Selasa, 05 November 2024

I Ran the Famed SmolLM on Raspberry Pi

I Ran the Famed SmolLM on Raspberry Pi

As artificial intelligence continues to weave into our daily lives, there’s a noticeable shift towards smaller, more efficient language models that can run locally on devices.

SmolLM, part of a growing trend in compact language models, is a prime example, showing that we can bring AI closer to users without relying on heavy cloud-based infrastructure.

This article dives into the SmolLM experience on a Raspberry Pi using the 1.7B parameter model, exploring both its capabilities and how it holds up on limited hardware.

What is SmolLM?

SmolLM is a series of small, efficient language models designed for running on local devices without compromising too much on performance.

By leveraging optimized training datasets, including a mix of synthetic and educational content, SmolLM achieves a strong balance between power and efficiency.

It comes in three sizes: 135M, 360M, and 1.7B parameters, with the latter providing the most depth in handling complex tasks.

At the core of SmolLM’s effectiveness is the SmolLM-Corpus, a carefully curated collection of datasets that enhance the model's understanding across various domains.

Key components of the corpus include:

  • Cosmopedia v2: This dataset encompasses 28 billion tokens of synthetic textbooks and stories, providing a rich foundation of knowledge that enhances the model's ability to generate informative and contextually relevant responses.
  • Python-Edu: Comprising 4 billion tokens, this dataset focuses on educational Python code samples. It equips SmolLM with a solid grasp of programming concepts, making it an ideal choice for applications in coding and technical education.
  • FineWeb-Edu: This deduplicated dataset includes 220 billion tokens of educational web content, ensuring that the model has access to diverse and high-quality information, which is crucial for reasoning and inference tasks.

These components make SmolLM perform well on benchmarks focused on common sense and technical reasoning, all while maintaining a relatively compact model size.

I Ran the Famed SmolLM on Raspberry Pi
Evaluation of SmolLM models on different reasoning and common knowledge benchmarks | Image Credit: Hugging Face

Testing SmolLM on Raspberry Pi

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If you’re new to Ollama, check out how to run LLMs locally on Raspberry Pi using Ollama. Once you have Ollama installed, you can use the instructions I used here.

To run SmolLM on a Raspberry Pi 5, I used Ollama in --verbose mode. This mode provides more insight into how SmolLM is processing tasks, which can be helpful in understanding model efficiency on the Pi’s hardware.

Below, you’ll find a video where I put SmolLM with 1.7B parameters to the test with the question:

"Explain the differences between a virtual machine and a Docker container in five sentences or less."

I was impressed by SmolLM's response speed and accuracy in answering the question. For a model of its size running on a Raspberry Pi, the response time was quite reasonable.

Here's the Verbose output:

total duration:       54.84240188s
load duration:        13.697837ms
prompt eval count:    28 token(s)
prompt eval duration: 2.387581s
prompt eval rate:     11.73 tokens/s
eval count:           393 token(s)
eval duration:        52.398543s
eval rate:            7.50 tokens/s

The output data provide a clear look at the model's speed and resource requirements. Here’s a breakdown of how it performed:

  • Total Duration: The full operation took around 54.84 seconds, meaning that from start to finish, it consumed nearly a minute. This includes loading, evaluating prompts, and processing the model’s output.
  • Load Duration: The model loaded almost instantly, taking only 13.70 milliseconds, demonstrating efficient initialization on Ollama.
  • Prompt Evaluation: The initial prompt, consisting of 28 tokens, evaluated in 2.39 seconds, translating to a rate of approximately 11.73 tokens per second. This speed might be slightly restrictive for complex, multi-part prompts but is serviceable for shorter prompts.
  • Model Evaluation: With 393 tokens processed in 52.40 seconds, the evaluation rate averaged 7.50 tokens per second. While not the fastest, this rate suggests that smolLM performs well for concise text generation, though it might lag for longer, more intensive tasks.

And where can we use SmolLM?

Small language models like SmolLM are designed to operate efficiently on modest hardware without relying on cloud-based services.

