Monday, 17 February 2014

Zorin OS 8 - More like Windows 7 than Windows 7

Posted by Gary Newell  |  at  22:49 52 comments

Introduction

It has been a while since I last wrote a review about Zorin OS. Time moves pretty fast and with other distributions making great strides, is there still a place for an operating system like Zorin which basically deploys a familiar looking desktop on top of Ubuntu.

It has been a couple of versions since the last review so it is a bit pointless for me to just write the differences between now and then, so instead I am going for the full review as if I had never seen it before.

How to get Zorin OS



You can get Zorin OS by visiting http://zorin-os.com/free8.html. There are only two versions currently at version 8 and they are the core version and the educational version.

If you have a computer a little light on resources then you will want Zorin OS 6 Lite.

After downloading the ISO image you can create a Zorin DVD by inserting a blank DVD into your drive and using disk burning software to burn the image to a disk.

Alternatively use UNetbootin to burn the ISO to a blank USB drive

If you are unsure as to how to burn an ISO to a DVD or USB drive or you have a slow internet connection then you .

Installation




















Boot from the DVD or USB drive into the live version of Zorin OS. You can now test out functions such as connecting to the internet to make sure there are no glaring issues.

When you are ready to install Zorin click on "Install Zorin OS".


The installation for Zorin is fairly straight forward. First things first, choose your language.


Make sure that you have enough disk space, you are plugged in and you have an internet connection. (Being plugged in and having an internet connection are actually optional, you just risk trouble if your battery dies and you won't get updates if there is no internet connection).


A message will appear asking you to unmount drives that are mounted. Click "Yes" to unmount the drives.


You can now choose to install Zorin alongside an existing operating system (Dual boot), erase the entire disk and install Zorin on the whole drive or something else.

The "Something else" option will pull up the partitioning tool and you will be able to add and set up partitions exactly how you would like them to be. 

If you are unsure how to do this then either read up on the subject of partitioning or make life easy for yourself and either choose the install alongside option or erase everything and install Zorin option.


The next screen asks you to choose where you live. 


Choose the keyboard layout.


Create a user.


When you have finished simply click "Restart Now".

First Impressions


Zorin looks like Windows 7 by default. There are 2 icons on the desktop for "Home" and "Computer". There is also a taskbar with a "Z" instead of the word "Start", a quick launch bar and a system tray.

Clicking on the "Z" icon pulls up a menu which looks like the Windows 7 menu. 

The quick launch bar includes icons for the Chrome web browser, a file browser and audio application. The system tray has icons for the keyboard layouts, Bluetooth, network settings, online status, power management, audio settings and a clock.

Connecting to the internet

To connect to the internet click on the network icon in the system tray. A list of wired and wireless networks appear. 

Click on the network you wish to connect to and if necessary enter the security key.

To open a web browser click on the "Chrome" icon next to the "Z" icon.

Flash and MP3


Flash is installed by default in Zorin and therefore you can watch Youtube videos and play Flash games without installing any further software.

The codecs required to play MP3 files are also installed by default so you can listen to your music collection without installing further software.

Applications

One of the best reasons to install Zorin is the choice of applications that are there by default (without having to resort to the package manager).

There are all the applications you would expect from an operating system such as screen grabber, text editor, terminal, archive/compression tool, calculator and disc burning software,

The browser within Zorin is Chrome. Many other distributions ship with FireFox or Chromium but Zorin comes with the actual Chrome browser.

If you don't like Chrome of course then that isn't a problem either because Zorin has a web browser manager.



The choice of browsers isn't exactly extensive but the main ones are available.

Quick question. What does everyone else think of Midori? The jury is still out for me on that one. Am I missing a trick? Is it a hidden secret that I haven't figured out yet?

Thunderbird is installed as the email client and Empathy is the instant messenging client. There are also remote desktop and desktop sharing tools. A noticeable omission is an IRC chat client along the lines of  XChat.

The full LibreOffice office suite is installed with Writer, Calc, Impress and Draw. GIMP is also installed for image editing. There is a PDF viewer installed and the Shotwell photo management tool.

In the "Sound & Video" category there is the Totem video player for playing movies.


