Zorin OS

Zorin OS is a personal computer operating system[3][4] designed and promoted for users new to Linux-based computers. One of its built-in features lets users change the interface to resemble those of Microsoft Windows or MacOS.[5][2][6] Wine and PlayOnLinux can be easily installed in Zorin OS,[7] allowing users to run Windows software for ease of transition and gaming. Zorin OS's creators maintain three free-of-charge editions of the operating system, and an "Ultimate" edition for purchase.[8]

Zorin OS
Zorin OS 15 desktop
DeveloperZorin Group
Written inC, C++, Python, D, Java
OS familyLinux
Working stateCurrent
Source modelOpen-source
Initial release2009
Latest releaseOS 15.3[1] / 8 September 2020 (2020-09-08)
Repository
Marketing targetPersonal computers
Available inMore than 50 languages
Update methodSoftware Updater
Package managerAPT, dpkg, Snappy, flatpak
Platformsx86_64, i686[2]
Kernel typeMonolithic
UserlandGNU
Default user interfaceGNOME
LicenseFree software + some optional proprietary device drivers
Official websitezorinos.com

The current releases are Zorin OS 15.3 Ultimate, Zorin OS 15.3 Core, Zorin OS 15.3 Lite, and Zorin OS 15.3 Education. The new editions continue to use the Ubuntu-based Linux kernel and GNOME or XFCE interface.[9]

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.

About

The Zorin OS Company is based in Dublin and was started in 2008 by Russian co-founders Artyom and Kyrill Zorin.[10]

History

Zorin OS was initially released 1 July 2009. Earlier versions required users to do a clean install, but since version 12.4, the system's update manager can be used to upgrade existing installations.

Version history

VersionDateFeatures/NotesRef(s)
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 1.01 July 2009Initial release[11]
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS Limited Edition '097 December 2009
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 21 January 20105 different varieties: Core, Gaming, Multimedia, Educational, Ultimate
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 310 June 2010Zorin OS Look Changer added, installation slideshow tutorial
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 422 December 2010Improved file manager, performance improvements
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 56 June 2011Core and Ultimate available; new theme, updated software, Zorin-specific program improvements
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 5.123 August 2011Updated Linux Kernel, aesthetic updates
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 618 June 2012Core and Ultimate available; new desktop environment, "Zorin Look Changer"
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 6.18 November 2012Updated kernel & software, security updates
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 6.227 February 2013"Zorin Menu" update, stability improvements
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 6.314 May 2013Updated kernel
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 710 June 2013Core and Ultimate available; updated software, Linux kernel 3.8, design overhaul
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 6.428 August 2013Updated kernel and software
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 827 January 2014Core and Ultimate available; updated software, UI improvements, Zorin theme changer[12]
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 915 July 2014Core and Ultimate available; stability improvements, Firefox support, more themes
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 101 August 2015Default application refresh, performance & security improvements
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 113 February 2016Core and Ultimate available; new default applications, desktop user experience overhaul
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 1218 November 2016New Zorin Desktop, activities overview, search revamp[13]
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 12.127 February 2017Bug fixes, new desktop features, performance improvements
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 12.28 September 2017Desktop refinements, performance and stability improvements
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 12.316 March 2018Wine compatibility built-in, Direct3D 10 & 11 support[14]
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 12.413 September 2018Linux kernel 4.15, performance improvements, software update process streamlining[15]
Current stable version: Zorin OS 155 June 2019Performance improvements, Zorin Connect (Android sync notifications), New desktop theme, Touch Layout functions, Flatpak support, New System font[1]
Current stable version: Zorin OS 15.25 March 2020Stronger security and hardware compatibility[1]
Current stable version: Zorin OS 15.38 September 2020Work better with the updated LibreOffice. Improved hardware compatibility and security.[1]

Security

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

Reception

Zorin OS has been praised for its intuitive and familiar layouts, functionality, and installation process.[16][17][18]

Notes and references

  1. Zorin OS (8 September 2020). "Zorin OS 15.3 is here". Zorin Group.
  2. "Zorin OS". DistroWatch.com. 2018-08-28. Retrieved 25 October 2018.
  3. "Zorin OS: The Linux Distribution for Windows XP and 7 Fans". linux.com. The Linux Foundation. 2016-02-24.
  4. "10 reasons to try Zorin OS 9, the Linux OS that looks like Windows". pcworld.com. PC World. 2014-07-30.
  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. 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.
  7. "Zorin OS: Install Apps". Zorin OS. Retrieved 2020-02-05.
  8. Phillip, Watt (2015-08-29). Pro Freeware and Open Source Solutions for Business. Apress. p. 218. ISBN 9781484211304.
  9. Johnston, Mike (5 December 2016). "Zorin OS 12 Review". CMS Critic. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
  10. Prakash, Abhishek. "Zorin OS: From the Hobby Project of Two Teenagers to a Growing Startup - It's FOSS". itsfoss.com. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  11. "Zorin news releases". DistroWatch.com. Unsigned Integer Limited. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
  12. Zorin OS (27 January 2014). "Zorin OS 8 Core and Ultimate are here". Zorin Group. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
  13. Zorin OS (18 November 2016). "Zorin OS 12 Core and Ultimate Are Here: Our Biggest Release Ever". Zorin Group. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
  14. Zorin OS (15 March 2018). "Zorin OS 12.3 Released – A Stronger, More Versatile System". Zorin Group. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
  15. Zorin OS (13 August 2018). "Zorin OS 12.4 Released – More Secure and Compatible than Ever Before". Zorin Group. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
  16. Bidwell, Jonni (22 February 2017). "Zorin OS 12 Core". TechRadar. Future plc. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
  17. "Zorin OS 12 Review: LinuxAndUbuntu Distro Review Of The Week". LinuxAndUbuntu. 2 November 2017. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
  18. 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.
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