Zorin

I stumbled across Zorin last night while looking for something else- anyway,I installed it alongside Windows 7 and Linux Mint 17. Now ,I have a triple boot system. After install, i experienced some problems with Windows 7 but was able to repair it with Advanced System care 8Pro. My Windows 7 seems to be slower than it was,although it is not showing any problems in my maintainence program. I like Zorin,because of its similarity to Windows.Does anyone else use Zorin,and if so , how do you like it? Comments?

To date I have not tried it, but it is on my list of things to eventually download. Lots of Windows converts like it, and based the screenshots I've seen I can understand why.

To date I have not tried it, but it is on my list of things to eventually download. Lots of Windows converts like it, and based the screenshots I've seen I can understand why.

Yeah - it is a little different,but basically looks just like Windows 7!

 

 

 Lots of Windows converts like it, and based the screenshots I've seen I can understand why.

True, many has converted to Linux via Zorin. However to get the best versions (Professional or Ultimate), one have to make a payment, what they term a donation, to access. 

Zorin indeed does look much like Windows & may help to bridge gaps while learning, it's just that with the Free versions one doesn't get all of the drivers one would get in a Ubuntu/Mint install, and the donation is not a guarantee nor implication of obtaining professional service 24/7, like that of RedHat or Pro editions of Ubuntu. 

Though for some users who can live with the limitations of a free OS that's "lite", Zorin may be OK. 

Cat

 

 

 

 Lots of Windows converts like it, and based the screenshots I've seen I can understand why.

 

True, many has converted to Linux via Zorin. However to get the best versions (Professional or Ultimate), one have to make a payment, what they term a donation, to access. 

 

Zorin indeed does look much like Windows & may help to bridge gaps while learning, it's just that with the Free versions one doesn't get all of the drivers one would get in a Ubuntu/Mint install, and the donation is not a guarantee nor implication of obtaining professional service 24/7, like that of RedHat or Pro editions of Ubuntu. 

 

Though for some users who can live with the limitations of a free OS that's "lite", Zorin may be OK. 

 

Cat

 

I see - thanks for the info- i don't mind making a "donation" if it turns out to be what i expect of it,I am just tooling around with it right now- I would be a good alternative for someone who wanted a Windows OS, without the high cost- and it uses Firefox and Thunderbird ,so, as you said for lite use, I like it so far!

I agree, it is a good alternative for someone who either is just getting into Linux & needs a familiar feel to get started, or to have a free or low cost Windows lookalike. There are several members here who has Zorin OS installed, or did at some point, most feedback was positive. It just wasn't for me, I took it for a spin with version 6.1 (just threw away the DVD yesterday along with others that I'll never again use). Have seen a lot less desirable Linux OS's. 

In many respects, Zorin delivers, and is endorsed by a few journalists in major publications or online sites (read a review on CNet not too long ago). Though it doesn't have IE, which is a good thing, it does indeed have Firefox & optional Thunderbird, and surely the Ultimate & Pro editions has more features, in addition to the "premium" drivers mentioned on their site. 

My suspicions are that the premium drivers part is a bit overrated, likely limited to premium sound & graphics, the rest, has to be there already, otherwise one wouldn't have a functional system. 

Though I believe that Zorin devs prefers to use the term donate over sale (or license), because this frees them from having to furnish a warranty of any type or refund if not satisfied. It would be great if they offered a Trial version of each that would revert to their "Lite" version after 10 to 30 days, perhaps they'd get a few more donors. The reasoning is that many doesn't like to pay for what can't be seen. Even money hungry Microsoft gives users a 30 day trial at a minimum, or if a Preview tester, once the OS is released, these versions functions as the real deal until the Preview license runs out. 

Just saying, they may be missing out on many donors of what may be knockout OS's with the Ultimate & Pro versions. 