For playing music there is the noise audio player.


When you first start "Noise" it will ask you to specify the folder where your music is located.


Noise has many of the features of the best audio players such as Rhythmbox, Clementine and Banshee. You can create playlists and view your collection in multiple ways including the list view (as shown above) or the thumbnail view as shown below.

If you choose an album or playlist a new window opens with a list of the songs in that album or playlist.


Other applications in the "Sound & Video" section include the "Cheese" webcam application. (Has anyone ever used this and if so what for?).

There is also the OpenShot video editor. I am not much of a video editor but I did write this article about using OpenShot to create a streaming cartoon video loop for my daughter's birthday party last year.

If you have any Windows programs that you want to run within Zorin then there is WINE which is not an emulator. WINE is a compatibility layer that enables you to run Windows software. It isn't 100% perfect but works for a good number of applications. Zorin has made this even better by installing PlayOnLinux which makes installing your Windows applications as simple as point and click.

























In theory you can run Microsoft Office within Zorin and if you want to run Internet Explorer then you can. (Although you would be much better off getting used to Chrome). Just to prove the point, I installed Internet Explorer.



















If you are a web developer then I guess this is useful for testing out your pages within Internet Explorer. I will be taking it off shortly after publishing this article.

Personally I would recommend using a virtual machine to run Windows if you need to run the odd Windows program. The other option is to dual boot.

One of the best uses of WINE and PlayOnLinux is to install your favourite Windows games.

Talking of gaming, a noticeable omission from Zorin (and to be honest most distros) is STEAM. You can remedy this by using the Zorin Software Centre.























The Zorin software centre has a nice and clean interface and it is easy to either browse for new applications by clicking on the different categories. You can search for the program you want to install by typing the name in the search bar.























Steam is available in the software centre. The software is free but to install it you have to click the Buy button.

When you click the Buy button you will be asked to log in to Ubuntu One. If you don't have an account you have to create one.

Once the account has been created you can download Steam. It is free despite the fact that you have to hit the buy button to install it.


When you run Steam for the first time it basically starts downloading a large update of around 250 megabytes.

Once this process is complete you can access your Steam library by logging in to your Steam account.

Note that to run Windows games you need to have the Windows version of Steam installed (via WINE). The Linux version allows you to buy and install Steam games released for Linux. The library of games released for Linux is increasing rapidly.

Look and feel

Zorin is obviously designed to make Windows users feel comfortable. There are a few tools to help you customise your experience.

The first one is the theme changer. By default you get the light Zorin theme. There is also a dark theme available and you can use the theme changer to select the theme you like the best.


The other tool that you might like is the Zorin Look Changer.


By default in Zorin 8 you get the Windows 7 look. If you are old school then you can choose the Windows XP style and if you are old school Ubuntu there is the Gnome 2 look. There are more looks available but you have to upgrade to the Zorin premium version.

To get the premium version of Zorin visit http://zorin-os.com/premium8.html. You can get the premium version for a small donation of €9.99. If you require a disk then it is €14.99 with €3 for shipping.

The other thing you might want to change is the desktop background. You can do this by right clicking on the desktop and choosing the "change desktop background" option. (Incredibly cryptic).


There are a number of wallpapers that come with Zorin but you can choose one from your own collection by choosing "Pictures". If you prefer a plain colour then click on the "Colours" option.






















If you like to add extra effects such as fading windows or cube effects then there is the Compiz Settings Manager.

Zorin Premium

You can use Zorin Core and Zorin OS Lite for free. There is a premium option which is used to help fund the Zorin project.

As mentioned earlier it costs around 10 euros.

What does Zorin Premium give you that core doesn't?

That is a very good question. The website says the following:
Get the ultimate desktop experience with Zorin OS 8 Ultimate. It includes some of the best programs for Linux. If you're into multimedia, gaming, business or just want it all, this one's for you! Our premium software plus all of the original programs from Zorin OS 8 Core are also included in the package. With Zorin OS 8 Ultimate, you're set for just about anything!
It really isn't obvious what you do actually get for choosing the premium option. Maybe the Zorin team could be clearer on this.