Their compact nature makes them well-suited for various applications, particularly in scenarios where local processing is crucial.

Here are some specific use cases highlighting the advantages of these models:

Mobile Applications

Small language models can enhance mobile devices by integrating directly into applications, reducing reliance on cloud services.

For instance, Apple Intelligence and Samsung's Galaxy AI utilize efficient AI to deliver quick responses to user queries while conserving battery life.

This allows for seamless interactions without the latency associated with cloud processing, making everyday tasks more efficient.

Local Customer Support

In customer service environments, small language models can power chatbots that run locally on devices.

This setup allows for quick, contextually relevant responses without the need for internet connectivity, ensuring continuous support even in offline scenarios.

Businesses benefit from enhanced user experiences and reduced operational costs by deploying effective, local AI solutions.

Educational Tools

SmolLM can be integrated into educational applications to generate customized learning materials directly on user devices.

This local processing capability ensures that sensitive data remains private and under the user's control, making it an appealing choice for educational institutions and learners who prioritize data security.

Code Assistance and Automation

Developers can utilize small language models for code generation and debugging tasks on their local machines.

By providing real-time suggestions and error identification without needing cloud connectivity, these models enhance productivity and streamline workflows, even on less powerful hardware.

Research and Prototyping

For AI researchers, small language models facilitate faster experimentation and prototyping.

Running locally allows researchers to iterate quickly without incurring the costs and limitations associated with cloud-based solutions. This flexibility fosters innovation and accelerates the development of new AI applications.

By leveraging their local processing capabilities, small language models like SmolLM and Phi provide a range of applications that empower users while minimizing reliance on external services.

Their ability to operate effectively on modest hardware makes them versatile tools across various domains, from mobile apps to customer support and educational platforms, ensuring that AI technology remains accessible and efficient.

Conclusion

SmolLM represents a transformative approach to AI, proving that smaller models can achieve remarkable results without the hefty resource demands of their larger counterparts.

By running SmolLM on a Raspberry Pi, we saw firsthand its impressive speed and accuracy, underscoring its potential for various applications.

As the industry shifts towards local deployment of AI technologies, the advantages of models like SmolLM will continue to grow.

This evolution not only enhances performance but also fosters a more privacy-conscious environment for users.

I believe that embracing such innovative models will pave the way for a new era of accessible and efficient AI solutions.



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Minggu, 03 November 2024

9 Things I Do to Improve My Linux Computer's Security

9 Things I Do to Improve My Linux Computer's Security

Whether in real life or on the internet, security, and privacy are a concern for everyone.

The urban legend is that Linux as an operating system is a more secure choice than its alternatives. But that does not mean it is not vulnerable.

Hackers can find their way to exploit Linux systems as well. But it is not all bad, as there are many ways to make your system more secure than it already is.

So, I set out to find out some of the most effective, and easy options that I can enable on my Linux system to protect my data (and you can too!).

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What I share here is my opinion and comes from my experience. It's not that if you don't do all the mentioned points here, your system will be compromised immediately. A few points will be easy to implement, while some may not be practical for you. See what you advise you can employ easily.

Another thing. What I share here is for the desktop Linux end users. Some point may be applicable to servers. If you are interested in actual security aspect of Linux, there is an instructor-led training from Linux Foundation (partner link). It costs a lot and is intended for people working on kernel development etc.

Security and the Linux Kernel (LFD441) | Linux Foundation Education
Learn about the Linux kernel security model and the mechanisms used to secure the operating system in this instructor-led course.
9 Things I Do to Improve My Linux Computer's Security

1. Encrypting the disk

A solid method to protect your data is through Full-Disk Encryption (FDE). The data encryption helps safeguard your information if someone gets physical access to your computer or it gets lost or stolen.

It provides full-proof protection for systems used in public or office settings. As good as FDE is, it is only possible to do it at the time of installation 😔

So, if you do not have it enabled, you need to back up your data, re-install the OS, and enable disk encryption during the setup process. It only takes a single click, and setting a passphrase. However, reinstalling is not a practical option for everyone.

