Zorin OS

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Zorin OS
Zorin Logomark.svg
The logo for Zorin OS
Zorin-OS-16.1-Core.png
Zorin OS 16.1 Core desktop with GNOME desktop environment
Developer Zorin Group
Written in C, C++, Python, D, Java
OS family Linux (Unix-like)
Working stateCurrent
Source model Open-source
Initial release2009
Latest release 17.1 / March 7, 2024;39 days ago (2024-03-07)
Repository
Marketing target Personal computers
Available in Over 50 languages
Update method Software Updater
Package manager APT, dpkg, Snap, flatpak
Platformsx86_64
Kernel type Monolithic (Linux kernel)
Userland GNU
Default
user interface 		GNOME, Xfce
License Free software + some optional proprietary device drivers
Official website zorin.com/os/

Zorin OS is a Linux distribution based on Ubuntu. It uses a GNOME 3 and XFCE 4 desktop environment by default, although the desktop is heavily customized in order to help users transition from Windows and macOS easily. [1] [2] Wine and PlayOnLinux are supported, [3] allowing users to run compatible Windows software, like Microsoft Office. Its creators maintain three free editions of the operating system, and sell a professional edition. [4]

Contents

Features

Zorin OS is fully graphical, with a graphical installer. For stability and security, it follows the long-term releases of the main Ubuntu system. It uses its own software repositories as well as Ubuntu's repositories. These repositories are accessible through the common apt-get or apt install commands via the Linux terminal, or a GUI-based software manager that provides an app store-like experience for users who don't wish to use the terminal.

The OS also comes with a number of desktop layouts or themes to modify the desktop environment. The themes let users change the interface to resemble those of Microsoft Windows, macOS, or Ubuntu [5] [6] [7] and allow the interface to be familiar regardless of the previous system a user has come from. [8] As with all GNOME-based desktop environments, the look and feel of the desktop can be modified using GNOME extensions. [9]

Editions

Zorin OS is available in various editions: [10]

The Lite editions are streamlined to work on older computers and use XFCE instead of GNOME. [11]

The Pro edition is available for download with a purchase through the project's website. It offers additional layout themes for different operating systems, including both Windows 11 and "Windows Classic" (Windows 7) themes, a collection of wallpapers to choose from, and comes preinstalled with popular FOSS programs such as Blender, in-house software for managing passwords, and software for casting content to Miracast-compatible screens. The Pro edition provides installation technical support as well.

Zorin OS Pro can be installed on multiple computers with one license, except for businesses and schools that must purchase a license for each PC the OS is installed onto. [12]

History

The project was started in 2008 by co-founders Artyom and Kyrill Zorin. The company is based in Dublin, Ireland. [13]

Zorin OS was initially released on 1 July 2009. Since version 16.3, the system's upgrade tool can be used to upgrade existing installations; earlier versions required users to do a clean install.

Versions

Legend:Old version, not maintainedOlder version, still maintainedCurrent stable versionLatest preview versionFuture release
VersionDateBased onFeatures/Notes
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 1.01 July 2009Initial release
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS Limited Edition '097 December 2009
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 21 January 2010Introduces five varieties: Core, Gaming, Multimedia, Educational, Ultimate [14]
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 310 June 2010 Ubuntu 10.04 LTS Zorin OS Look Changer added, installation slideshow tutorial [14]
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 422 December 2010 Ubuntu 10.10 Improved file manager, performance improvements [14]
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 56 June 2011 Ubuntu 11.04 Core and Ultimate available; new theme, updated software, Zorin-specific program improvements [14]
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 5.123 August 2011Updated Linux Kernel, aesthetic updates [14]
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 618 June 2012 Ubuntu 12.04 LTS Core and Ultimate available; new desktop environment, "Zorin Look Changer" [14]
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 6.18 November 2012Updated kernel and software, security updates [14]
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 6.227 February 2013"Zorin Menu" update, stability improvements [14]
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 6.314 May 2013Updated kernel [14]
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 710 June 2013 Ubuntu 13.04 Core and Ultimate available; updated software, Linux kernel 3.8, design overhaul [14]
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 6.428 August 2013 Ubuntu 12.04 LTS Updated kernel and software [14]
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 827 January 2014 Ubuntu 13.10 Core and Ultimate available; updated software, UI improvements, Zorin theme changer [14]
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 915 July 2014 Ubuntu 14.04 LTS Core and Ultimate available; stability improvements, Firefox support, more themes [14]
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 101 August 2015 Ubuntu 15.04 Default application refresh, performance and security improvements [14]
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 113 February 2016 Ubuntu 15.10 Core and Ultimate available; new default applications, desktop user experience overhaul [14]
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 1218 November 2016 Ubuntu 16.04 LTS New Zorin Desktop, activities overview, search revamp [14]
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 12.127 February 2017Bug fixes, new desktop features, performance improvements [14]
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 12.28 September 2017Desktop refinements, performance and stability improvements [14]
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 12.316 March 2018Wine compatibility built-in, Direct3D 10 and 11 support [14]
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 12.413 September 2018Linux kernel 4.15, performance improvements, software update process streamlining [14]
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 155 June 2019 Ubuntu 18.04 LTS Performance improvements, Zorin Connect (Android sync notifications), New desktop theme, Touch Layout functions, Flatpak support, new System font Inter introduced (skipped 3 versions from version 12)
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 15.25 March 2020Stronger security and hardware compatibility
Current stable version:Zorin OS 15.38 September 2020Works better with the updated LibreOffice. Improved hardware compatibility and security.
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 1617 August 2021 Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Visual changes, based on Ubuntu 20.04 LTS, Flatpak support out of the box. [15]
Current stable version:Zorin OS 16.110 March 2022Stronger security and better hardware compatibility.
Current stable version:Zorin OS 16.227 October 2022Ease of use and software updates.
Current stable version:Zorin OS 16.327 July 2023"Zorin OS Upgrader" tool added; updated software packages; same kernel version as Ubuntu 22.04. [16]
Current stable version:Zorin OS 1720 December 2023 Ubuntu 22.04 LTS
Current stable version:Zorin OS 17.17 March 2024 Ubuntu 23.10 Wine 9.0 and Bottles bundled in Windows App Support, Reading Strip, Logseq, LibreOffice 24.2, Thumbnails for more file formats, New Window Placement option, same kernel version as Ubuntu 23.10, better hardware support. [17]