Summary

The things I like about Zorin are as follows:
  • The website is clean and simple to navigate and therefore it is easy to find the correct version to download
  • The installer is easy to follow and you can be setup within 10 to 15 minutes
  • Most software that I need is installed by default and therefore the package manager is only required for real extras.
  • The selection of software is decent
  • The look and feel changer is unique to Zorin and is a nice throwback
  • There are some nice screen effects created by Compiz
  • It is easy to use
I did have a few little hiccups (hiccoughs). When choosing certain Compiz options a crash report appeared.  

When I first logged in the guest option was chosen and there was no option to choose my actual login name. (There was....it was just hidden. By clicking above the password, my username then appeared).

Who is Zorin aimed at? Clearly it is aimed at current Windows users thinking of moving to Linux. If you are using Windows XP or Vista then Zorin OS is a cheap way of getting a Windows 7 interface and you will need less resources to run Zorin than Windows 7. If Zorin OS core doesn't work for you then there is always Zorin OS Lite.

I can't see Windows 7 users moving to Zorin OS unless they are fed up with the inevitable slowdown that always happens on Windows machines and they aren't prepared to move to Windows 8.

People who have bought a new machine that has come with Windows 8 might consider Zorin OS if they want a Windows 7 style interface instead of the travesty that is Windows 8.

I wonder if there are any plans for Zorin to come up with a Windows 8 look. 

Thankyou for reading.

Screenshot Tour

Click here for a full screenshot tour of Zorin OS 8. (Courtesy of Linux Notes From Dark Duck)

More reviews on the way

I have been a bit slack with reviews so far this year and so I plan to catch up a bit. Zorin OS 8 is the first but on the way are reviews for openSUSE and Mint 16.

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52 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. I've promoted this link up into the main article.

      Delete
  2. Why the fuck the close button is on left?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Just like in Ubuntu... Why be different when one can be different...

      Delete
    2. It's easier to use, but to mimic MS Windows 7 it should be on the right. It can easily be changed.

      Delete
    3. It's not a function of ease, it's a function of usability. Something these Linux distros lack significantly. Everything in the world has the close button in the top right corner. That's because a usability study called for it.

      Delete
    4. everything in the world except mac os and the most popular variant of linux based os

      Delete
  3. Good write up, i'm using Zorin OS 6 LTS and have installed it on quite a few friends and family pc's... all of them no longer require Windows and are very happy with this Distro.
    Any idea when the next LTS of Zorin will be out?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The next Ubuntu LTS is 14.04 and so the version of Zorin that comes out after 14.04 is released will be the next LTS version.

      Delete
    2. I started with Zorin 6, but am up to 9 Core now.I prefer the Debian family distros. IMHO
      Midori is a step better than Qupzilla browser, about par with Epiphany and Arora browsers. Have you used or reviewed the Boot Repair Disk? It competes with Grub-
      Customizer. It conveniently allows you to choose your default OS and repair your grub bootloader on the MBR. Very handy GUI and short learning curve. Multibooters like me can inadvertently end up with a messy, hard to read grub, but this can clean it up. Fits on a CD and comes with a handful of applications. A little dropdown pointer called "Advanced Options" unfolds the good stuff. "Grub Location" is a very useful tab.

      Delete
  4. I have used Zorin since version 6...it's not a bad distro at all, I don't use it for everyday use, but it's on my "play laptop" the machine I use for browsing the web, and watching movies online. Its pretty smooth, but I notice that if you try to run it on a machine with "less" horsepower under the hood it's kind of laggy, and slow, but on say...and i5 or an i7 then you'll be fine...especially with the streaming media.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. For machines with less power there is Zorin OS Lite. Same look and feel with a lighter desktop environment

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    2. Are there any other differences between the standard version and Lite? If not, why not use the lite version so you always have more resources available?

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    3. I have written a review for Zorin 6 Lite (/2012/10/zorin-os-6-lite-lite-fantastic.html). Zorin 8 is newer and has more bling. There may be slight variations with regards to applications as well.