Perhaps if you are doing a fresh install of Linux, you could consider encrypting the disk. Ubuntu and some other distributions provide this option in the installer.

9 Things I Do to Improve My Linux Computer's Security

I did this while installing Ubuntu 24.04 and I feel more secure. Although, I have to enter two passwords while starting the system, one for decrypting the drive and the other one regular account.

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Encryption also has its downside. You'll have to enter one extra password when the system boots. And if you forget this disk encryption password, you cannot reset it like your regular account's password. Formatting the system with a fresh OS install is the only option while the existing data is lost.

2. Updating the system regularly

9 Things I Do to Improve My Linux Computer's Security

Linux is already very secure right out of the box, but it does not come without flaws. Bugs exist in every software, and Linux is no exception.

To make sure you are equipped with the latest security patches, it is necessary to keep your system updated regularly. A good habit is to set your system up so that it automatically applies all critical security updates.

Or, make a habit to manually check for updates, and apply them. I prefer the old-fashioned way of heading into the software updates, and downloading the sweet patches available.

Most Linux distributions, including Linux Mint, elementary OS, now support automatic updates in the latest releases. You just need to enable them.

It is also effortless to update and install patches on Linux, through package manager and some simple commands. You can take a look at one of our tutorials on Ubuntu update for reference:

How to Update Ubuntu Linux [Beginner’s Guide]
This tutorial shows you how to update Ubuntu for both the server and desktop versions of Ubuntu. It also explains the difference between “update” and “upgrade,” along with a few other things you should know about updates in Ubuntu Linux.
9 Things I Do to Improve My Linux Computer's Security
📋
This is a must for everyone. Keep your system updated.

3. Checking logs and monitoring network

9 Things I Do to Improve My Linux Computer's Security

It is intriguing for me to monitor the network or check system logs. While I may not be an expert, it is a useful thing to do if you do it the right way.

There are various command-line utilities to monitor and check logs of your system. We have a list of system monitoring tools that you can get started with. You can also analyze the log files in your Linux system using a couple of commands.

Of course, if the built-in options are insufficient for you. You can try a GUI program like Portmaster to manage and monitor network connections.

Portmaster: A GlassWire Alternative for Linux to Monitor & Secure Network Connections
Portmaster is a fantastic open-source network firewall app with many abilities to enhance your privacy.
9 Things I Do to Improve My Linux Computer's Security
📋
This may not be an activity everyone would like to do and you are likely not going to find anything usually. But reading logs itself is a skill and it helps in troubleshooting the system when there is an issue.

4. Installing software only from trusted sources

9 Things I Do to Improve My Linux Computer's Security

One of the easiest and most effective ways of safeguarding your device is through smart software management.

Installing applications only from trusted sources (and only the ones useful to you) helps you reduce the risk of malware making its way into your system.

Only downloading from official and verified sources such as Flathub, Snapcraft, and software's official GitHub page is a sure-shot way to know that whatever you are downloading is the real deal. I prefer sticking to the Ubuntu App Center for the moment.

Some of those platforms also mark applications that are "Verified". So, you can opt for those if you would rather not trust the other ones.

When you do not know about a software, getting help from Linux's massive community is also a good way to verify whether an application is safe or not.

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As a rule of thumb, I prefer installing from the software center/official repository or from the software developer's project itself (if it is not in the distribution's repository).

5. Using encrypted DNS

You can enhance the security of your network by adding a layer of privacy. The more private you keep your internet experience, the less data attackers get about you.

If you are using a public, untrusted network or if you are not sure of your service provider, then it is always safe to use an encrypted DNS. While it is not a replacement for a VPN, it is an easy way to protect your DNS queries from ISPs or anyone monitoring your network.

9 Things I Do to Improve My Linux Computer's Security

NextDNS, and Quad9 are some of the DNS services you can try for this. I like NextDNS's offering because it suits all kinds of requirements on a budget. I can also integrate it with Portmaster if I like.

