supportVery good hardware support. It can work on older devices too.Good hardware support. Some drivers you must down.
ProsEasy kernel switching. Good amount of packages available. Big community. Latest software is available. Free to use.A good amount of packages available. Big community. Stable distro. LTS versions. Free to use. Good functionality out-of-the-box.
ConsMany and often updates because of its rolling nature. Less stable distro.Slower updates than other distros. Older packages.

Conclusion

Linux Mint and Linux Manjaro are both interesting and suitable for various needs. Which one to choose? They have both great features, nice interfaces, and large forums for help, so they are almost equal.

Why don’t you use the Live Version of both of them, put them on flash drives, and give them a spin. Only by trying both of them can you see how they behave on your device and if they are suitable for your needs.

What is Traceroute command?

Traceroute command explained

Traceroute is a built-in command with a command-line interface that you can use through the Terminal application. It serves as a diagnostic tool most commonly used to trace a route from the computer, sending the traceroute request to a hostname or IP address. It will send the query and get back a result, showing the query’s route and statistics about time and packets lost. 

You can find Traceroute on Linux (almost all distros), macOS, Windows (there it is called tracert), and even Android (though you will need extra installation). 

The software’s benefits are that it is free, easy to use, and serves well its purpose of tracing the route to a target.  

How does traceroute work?

When you are using the traceroute, your device will send packets of data starting from your IP address, going through various hops, and reaching its target – hostname or IP address. The software will use packets with a short TTL (time to live) value and listen for the ICMP replays. The probes continue until a message “port unreachable (ICMP) or rest (TCP), which will indicate host. 

As a result, you will see TTLs, addresses of the hops, and round time per probe, and extra data if you used some of the options.   

If you need more detailed information about the Traceroute command we recommend you this article – Traceroute command and its options

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What is the Linux Dig command?

Get ready to learn about a built-in utility tool that you can find on most Linux distros and use for domain probing. The tool is called Dig.

What is the Dig command?

Dig command is a built-in Linux command that you can access through the Terminal application and perform DNS queries. The full name is Domain Information Groper. You can troubleshoot your domain, get all kinds of information about it, including DNS records, name servers, and general network data. What is awesome about it is that it has more functionality than some other built-in tools like nslookup, and it is very easy to use. This is why many network administrators are using it daily, despite its basic command-line interface. 

If you are interested in Dig commands we recommend you to look at this article – 10 most used Dig commands!

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Linux host command explained

What is the Linux host command?

The Linux Host command is utility software for DNS probing that you get pre-installed on most Linux distros like – Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Red Hat, CentOS, Arch Linux, and more.

Linux Host command can show you different information for the host, its IP addresses, DNS records, and check name servers.

It does not have a graphical interface, but its CLI is enough to display all the information needed. It is a very light and fast tool that can show you information about DNS records like A, AAAA, MX, NS, SOA, and more. You could have already guessed. It can show you information about the host like its IP addresses and more.

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How to use the MTR command?

How to use the MTR command on Linux?

It is very easy to use the MTR command through the Terminal on your Linux computer. Just follow these 3 steps:

  1. First, you need to be an administrator. That means to have a Linux account with sudo privileges.
  2. Second, you will need to install it. The MTR command is not pre-installed like other popular commands. The package name is “mtr”. For that purpose, you will need to execute one of the following commands, depending on your Linux distro:

Ubuntu, Debian, Linux Mint, and others based on Ubuntu or Debian:

sudo apt-get install mtr

Red Hat, CentOS, and Fedora:

sudo yum install mtr

Arch Linux, Manjaro Linux, and other Arch-based:

pacman -Sy pacman -S mtr

  1. Third, use the basic MTR command or combine it with some of the options that you have for it. See the complete list of options below. 

Basic MTR command: 

mtr domain.com 

*Change the domain name with the one you want. 

Suggested article: What is Traceroute command?

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Linux commands – (Cheat Sheet)

You can do a lot using just commands on Linux. Through the Terminal, you can type the command that you want and perfume many actions and diagnostics. Depending on the distro you are using, you will have a different shell pre-installed (bash, dash, etc.). They can have small differences, but for the majority of command, they will work the same.
You can also change the shell if you like. Here you can see a Linux commands cheat sheet with the main commands and what they do. 

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Why should we use Linux? (6 reasons)

The presence of Linux has expanded a lot. From servers up to desktops. Linux has gotten a bigger user market that includes not just web developers or programmers but also regular users. Maybe you wonder the reasons.

Well, if you are looking for an operating system or just don’t know yet so much about it, here you have 6 reasons to choose Linux. 

Linux is free

Linux is really accessible to everybody. It’s not needed to pay for it and its updates. From the basic software for regular users to the advanced one for business, the policy is the same, free!

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Linux VS Unix (Differences)

Linux vs Unix is not the same thing. Linux is a kernel, a core of an operating system that needs a package to be complete. There are plenty of Linux distros that, together with additional elements, make Linux an entire OS. On the other hand, you have Unix, an older and complete OS that has changed significantly over time. Now there are billions of devices with a version of Linux (computers, Android smartphones, embedded devices, etc.) and billions of gadgets with Unix (Mac computers, iPads, servers and more). 

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