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    4. the lite version features a different desktop environment which uses less resources, and the "DE" itself maybe lacking some functionality or has more lightweight alternatives, like the system monitor for example. zorin os lite uses lxde(lightweight x desktop environment), it is lightweight, looks fine, maybe missing some bling and bundled with different lightweight apps to run well on older hardware, such as a slightly more simple file manager, and the aforementioned system monitor, etc.

      Delete
  5. Does Zorin want to be a kind of "slut of Windows"?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not sure that is the terminology they would use

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    2. When Zorin 7 and Zorin 6 got dropped, I went hunting and found RoboLinux, which was my first taste of VirtualBox and any OS run in a virtual client, if that's the term. Perhaps another review of it may help clear up the confusion.

      With menus coming back to Ubuntu 14.04, perhaps it may become a little easier to use on the desktop, we can always hope...

      Joan in Reno

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  6. Its just Elementary to me :)

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  7. This is a quote from the review:"Noise has many of the features of the best audio players such as Rhythmbox, Clementine and Banshee."
    Ahh, yeah but they forgot the volume control button.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I use Zorin, and have the same complaints as you: Problems when tweaking Compix, and zero information from the devs regarding ... well, pretty much anything. I can't even get a complete list of all the software that's included in each version (education, normal, premuim, etc.)

    But overall it's a very solid distro. Nice looking, and easier to adapt to for the average Windows user than Ubuntu.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I want to use Zorin OS. I have installed ubuntu in my system along with Windows 7. So I want to replace ubuntu with Zorin. How could I replace ubuntu with Zorin by not affecting my Windows 7. Please answer me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This is quite a common question so I will write a guide for it soon but briefly all you need to do is:

      1. Download Zorin OS
      2. Use Unetbootin to create a bootable USB or use disc burning software to burn it to DVD
      3. Back up Windows and make sure you have recovery media in case it goes wrong
      4. Copy off any files from Ubuntu that you want to keep on a DVD, USB or external drive
      5. Boot your computer with either the Zorin USB drive or DVD inserted
      6. Run the installer
      7. Go through each of the installation steps and when you get to the bit that says where do you want to install Zorin choose something else
      8. In the partitioning screen click on the / drive which will be your Ubuntu root drive and select it as / again, check the format drive option
      9. Select the /home drive and select it as the /home drive for Zorin. Again check the format option
      10. Continue the install.
      11. When you are finished reboot and Ubuntu should have been replaced with Zorin leaving Windows untouched.

      Please make sure you have recovery media before trying this

      Delete
    2. Hi Gary I am downloading Zorin now,I have been using Ubuntu and I want to know is Unebootin is already on my system

      Delete
  10. Writing this on June 1, 2014
    Wondering if the LTS will be coming out this month? Anyone with incite to this question?
    Regards
    Sedan

    ReplyDelete
  11. Does it support gifs as back ground pic or screen saver

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry I am going to have to let someone else answer that. I don't know.

      Delete
  12. i am totally new here. where i got the product key? its must for run the os?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Sameer, sorry for the delay. You don't need a product key for Zorin

      Delete
  13. will it use .exe apps or linux ones?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Linux apps unless you use WINE which will allow you to run many Windows applications.

      Delete
  14. Piece of crap. Installed it along side XP and Zorin wouldn't boot. Did a full install and got a blinking cursor in the upper left. Tried a full install again, no go, now I have a new brick - gee, thanks Zorin. I hate windows but Zorin is worse

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This may be a hardware issue. Instead of using Zorin OS 8 try using Zorin OS 6 Lite. The lite version is fully functional but better on older hardware

      Delete
  15. I want to try Zorin so bad, I love that Windows XP theme it has, but I'm worried about how little information is available about the OS :/

    I can't even find any resources to tell me whether Zorin is open source or not. I presume not, I presume their Look Changer is closed-source and proprietary. That's such a shame if true :(

    I'm currently using XP and want to convert to Linux, but the whole point of abandoning Windows is to embrace free, open-source software. As much as I want something that looks and feels like XP, I don't want to leave proprietary, locked-up, closed-source Windows for a proprietary, locked-up, closed-source Linux distro :(

    Have you had any success contacting the Zorin developers to find out more info about the distro, and the differences between the free and pay versions?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. zorin is mostly free software, the pay versions just have more refinement and preinstalled stuff and some of their unique apps. when i say mostly free, i mean there are always prorietary 'blobs' in the kernel for drivers and i'm not sure about their look changer and stuff like that, but i would think it's FLOSS since i think these devs understand they're developing an open source OS.