You can learn more about enhancing privacy on your system in one of our other articles:

11 Ways to Improve Your Privacy in Online World
Bring your A game to improve your privacy online, whether you are a Linux user or not. Follow these tips for a secure experience!
9 Things I Do to Improve My Linux Computer's Security
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DNS are a tricky thing. If some websites start to get inaccessible, you may want to switch back to the older DNS.

6. Disabling root login

The root user has total access to perform system-wide changes. So, if an unauthorized user gets the root user credentials or accidentally enters the root user mode, it can be damaging to your personal computer and in an organization as well.

Disabling the 'Root' login feature is vital if you want to stay extra safe from potential hackers. The Linux distribution you are using will determine how to disable the root account.

The ArchWiki tells you about what you have to do on Arch Linux. Similarly, you can find documentations for other distros.

Not to forget, you always have sudo to elevate your user's privileges to root using this.

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Most desktop distributions already have root login disabled.

7. Using a firewall

A firewall is an indispensable network security method, not just for Linux, but for any device that connects to the internet.

A firewall works simply by monitoring and regulating incoming and outgoing network traffic. Many distros come with a built-in firewall that you can configure to add rules to allow/block certain IP ranges to prevent unauthorized attempts to your network.

Not to forget, I mentioned a program like Portmaster above. So, you can utilize that as a nice network firewall too.

A good firewall configuration can protect against various types of attacks. You can follow some of our tutorials to learn more about it:

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It is debatable how much security a basic firewall offers these days as most computers sit behind the router using NAT. Still, the firewall could come in handy if you are accessing the internet over WiFi at airport, hotels and other public places.

8. Making proper data backup

I always back up my data. And, you should too!

Now, I include two kinds of backup in my strategy:

  • Timeshift for system settings
  • Dejadup (default Backup tool in many distros) for user data backup

If you mess up your system while configuring it or if an update creates undesired changes, Timeshift backups save the day.

Guide to Backup and Restore Linux Systems with Timeshift
This beginner’s guide shows you how to back up and restore Linux systems easily with the Timeshift application.
9 Things I Do to Improve My Linux Computer's Security

And if the disk crashes or you accidentally delete something important, DejaDup backup helps.

Of course, you can utilize cloud storage services to store some of your extremely important data offsite. After all, data should be backed up in multiple places.

Top 10 Best Free Cloud Storage Services for Linux
Which cloud service is the best for Linux? Check out this list of free cloud storage services that you can use in Linux.
9 Things I Do to Improve My Linux Computer's Security

9. Setting strong authentication

One of the most basic practices for good security is to keep strong passwords and rely on two-factor authentication.

While you can easily do that for online accounts using password managers where 2FA and passkeys have become the new standard, the traditional login to your computer often has a simple password.

I think if I combine all the insights from various anime I watch, I could make a pretty unique password with a variation of numbers, uppercase/lowercase letters, and symbols. So, try using stronger passwords.

Wrapping Up

It is evident that you can use multiple methods to secure your Linux computer. However, keep in mind that despite all of these steps, a system is never impenetrable.

9 Things I Do to Improve My Linux Computer's Security

The best thing to do at all times is to stay vigilant, and proactively notice changes in your system.

I constantly look for what is different every time I boot into my system, and you should too. Of course, you do not need to overthink every change, but thinking about them should allow you to spot problems early.

Author Info

9 Things I Do to Improve My Linux Computer's Security

Swayam Sai Das is a student exploring the realms of Linux as an Intern Writer at It's FOSS. He is dedicated, when trying to push ranks in FPS games and enjoys reading literature classics in an attempt of putting on an academic facade.



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Sabtu, 02 November 2024

I Installed Fedora on Raspberry Pi, Here's How it Compares to the Official Pi OS

I Installed Fedora on Raspberry Pi, Here's How it Compares to the Official Pi OS

Fedora is one of those Linux distributions that tends to fly under the radar for Raspberry Pi users because there's Raspberry Pi OS and many other distros fit for Raspberry Pi.

