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Linux-DesktopEnv: MATE Desktop Environment

 

Mate Desktop Environment (https://www.opensourcefeed.org)

The MATE Desktop Environment is the continuation of GNOME 2. It provides an intuitive and attractive desktop environment using traditional metaphors for Linux and other Unix-like operating systems. MATE is under active development to add support for new technologies while preserving a traditional desktop experience.

— https://mate-desktop.org/

MATE fully supports the GTK 3 application framework. The project is supported by Ubuntu MATE lead developer Martin Wimpress and by the Linux Mint development team:

    We consider MATE yet another desktop, just like KDE, Gnome 3, Xfce etc... and based on the popularity of Gnome 2 in previous releases of Linux Mint, we are dedicated to support it and to help it improve. The most popular Linux desktop was, and arguably is, Gnome 2.

    Since I have previously used Gnome desktop environment with Redhat or Mandrake Linux and my impression was it is simple desktop but functional. I personally don't like to use Gnome desktop but I do use some of its apps. 

    Previously I tried to use MATE desktop on Sparky Linux unstable release and had some problems with it. It sometimes auto-logout on its own and I had to login back in. I cannot remember other issues that made me give up on MATE desktop in search of a better lightweight desktop. However, that changed when I used Linux Mint 20.3 MATE on my ASUS X556UB. It is more stable and so far I have no issues with Linux Mint 20.3 Mate on my problematic Asus laptop (have ghost touch on the keyboard). 

My Linux Mint 20.3 MATE Desktop with Mint-Y-Dark-Aque theme 

Htop running on a freshly installed Linux Mint 20.3 MATE

    The fresh install takes about 474MB RAM. Still less than 500MB. Compared to MATE desktop with Q4OS using 392MB, Linux Mint used up 82MB RAM more. However, I would feel that after using Linux Mint, I would choose to use Linux Mint compared to Q4OS for more stability and support, unless you have limited RAM on your computer.

    Mate desktop Component applications you can consider using:

  • Atril - PDF viewer
  • Caja - File Manager
  • Engrampa - File Archiver
  • EoM - Image Viewer
  • EoM - Image Viewer
  • MATE Control Center
  • MATE System Monitor
  • MATE Terminal
  • Mozo - Menu Editor
  • Pluma - Text Editor

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