      Delete
  16. I think the music player its same with iTunes for windows. I LOVE IT

    ReplyDelete
  17. i installed zorin os 8 along side windows 7 but i dont have admin priveleges in zorin os

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. did you try "sudo" ?

      Delete
  18. Does anybody know if Zorin is better than Ubuntu

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No, it's built from Ubuntu but is made to look like win 7(default de).Imo it's to give widow users a desktop that they are familiar with. Ubuntu v Zorin is a matter of preference. Zorin 9 is now out.

      Delete
    2. Better is subjective and based on opinion. If you like Unity then Ubuntu is better. If you don't like Unity then Zorin might be better but I think Ubuntu is more stable than Zorin.

      Delete
  19. Hi, is there a way to instal this using only flash drive?

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hi, I am a noob of Linux... I tried installing Zorin 9 core... the interface is good but my only observation is my internet connections became very very slow specially when I use the default firefox in the box, so I decided to download chrome as an alternative... same result. please advice some Technics what should I do to make my browsing faster. Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hi, I am a noob of Linux... I tried installing Zorin 9 core... the interface is good but my only observation is my internet connections became very very slow specially when I use the default firefox in the box, so I decided to download chrome as an alternative... same result. please advice some Technics what should I do to make my browsing faster. Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  22. I love that Windows XP theme it has, but I'm worried about how little information is available about the OS. but, i like windows 7 for only games because that windows 7 graphics is familiar and very attractive and compare to other OS. I spend a lot of time for free games download for windows 7. 

    SoftMozer is a free games download site offering free game & free games download for windows 7 . You can explore it in detail @http://www.softmozer.com/ and find the software that can meet your requirement.

    ReplyDelete
  23. It is easy to use, but MS Windows 7 it should be on the right. It can easily be changed.

    ReplyDelete
  24. hate it. Loved zorin 6 but 8 is a nightmare

    ReplyDelete
  25. How about keyboard shortcuts?

    I'm hardcore Windows user, after using only those couple decades in row, I studied MS technologies approx. 7 years and passed 12 certification exams in that area. I'm MCSE, MCITP:Enterprise administrator etc... but finally I got enough of that world and MONEY which is always there with Microsoft products.
    I'm now moving to Linux world mainly because they are free, and I like to put my future efforts in this area.

    I need to start from somewhere and I picked Ubuntu mate. I'm almost happy with it, but everytime I do something without fully focusing what I'm doing, this "mate" starts to fuck with me.
    Mainly because of keyboard shortcuts do something else than I'm used to.

    It took several days for me to configure Mate 14.04 to behave even remotely similar to Windows. This has been issue with me every time I have tried Linux over the years. I basically can't do anything but surf in the net with firefox without losing my temper. =/

    In windows I learned all possible keyboard shortcuts to make workflow faster and they are hardcoded to my brains. So just learning linux equivalents is no option.

    So I installed Compiz which is supposed to help in that manner. I got "moving windows with Win+arrow" function working, but it caused new problems. There is so many places where one must configure something to get all kb. shortcuts working like they should that one gets easily lost there.
    After installing Compiz, I noticed that I can't move small sized windows at all by dragging them. Also resizing windows not work either. I have to keep them either full sized, minimized or move them with Win+arrow to another side of the screen. It's not often enough.. Like when I like to see skype chat window taking 20% of the screen and music player or browser taking 80& or so...

    IMHO no "Windows like" distro is complete unless it have all windows keyboard shortcuts available as theme or default.

    I don't want to spend all my time with just configuring OS.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Good write up, i'm using Zorin OS 6 LTS and have installed it on quite a few friends and family pc's... all of them no longer require Windows and are very happy with this Distro.
    Any idea when the next LTS of Zorin will be out?
    Charllote

    ReplyDelete

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