Zorin OS • Hacker News Board

Re: Zorin OS

#31

Post by trklausss » Tue, Jul 08, 2025, 4:13 PM UTC

My only issue with this project is that, after navigating the webpage for a while, I can't see _any_ reference to open source software, and compliance with their licenses.

They should at least put a link anywhere in the webpage, where people can click and at least be redirected to their components.

I know compliance is about "you only provide it if asked for", but they could be a bit more proactive and _embrace_ that they are using FOSS, not merely try to sell it.

By the way: How does selling of the Pro version work with GPL? Or is it covered because they offer the Core version?

Re: Zorin OS

#32

Post by hrdwdmrbl » Tue, Jul 08, 2025, 4:14 PM UTC

netbioserror wrote: post #27

Being Ubuntu based, I really think Zorin should be combining efforts with Linux Mint. There is quite a bit of work duplicated here. IMO Mint is the prime project; I prefer an ideal form of the core OS to a facade of others. Mint's choices have, as a side-effect, made it rather familiar anyways.

And Mint should be combined with Pop OS?

Re: Zorin OS

#33

Post by franczesko » Tue, Jul 08, 2025, 4:15 PM UTC

replete wrote: post #11

I reviewed ZorinOS last year when considering going all-in on Linux at home last year, testing around 30 distributions. While it wasn't a good fit as a techie, I rated Zorin the best distro for 'general desktop computing' for "normal" people who have used Windows their whole life. I was impressed by how integrated and easy to use the desktop environment was. Now, this is not a statement of Gnome vs KDE etc etc, it is…

Link?

Re: Zorin OS

#34

Post by tvgirlfan2004 » Tue, Jul 08, 2025, 4:16 PM UTC

biggestfan wrote: post #19

LorenDB wrote: post #2

Zorin is one of the best distros to recommend to noobs. - Ubuntu based, so it has full compatibility with every .deb package that you find online - Not actually Ubuntu, so it doesn't have that weird Canonical corporate push stuff (ads in terminal, etc.) - Has a .exe hook preinstalled that asks you if you want to install Wine to run Windows apps - Has a very Windows-like layout so it's instantly familiar (which is not…

And in place upgrades! It was a massive problem for years with Zorin (and still exists with other "user friendly" distros like Elementary), requiring a full system reinstall every time a new version released. That being said, I still think this is a bit of a strange option when there's several Ubuntu flavors with more Windows-esque desktops, plus Linux Mint which offers a lot of these benefits with a much larger user…

elementary supports upgrades since OS 8

https://blog.elementary.io/os-8-available-now/#:~:text=In%20...

Re: Zorin OS

#35

Post by NackerHughes » Tue, Jul 08, 2025, 4:16 PM UTC

webdevver wrote: post #22

THE ROTATING CUBE IS BACK!!!! LFG!!!! https://youtu.be/4QokOwvPxrE&t=120

I’m glad to see it. It really didn’t get much better than Desktop Cube back in the day.

Re: Zorin OS

#36

Post by replete » Tue, Jul 08, 2025, 4:17 PM UTC

afavour wrote: post #12

I hope this succeeds where others have, well, not failed, but not had overwhelming success. Years ago I installed Linux Mint on a family member's computer but they got frustrated enough with it (and required my regular intervention enough) that we ended up switching away. Zorin boasting about you being able to play "an enormous library of your favorite games" or boasting about the vast software library feels like ask…

FYI: FydeOS[0] is ChromeOS without google services

[0]: https://fydeos.io/

Re: Zorin OS

#37

Post by yesfitz » Tue, Jul 08, 2025, 4:18 PM UTC

roger_ wrote: post #5

“Bundled with alternatives to over $5,000 of professional software” That sounds spammy and misleading to me. I’m assuming they’re just including open source alternatives and assuming the same value as commercial offerings.

How would you rephrase the sentiment?

Re: Zorin OS

#38

Post by guestbest » Tue, Jul 08, 2025, 4:20 PM UTC

Is this the spiritual successor to Lindows?

Re: Zorin OS

#39

Post by DSMan195276 » Tue, Jul 08, 2025, 4:21 PM UTC

roger_ wrote: post #5

“Bundled with alternatives to over $5,000 of professional software” That sounds spammy and misleading to me. I’m assuming they’re just including open source alternatives and assuming the same value as commercial offerings.

I would add - I don't mind them describing it like that, the questionable part is how the advertising heavily implies that to get access to that software you have to buy the "Pro" version. The software is of course free and available to install on the "non-pro" version, it just doesn't get installed during installation, and they're definitely betting on people not knowing this detail and buying "Pro" to get the listed software.

Re: Zorin OS

#40

Post by jim201 » Tue, Jul 08, 2025, 4:21 PM UTC

I’m glad that there are distros catering towards less techy people. Linux needs this. But I take issue with selling open source projects that could otherwise be downloaded for free.

The $48 Pro version resells open source software (Blender is mentioned on their website) and slaps on a few themes. Even if legal, this just seems highly unethical.