But with Fedora’s official support for ARM devices, it is definitely worth a closer look, especially if you’re thinking of using your Raspberry Pi as your main PC.

So, we are going to put that theory into the test, and I will be installing Fedora on my Raspberry Pi 4 with 4 GB of RAM. If you have some other Raspberry Pi board, the performance/experience can be slightly different.

Why Fedora?

Undoubtedly, Fedora has been around for years and is backed by Red Hat, so it is well-maintained and frequently updated.

Fedora is popular for its GNOME desktop environment and its focus on being up-to-date with the latest technologies.

If you have been using Raspberry Pi OS, Fedora will feel a bit heavier, but it also offers a lot more in terms of features and polish.

So, let us get started... 😊

I Installed Fedora on Raspberry Pi, Here's How it Compares to the Official Pi OS

Installation

At the time of writing this article, Fedora is not officially supported on Raspberry Pi 5. I tried it for fun, but it failed.

Step 1: Downloading the right version

To get started, you’ll need the correct version of Fedora. Head over to the Download's page and grab the Fedora Workstation image for ARM (aarch64).

Make sure you are getting the image specifically for ARM devices, as those are built to work with Raspberry Pi hardware.

I Installed Fedora on Raspberry Pi, Here's How it Compares to the Official Pi OS

The file you download will be compressed as .xz, but you don’t need to extract it. We’ll flash this file directly onto our microSD card.

Step 2: Flashing Fedora to a microSD Card

For this guide, I will be using Raspberry Pi Imager to write Fedora to the microSD card.

There are third-party tools like Balena Etcher, but Raspberry Pi Imager is simple and gets the job done. You can get it from Raspberry Pi's download page.

I Installed Fedora on Raspberry Pi, Here's How it Compares to the Official Pi OS
Steps to flash Fedora using Raspberry Pi Imager
  1. Insert your microSD card (at least 16 GB, preferably 32 GB).
  2. Open Raspberry Pi Imager on your PC.
  3. Select "Use Custom" when choosing the OS and find the Fedora image you just downloaded.
  4. Select the microSD card as the target storage.
  5. Hit "Write" and let the tool burn the image to your card.

This process can take a few minutes, depending on the speed of your card. Once done, safely eject the card.

Step 3: First Boot

Now comes the exciting part, plug the microSD card into your Raspberry Pi 4, hook it up to your monitor, and power it on.

Apologies for the shaky video experience. I wanted you to see the initial boot time of Fedora, which is significantly slower than Raspberry Pi OS.

On my Raspberry Pi 4 with 4 GB of RAM, it took more than a minute to load up to its home screen.

If you have used GNOME before, this will feel familiar, if not, it is a bit different from the lightweight LXDE desktop you would be used to on Raspberry Pi OS.

Exploring Fedora's Desktop on Raspberry Pi

Once Fedora is up and running, you will notice that it is a much more feature-rich experience than the Raspberry Pi OS.

The GNOME desktop offers smooth transitions, a dock, and an 'Activities' overview for multitasking. Of course, you probably know this if you have used Fedora or any GNOME-based distribution on your computer.

I Installed Fedora on Raspberry Pi, Here's How it Compares to the Official Pi OS
Once you are booted, you will see the GNOME desktop environment
I Installed Fedora on Raspberry Pi, Here's How it Compares to the Official Pi OS
This is fedora's app drawer, looks pretty neat!

However, GNOME is heavier on resources compared to the lightweight desktop environments on Raspberry Pi OS, so it can feel sluggish at times, especially when you start opening multiple apps or browser tabs.

I am guessing you could eliminate some performance issues with an 8 GB RAM Raspberry Pi. You can try 😉

Performance and Usability

  • Web browsing: Firefox comes pre-installed, and performance is solid for basic browsing. However, websites heavy on media (like YouTube or news sites) will start to slow things down.
  • Office tasks: LibreOffice opens without much delay and handles basic word processing and spreadsheets fine.
  • Multitasking: Fedora supports multitasking, but once you have a few apps open, the microSD card’s speed becomes the limiting factor. This could be improved if you’re booting from an SSD instead.