Cat

Paul, I've used zorin lite (actually used Zorin 8 lite, 9 core, LXDE, and lite) on and off for about a year.  My wife said it reminded her of windows 7 too.  There is supposed to be a way to get it to resemble windows xp, but I never spent the time to do that.   I like it, it's probably my second or third favorite.  Sort of a toss up with mint.  It's quick and easy to use (can't say learn, I don't think that's possible for me).  I've been trying different distros most of the year, and I think Peach, which is another LTS ubuntu distro, has a bit more to it.  I keep going back to it.  At the moment I'm supposed to be trying the new Makulu, but I keep starting in Peach so I'm there now.  Zorin didn't slow any of my other distros down.  Zorin does have some limitations, some are probably me not knowing enough, like in zorin 8 lite, I could get a network printer to work, and I've never been able too with any of the 9's.  Cat listed no IE but firefox, and a few others, you can download chromium which is the one I'm most used too.  I've found for most of the limitations, I can go into the repositories and download the programs I need.  I have received some support from zorin, but I forget what, that was awhile back.  That tells you they have support on at least some things.  I believe wiz also uses it some, and has contacted them about some things.  I've found zorin to be a good, quick, mostly troublesome replacement for xp which is the windows I liked the best.  Could windows slowing down, be just that zorin (most linux that I've tried) is so much faster.  I know I didn't realize how slow windows was til I compared it with mint, and zorin lite is quicker yet.  Zorin core was about the same speed, I've found the different desktops make a lot of difference in speed, looks and limitations.  I suppose some knowledgeable people from here could tell you how to change the desktop to one with less limitations that lite, but that would probably change things you liked too.  As for donations, I figure one and if I ever settele on a distro I will make a donation.  I figure I've tried close to thirty distros already, some I knew right away I didn't like, and other's I've used for up to a week and a half to see if I liked them.   Good luck with zorin, or which ever distro you are trying.   

 

 

  I've been trying different distros most of the year, and I think Peach, which is another LTS ubuntu distro, has a bit more to it.  I keep going back to it. 

heyyou325, reading your post tells me a lot, if you're finding yourself attracted to a distro, as in going back to it after trying others, that means you may be finding your groove.

Don't fight it, I went through several myself before settling with Mint. When you find the distro for you, there'll be no doubt. Continuing to return to Peach is a sign of good news, having a familiar OS is good for you & then you'll be able to learn more. I'm far from being a Linux "guru" myself, however I do know enough to get by & show others the basics, like how to install an OS, secure & update it, and how to install software. Much of what you already likely know through your experience. When I installed Mint, didn't know much about the OS, but sure knew how to partition a drive for install. 

You are likely smarter than you're giving yourself credit for.

While I still try a distro here & there, not a one has caused me to leave Linux Mint MATE edition. Zorin was one of those I tried, along with a dozen more, but not a one I stuck with for more than 2-3 days, tops. Have a ISO of Sabayon Linux (loved the opening music of an earlier version), but have yet gotten around to create a Live USB installer to test it out. However it's Gentoo based, not Ubuntu, and the chances of me sticking with it are next to nil. But still want to at least fire it up & see what's offered. 

paul88ks, you're still young in your Linux life, but so far have appeared to make huge gains. You too, will find that special Linux distro, if haven't already, oh how much things has changed for the better since 2009. If I had 10% of the support that some of the new Linux users here receives, would have found a Linux distro longer before I did, but at the same time, would have discovered Mint on my own anyway. Back when I began in mid-2009, it was way down the charts, it's been at the top of the DistroWatch one since late 2011 & hasn't been knocked out of that spot since. 

5 years from dirt of the earth to the top of the heap, a feat I'll likely never see repeated again. Often, these are once in a lifetime events. While Mint, like Zorin, Peach & others has built off of Ubuntu's base, it's the distro's customized features that makes or breaks them, for as may that has risen to fame, hundreds of others never gained traction for various reasons, a few of which I also took for a spin. 

Cat

Edited by cat1092, 20 January 2015 - 02:47 AM.

Cat- thanks for the vote of confidence- I think I will stick with Mint Mate and Zorin for right now. Anytime I hear of a new OS I am eager to check it out- like Peach- i have a question- I know that these distros are all versions of Linux.How does this work? Are there a certain group of people that work on a particular distro? and who decides what is released to the public? 

Paul, to answer your question, the large majority of Linux distros are open source, with a few exceptions such as RedHat & Ubuntu also offers a version with Full Pro support, these are subscription based. 

Most anyone with the experience can take a distro like the source code of Ubuntu (with branding taken away), play around & create their own. It's how Mint, Zorin, Peach, some Puppy versions & others does. How they do it, I have no idea, because obviously am no developer. However, most copies off of Ubuntu's base, because it's easy to learn, and may also offer the best shot at success for the one releasing the OS. 

