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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Should I upgrade to Mint 21 Vanessa? (self.linux)

submitted 1 day ago* (last edited 23 hours ago) by Dop to c/[email protected]

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Hi, I've been running linux mint for a couple years now, but I'm still a complete noob, every time I need to install an app or I need to go through a bunch of tutorial. Always found a way through though. Anyway, I'm currently running Mint 20.3 Una, and the System Reports suggest I upgrade to Mint 21 Vanessa. I would like to do so, but I have a couple questions for you: 1/ My USB ports don't work, so I can't make a backup of my system this way (and don't feel comfortable hosting a backup on the cloud since I'm currently using Proton and still have to move to another service). So I'm wondering if an upgrade is safe because I can't do a fresh install right now? 2/ Related to the first question: I'm using a old laptop (asus zenbook from 2015 or 2016, can't remember), so would I be find with an old hardware such as mine?

Cheers

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[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 day ago (1 children)

It's possible for an upgrade to break things and leave your system in an unusable state or cause your data to be lost.

However, that could happen at any time with no warning. Your hard drive could break, your charger could cause a short, your laptop could get stolen. If you have any files you don't want to lose, I'd strongly recommend you set up a backup asap.

In terms of whether to actually upgrade, Mint 20.3 stops receiving security updates in April so you should probably upgrade to 21 sometime before then.

[–] Dop 3 points 23 hours ago

Thank you for your reply, the end of security updates is one of my main concerns indeed