GNOME is a full-featured desktop environment, and if you’re looking to use your Pi as a desktop PC, Fedora can definitely do the job. It just won’t feel as snappy as Raspberry Pi OS on a micro SD card.

Fedora Vs. Raspberry Pi OS

Now, let’s talk about how Fedora stacks up against Raspberry Pi OS. Both have their strengths, but which one works better really depends on what you are using your Pi for.

Boot times

Fedora boots slower than Raspberry Pi OS (not the initial boot). Whether you want to wait 20–25 seconds for it to load up, or if it is too much for you? 😫

It depends on your preferences.

Desktop performance

If you are using your Pi 4 for basic tasks, Raspberry Pi OS feels a lot faster because it uses a lightweight desktop (LXDE or the newer Raspberry Pi Desktop).

Fedora’s GNOME environment is much heavier, so while it looks and feels more modern, it demands more resources. You will notice this when switching between apps or launching heavier software.

I Installed Fedora on Raspberry Pi, Here's How it Compares to the Official Pi OS
There is no app running at this moment, these spikes are all due to Gnome

Package management

Fedora uses dnf instead of apt (used by Raspberry Pi OS). It is not better or worse, just different.

Fedora’s updates tend to be more frequent and cutting-edge, while Raspberry Pi OS sticks to stable releases.

Fedora’s GNOME environment also comes with the GNOME Software app, which provides a friendly graphical interface for installing and updating software.

I Installed Fedora on Raspberry Pi, Here's How it Compares to the Official Pi OS

It’s a more user-friendly experience compared to Raspberry Pi OS, where you’re likely to use the terminal or the basic “Add/Remove Software” tool.

But, you can also use Pi Apps. So, it is your call.

Pi-Apps: The Better App Store for Raspberry Pi
You can improve your application installation smoother and efficient on Raspberry Pi with the Pi Apps.
I Installed Fedora on Raspberry Pi, Here's How it Compares to the Official Pi OS

Hardware Support and Drivers

One area where Raspberry Pi OS has a clear advantage is in hardware support. Since it is specifically designed for the Raspberry Pi, you can expect better support for things like GPIO, the camera module, and hardware accelerations like video encoding and decoding.

Fedora works fine on the Pi, but it is a more general-purpose operating system, so some of these Pi-specific features might not work as seamlessly out of the box.

For instance, if you're doing projects involving the GPIO pins, sensors, or cameras, Raspberry Pi OS will have better tools and community support to get you up and running faster.

Fedora can handle these things too, but you may need to install additional drivers or do more troubleshooting.

I mean Fedora doesn't even install properly on the newer Raspberry Pi 5 even after one year of its release. That speaks volumes on the hardware compatibility.

Customization and Flexibility

The Raspberry Pi OS is tailored to be simple and functional. It is great if you just want a working environment with minimal setup.

But Fedora gives you more flexibility in terms of customization. GNOME allows for extensions and tweaks that can modify how the desktop behaves and looks.

For users who enjoy tinkering with their desktop environment, Fedora offers a more flexible platform.

Community and Documentation

Both Fedora and Raspberry Pi OS have active communities, but they cater to different kinds of users.

Raspberry Pi OS, being tailored for the Pi, has a larger collection of Pi-specific documentation, tutorials, and forums.

It’s more beginner-friendly, especially if you're diving into projects like home automation, robotics, linux home server or media centers.

Fedora, meanwhile, is backed by the larger Fedora community and Red Hat.

While it may not have as much Pi-specific support, its community is vast and knowledgeable and the Linux ecosystem in general, so help is never far away if you’re looking for more advanced configurations.

