First, from a security standpoint I'd go into Mint update>preferences and enable level 4 and 5 updates. By default mint doesn't update the kernel so enabling those 4 & 5 level updates will give you more security. I'd also install a GUI for the firewall. Linux Mint is a great distro, enjoy
Edit to add: Mint already comes with an extensive set of programs.
Mint updater has L4/5 disabled by default. Also i already have installed the GUI of the firewall and turned it on as the FW is disabled by default.
On top of that i have installed all latest updates, so to reply to house maniś question: I am using the latest
Release:Linux Mint 16 "petra"
Edition: Cinnamon 32-bit.
That said even tho Mint comes with a VERY impressive set of applications, i was looking for additional packages just to beef up its potential.
But as i wrote earlier i was going to test Mint for some time and i can draw ONE massive conclusion:
Even tho windows 7 seems to be more packed with features, Mint is 5 times faster, Way less resource hogging and incredible comprehensive.
Also the quality of individual programs can match ANY windows program, and for those remembering the days where you have to install patches and such manual, Mint comes with a fully working installer that works outside the command line for those who do not have Linux fingers.
And if you are a Linux master then the commandline comes with additional features where you can play around all you want.
Its video and audio processing is in one word: Amazing.
Also my i note that: My wireless internet connection gone up to over 70% in terms of speed and has gone up in terms of stability.
So far i would not say that Mint is better then windows 7, however so far Mint is beating Win 7 left en right while running circles around it.
The days where you did have to manually install everything in linux are DEFFO over.
Mint seems so easy that even my 4 months old son could install it.
On top of that for those who are using windows software you can just emulate it, at a cost of a fraction of the speed.
But it does work and does work well. (Same goes for games)
So far i am DEEPLY impressed.
And that is saying a LOT given the fact i am a CENT OS fan and a windows guru.
If Mint remains as good as it seem to be at the present moment, then it would be not unthinkable that i will say good bye to windows.
Because so far i have not found anything that windows 7 does better (Other then conflicting, getting infected, and slurping resources.) Which btw does not mean that Linux cannot get infected as it CAN. Obviously the bulk of all malware has been written with Windows in mind but make no mistakes those rootkits, trojans and other types of malware for Linux are equally nasty and in most cases even more destructive, because generally its much harder to penetrate Linux, which means that ones it does get infected that a virus can do a bit more real damage.
However the odds that you will get malware is virtually nil because a virus first need to get your password and you need to install the virus yourself explicitly.
So mainly you need a AV for your email to protect those sorry windows users as your Linux install can still bounce windows malware. That said there are malware that can infect and exploit Linux but getting infected by those really does require your stupidity, because beyond that point you have to realize that everyone does tweak their Linux to a point where you can be pretty sure that your config is pretty unique and therefore highly unlikely that a virus will be able to surprise you.
So yes Linux is so much more malware resistant then windows ever will become.
Another thing i would like to mention is that there are people out there, who have claimed that Linux cannot do the same, and cannot be as productive/ versatile as windows.
Well news flash: It can, It does and more importantly it does it a hell of a lot better.
btw did anyone mention drivers? guess what they are packed in Linux mint and working GREAT, out of the box.
Cheers