Developers will either self finance their projects or be backed by a group, many putting in long hours after working their regular job to keep the bills paid at home. Much sacrifice has to be made, all of this initial work is pro-bono. Some are lucky and has friends to assist with coding, artwork and further OS development. Today, the deck would be greatly stacked against one who wanted to create a Linux distro w/out any assistance. 

Once the OS has been compiled, it'll then have to be released as an alpha, beta, release candidate (final stage before release) & then released to the public to use. Of course, there are ins & outs to this process, but I don't know them all, one is that it's checked to be sure no unauthorized software is thrown in w/out consent (such as Adobe software), though am unsure as to whom does the checking. It would have to be one w/out ties to a distro, to prevent stealing one's ideas & distributing (or including) as their own work. 

My suspicions are that the Free Software Foundation (headed by co-Linux founder Richard Stallman) would be in on this inspection, as these has to receive his personal stamp of approval anyway. Those who creates Linux distros, in addition to those who releases subsequent versions, regardless of popularity, has to meet the FSF guidelines, this isn't a "free for all" deal here, meaning there's regulation in place to protect Linux distros from having their logos & some other custom features copied. Those who distributes Xfce & KDE versions has additional requirements to meet, as well as those wanting to re-distribute MATE or Cinnamon (Linux MInt exclusives). 

Speaking of which, did you know that the Firefox browser is also a open source project? As well as the Chromium browser (the base of the proprietary Google Chrome), it's the same. Opera is no longer open source, there has been ownership changes inside of the last 2 years, why the Linux version hasn't been upgraded in some time. 

One of the best things of all about open source software, is that if one finds a legit bug & offers a fix, after swift but careful approval, will be offered to users inside of 24 hours. Whereas with Windows, if it's three weeks away from Patch Tuesday, tough turkey, it's not going to be fixed before next Patch Tuesday rolls around. That's a shame, because these paying customers may be waking around with a moderate to serious breach for up to 34 days (if there's 5 Tuesdays in that cycle), before a fix is issued, which will be way too late for many. Only the most severe of emergencies gets an out of band fix, and MS refused to bend on that policy. 

Well, that's the best I can explain, hope that it's helpful. 

Don't forget, when you need assistance, always feel free to create a new Topic, or reopen your old if it's the same issue again. There are no "dumb" questions here. 

Cat

Hi guys - and thanks to my colleague from 60 miles south of the Canadian border (heyyou325) for remembering Wiz uses Zorin, too - and I have three distros side by side, as well, Paul - LMM17, Zorin OS9 Core, and TimNet, formerly known as Zorbuntu, which you can read about just either side of this Topic.

Every 30 days or so, with Zorin, you will get this:

Let me know if you DON'T. They are pretty meticulous about it.

And (dare I incur the wrath of my good mate Cat?) - in many ways I would call it more of a dropin replacement for Windows XP/Windows 7 users than even Linux Mint Mate.

I'll detail more why so in another post.

Meantime, enjoy!

Wiz

Thanks Cat- I knew about Opera, which I use primarily in Windows, even though they abandoned their Email client after they went private,so I switched to Thunderbird instead of Opera Mail,which is a shame,because i really liked it. Also knew about Firefox,since Firefox and thunderbird are both Mozilla projects. i was under the impression that opera was also Chrome based. Thanks for explaining the politics of Linux distros- i assumed there must be some rules and guidelines in place-  Paul 

Thanks Wiz- as of now - WIndows7/LMM/Zorin all running side by side- thinking about adding Peach- and I always make backups before i make any changes- I have a 300 gig partition i my just install Peach there- there is nothing on it- anyway I will keep all informed on how its going - you guys are a wealth of information! Paul

Hi, Paul88ks.

To change the look of zorin simply click on your blue Z icon bottom left and choose system tools then you will see the Zorin look changer option.

You have 3 options w7, XP and Gnome 2, to me all of them are ok and mainly just alter the menus a bit.

Regards, Ian.

Paul, I miss Opera too......the real Opera, where there was more than email & email client offered, as well as a forum and social group, the browser was more than a search engine, it was a community that put humanity first.....I had friends there. 

Will be glad to see it offered in the current version for Zorin & other Linux users, with 1% or so of market share, what's there to lose? 

Ian, had forgotten about the Zorin Look Changer, even though I never used it, only ran the OS for like 3 days tops. Glad that you brought it up, members will benefit from knowledge. 

Cat