Suggested Read 📖

ZimaBoard Turned My Dream of Owning a Homelab into Reality
Get control of your data by hosting open source software easily with this plug and play homelab device.
I Installed Fedora on Raspberry Pi, Here's How it Compares to the Official Pi OS

Final Thoughts

Installing Fedora on a Raspberry Pi 4 gives you a polished Linux desktop experience, but it does come with some trade-offs.

If you are looking for a feature-rich OS with more advanced capabilities, Fedora is a great choice.

But if you want speed and efficiency for lighter tasks, the Raspberry Pi OS is still the winner, especially when running off a micro SD card.

Fedora’s GNOME desktop can be a bit resource-hungry, but on the Raspberry Pi 4 with 4 GB of RAM, it is mostly usable for everyday tasks like web browsing, coding, or light office work.

For a smoother experience to using it as a desktop replacement, I recommend upgrading to an SSD (with a bigger RAM too). It offers faster read/write speeds and is more reliable than an SD card, reducing the risk of data corruption.

Are you thinking of 'hopping' to Fedora on your Raspberry Pi? Do share your experience in the comments below!



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Jumat, 01 November 2024

9 Desktop Effects to Add Eye Candy to Linux Mint

9 Desktop Effects to Add Eye Candy to Linux Mint

Linux distributions are renowned for the ability to customize the system to your liking. Linux Mint is not an exception.

In this article, we will take a look are several options through which you can add some cool visual effects to your Linux Mint Cinnamon desktop.

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I am using Linux Mint 22 in the tutorial here. If you are using some other versions, things may be different for you.

Also, you should avoid using these animations if your system has 4GB or less RAM. Computers with low-end specifications should try saving the resources for actual computing usage rather than spending them on eye candy.

Prerequisite: Install extensions for window effects

Extensions are meant to improve the overall functionality of a desktop. Cinnamon offers a convenient way of adding extensions to the system from within the system settings application.

To install an extension, open Cinnamon System Settings and go to the Extensions section.

9 Desktop Effects to Add Eye Candy to Linux Mint
Extensions option in settings

Inside the Extensions section, go to the Download tab.

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In the default Cinnamon installation, there will not be any preinstalled third-party extensions.
9 Desktop Effects to Add Eye Candy to Linux Mint
Install an Extension

As shown in the above screenshot, you can use the Download button to install an extension.

The installed extensions will be listed in the Manage tab, where you can manage all the installed extensions.

After you install an extension, go to the manage tab, select the extension and then use the + button to enable the extension.

9 Desktop Effects to Add Eye Candy to Linux Mint
Enable an extension

Once enabled, that extension will be active to use.

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Use the - option to disable and x to remove an extension. To go to extension settings, click on the settings gear icon adjacent to the extension.

1. Burn My Windows

Burn My Windows extension can animate the window opening and closing movements in several predefined options.

Once you installed, go to its settings page. In the General tab, set the opening and closing effects.

9 Desktop Effects to Add Eye Candy to Linux Mint
Burn My Windows settings
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If you set the effect to Randomized, then an effect is selected at random for opening and closing. You can choose what effects should be randomized in the Random Effects tab.

On the Effect settings page, configure individual effects to your liking by selecting them.

9 Desktop Effects to Add Eye Candy to Linux Mint
Customize individual effects
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/0:08

Burn My Windows Portal Animation for Window Closing.

2. Compiz windows effect

Do you love the wobbly window effect, where a window borders flow in a cool fashion when moved? Then this is the extension for you.

Once installed and enabled, you can see the effect when a window is moved by dragging.

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By default, this extension has some animation duration, that will take a couple of seconds to settle. So, if you are strict in window placement accuracy, I suggest disabling these wobbly effects.

The extension also provides some fine tune settings.

9 Desktop Effects to Add Eye Candy to Linux Mint
Compiz Windows effect settings
📋
Wobbly Windows is another similar extension that serves the same purpose.

3. Magic lamp effect

This is an extension to animate application window minimize and maximize. When enabled, it gives a “light spreading and returning from a torch” like animation.