Special functions

Zorin Connect

With Zorin Connect, an Android phone can be synchronized with the PC. Pictures and files as well as the clipboard are transferred in both directions. Notifications from the cell phone can be displayed on the PC. The cell phone can also be used as a remote keyboard, mouse (touchpad) and presenter.

The exchange happens directly over an encrypted Internet connection, so there is no need to store data in a cloud.

Zorin Grid

Zorin Grid is software for installing and maintaining Zorin OS within a network. This is done from a central computer, so that the processes do not have to be performed individually on each device. The software is especially aimed at companies and schools. At the moment, however, it is still under development. [18] [19]

Security

Zorin OS comes with the Uncomplicated Firewall installed, although it is not enabled by default.

Zorin Grid has options to improve security.

Reception

Zorin OS has been praised for its intuitive and familiar layouts, functionality, and installation process; [20] [21] [22] as well as for making it easy to use a Windows-similar layout, [21] install NVIDIA drivers, and navigate the software store. [23]

Notes and references

  1. ↑ "Zorin OS: The Linux Distribution for Windows XP and 7 Fans". linux.com. The Linux Foundation. 2016-02-24.
  2. ↑ "10 reasons to try Zorin OS 9, the Linux OS that looks like Windows". pcworld.com. PC World. 2014-07-30.
  3. ↑ "Zorin OS: Install Apps". Zorin OS. Retrieved 2020-02-05.
  4. ↑ Phillip, Watt (2015-08-29). Pro Freeware and Open Source Solutions for Business. Apress. p. 218. ISBN   9781484211304.
  5. ↑ "Zorin OS-Home". Zorin OS. Retrieved 19 March 2016. Zorin OS is a multi-functional operating system designed specifically for newcomers to Linux. It's based on Ubuntu Linux....The Look Changer lets you change your desktop to look and act like either Windows 7, XP, 2000, Ubuntu Unity, Mac OS X or GNOME 2 for ultimate ease of use.
  6. ↑ "Zorin OS". DistroWatch.com. 2018-08-28. Retrieved 25 October 2018.
  7. ↑ Speed, Richard (14 August 2018). "Linux 4.18 arrives fashionably late while Zorin OS shines up its Windows". The Register. Situation Publishing. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
  8. ↑ "Zorin OS Review - An alternative to macOS and Windows". www.fosslinux.com/. 4 May 2021. Retrieved 2021-12-24.
  9. ↑ Clarke, Gavin (2021-11-07). "Torvalds: I want to be nice, and curse less, but it's just not in me". TheRegister.com. Retrieved 2022-08-26.
  10. ↑ Johnston, Mike (5 December 2016). "Zorin OS 12 Review". CMS Critic. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
  11. ↑ Moore, Shawn (2019-12-17). "Zorin OS Lite Review - 15.1 Lite Edition". CMS Critic. Retrieved 2022-08-26.
  12. ↑ "Zorin OS Pro - Zorin OS". Zorin. Retrieved 2021-12-24.
  13. ↑ Prakash, Abhishek (November 2017). "Zorin OS: From the Hobby Project of Two Teenagers to a Growing Startup - It's FOSS". It's Foss. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 "Zorin news releases". DistroWatch.com. Unsigned Integer Limited. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
  15. ↑ "Introducing Zorin OS 16: Test the Beta Today". 16 April 2021.
  16. ↑ "Zorin OS 16.3 Is Released". blog.zorin.com. Retrieved 2023-07-27.
  17. ↑ "Zorin OS 17.1 Is Released". blog.zorin.com. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
  18. ↑ "Zorin Grid - Manage all of your computers. As easily as one" . Retrieved 2023-02-27.
  19. ↑ "Zorin Grid Lets You Remotely Manage Multiple Zorin OS Computers". 2020-01-16. Retrieved 2023-02-27.
  20. ↑ Bidwell, Jonni (22 February 2017). "Zorin OS 12 Core". TechRadar. Future plc. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
  21. 1 2 "Zorin OS 12 Review: LinuxAndUbuntu Distro Review Of The Week". LinuxAndUbuntu. 2 November 2017. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
  22. ↑ Fagioli, Brian (14 August 2018). "Zorin OS 12.4 Linux distribution is here – switch from Microsoft Windows 10 now!". betanews. BetaNews, Inc. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
  23. ↑ Germain, Jack M. (2021-10-08). "Zorin OS 16: Better GNOME With Much More Simplicity". LinuxInsider. Retrieved 2022-08-26.

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