The current stable version of the Linux Mint operating system is Linux Mint 8 “Helena”, which is based on Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic koala. The next Linux Mint release will be Linux Mint 9, obviously. Early into 2010 Lead Linux Mint Developer Clem Lefebvre announced that Linux Mint 9 will be codenamed Isadora, word of Greco-Latin origin that means “gift of Isis.”

Linux Mint 6 was Felicia, Linux Mint 7 was Gloria, Linux Mint 8 is Helena, and Linux Mint 9 will be Isadora. The only other thing we knew about Isadora was that it would be based on Ubuntu 10.04 Lucid Lynx. And that’s pretty much it. Until now that is. Clem Lefebvre has released a tease preview of what Isadora will have to offer.

Here’s the lowdown:

Linux Mint 9 System Changes

• - USB-Creator to be added to the default software selection.
• - apturl to be added to the system.
• - A new fortune database to be added in memory of Mats Geier a.k.a Husse. When you open a terminal, the random messages that show up will feature one of Husse’s best quotes.
• - Three new commands for apt: “apt hold <package>”, “apt unhold <package>” and “apt held”.

Linux Mint 9 Menu Changes

• -Edit items directly from the menu by right clicking on them and selecting “Edit Properties”.
• - Change the menu’s transparency, if your graphics card allows it.
• - Two new context menu items that let you add shortcuts to the panel or to the desktop.
• - “Always start with the favorites” option.

Linux Mint 9 Update Manager Changes

• - Brown lock icons to be replaced with white shields.
• - An error icon will appear only when something actually goes wrong, like when software sources are malformed, not when your internet connection is down.

Linux Mint 9 Software Manager Changes

• - Completely rewritten Software Manager and mintInstall. “It features the best ideas from the original mintinstall, Gnome App-Install and the new Ubuntu Software Center. It’s also much more efficient than the previous version, handling 30,000+ packages and asynchronous installation/removal of applications in less than 1,000 lines of code,” explained Lefebvre.
• - Features all the packages available on the user’s system, some 30,000 compared to the current version of mintInstall, which offers some 300 packages.
• - Uses and monitors the APT daemon, so clicking “Install” means the action is queued and processed in the background. You can cancel actions, see on-going actions, view action progress.
• - Completely asynchronous and independent from APT. The actions you selected will run in the background even if you close the Software Manager.
• - Modified user interface.

Linux Mint 9 Potential Changes (should be implemented if everything goes according to plan)

• - Review applications directly from the Software Manager.
• - Better and fewer suggestions in the Menu.
• - Improved layout in the Menu.
• - New artwork.
• - New modules in the community website.

Linux Mint 9 codename Isadora is scheduled to be released this May.