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/0:09

Magic Lamp default animation

In the settings, you can change the effect to Sine, which will provide an additional wobbly effect when minimizing/maximizing a window.

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/0:09

Setting the sine animation in Magic lamp effect extension settings gives a new type of wobbly animation in window minimize and maximize.

4. Opacify windows

With this extension, you can customize the amount of window opacity while dragging or resizing a window.

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/0:07

Window opacity changes when a window is dragged or resized.

The default opacity when this extension is enabled is 100. You can adjust it to a different value using the extension settings.

9 Desktop Effects to Add Eye Candy to Linux Mint
Opacify Windows Settings
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There is no way to blur the window in this settings. So, keeping a low value, like the default 100 will hinder a better display. We suggest some value above 200.

5. Window effects

This is an inbuilt Cinnamon settings. So, go to the Cinnamon System settings app and select Effects.

9 Desktop Effects to Add Eye Candy to Linux Mint
Open Effects from Settings

Inside effects, the desktop animations will be enabled by default. Towards the bottom, you can find the Window effects.

Here, set the New Windows, Closing Windows, and Minimizing Windows option to Fly (or any other available).

9 Desktop Effects to Add Eye Candy to Linux Mint
Set window movement animation

6. Coverflow and Timeline

In GNOME, you may have heard about extensions like Coverflow, that create a neat animation in switching windows.

Linux Mint Cinnamon offers two of similar option in the default installation. Coverflow (3D) and Timeline (3D).

To get these, go to Cinnamon system settings and select the Windows option.

9 Desktop Effects to Add Eye Candy to Linux Mint
Select the Windows option in settings

Here, go to the Alt-Tab option and select a style in Alt-Tab Switcher style field.

9 Desktop Effects to Add Eye Candy to Linux Mint
Set Alt-Tab switcher style

You can get an animation as shown below.

In the same settings, there are options to refine this further. Check out those options according to what you need.

7. Flipper

Flipper offers more control over workspace switching animation. Here, you will be able to change transition effect, transition easing, and other tweaks.

9 Desktop Effects to Add Eye Candy to Linux Mint
Flipper Settings
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Use the CTRL+ALT+Left/Right to switch workspace in Linux Mint.

In the below video, you can see a Flip transition.

8. Desktop Cube

The Desktop Cube extension provides a Compiz cube like animation for desktop switching. It is similar to the previous extension, but offers limited animation customizations.

After enabling this extension, you can use the CTRL+ALT+Left/Right to switch workspace with this new animation.

Suggested Read 📖

To know more about workspaces in Linux Mint, take a look at our dedicated article.

How to Create and Switch Workspaces in Linux Mint
Workspaces are a great way to stay organized and productive. Here is how to create and use workspaces in Linux Mint Cinnamon.
9 Desktop Effects to Add Eye Candy to Linux Mint

9. Cinnamon Maximus

For those who use tiling windows, removing the window title bar will make sense in tiled mode. Cinnamon Maximus extension helps you to remove the window titles on various occasions.

9 Desktop Effects to Add Eye Candy to Linux Mint
Cinnamon Maximus settings
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The option marked experimental may not always work properly.

For example, if you enable the “Use Hotkey to toggle decoration of current window”, you can enable and disable the title bar of the current window using the shortcut Super + U.

Conclusion

There are a couple of more extensions that i didn't list but would like you to explore:

  • User Shadows: It helps set the window shadow. There are some preset options and a detailed custom shadow setting option.
  • Negate Window: The color of the window can be negated when Super + I shortcut is used.

Not everyone needs or like the windows effect. But I know a few people love to tweak their system and it's a good thing that Mint's Cinnamon desktop environment provides this functionality.

Actually, there are more ways to customize Linux Mint 👇

7 Ways to Customize Cinnamon Desktop in Linux Mint
The traditional Cinnamon desktop can be tweaked to look different and customized for your needs. Here’s how to do that.
9 Desktop Effects to Add Eye Candy to Linux Mint

💬 Do you use such desktop effect on your system? Which one do you like the most?



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