Zorin OS 6 another turn upon the Ubuntu Wheel!

[Daniel ~]

Found this on C/net News:

Zorin OS 6: The ultimate Linux distro for Windows users?

Whether you're looking to revive an old PC or abandon the Windows ship, this version of Linux provides a familiar look and feel.

Every once in a while I try some new version of Linux, some overhauled or updated "distribution" of the operating system that supposedly improves the user experience. And inevitably I get frustrated with it because, well, it's just not Windows.

Not that I have mad love for Windows, mind you, it's just what I'm used to.

C/Net News

You can Download here

What is life without risk!? I think I'll give it a try...":O}

[Aedan]

I do get a bit frustrated when people try to copy the Windows way of working, but because they only make a half hearted attempt at it. It leads the user into a false sense of security by appearing to be like Windows, but then, just when the user is comfortable, jars them out of comfort by not doing things in a Windows way - at which point the user is completely lost!

[chrisbard]

They can try and try to copy windows but we all know that if you want a piece of wonder you go for the genuine experience!

[Daniel ~]

OK! I get it! Zorn isn't you cup of half cofffee half tea!

You guys don't look like Pepsi types...hmmm.

Let me bring you Enlightenment!

[chrisbard]

Originally Posted by Aedan

I do get a bit frustrated when people try to copy the Windows way of working, but because they only make a half hearted attempt at it. It leads the user into a false sense of security by appearing to be like Windows, but then, just when the user is comfortable, jars them out of comfort by not doing things in a Windows way - at which point the user is completely lost!

Like when you put a cd with a game inside and the screen gets all black and then white and it says: "WTF is this, OS not recognised, NO Hardware ACC detected, please try again...in a few thousand years!

[Daniel ~]

Linux users just aren't use to an OS that can install and run any program made for any OS like Win 8 can Chris...Say, had any luck getting it to install yet?

[chrisbard]

Yep, here is what I got!

Learn Windows 8 in 8 minutes - YouTube

[Daniel ~]

So....8 minutes after you...well.... finally got it to install on modern hard ware...you realize you just bought an app that turns a desktop into a calculator...

Just think of all the places that finger has been...

[chrisbard]

Well Daniel truth be told your OS is as amazing as your requirements for an OS. You don't ask for much you can use linucs, you need to do a lot of things, you use a MAC or a PC with Windows, sorry thats how it is and works! :P

[ThunderRd]

Originally Posted by chrisbard

You don't ask for much you can use linucs, you need to do a lot of things, you use a MAC or a PC with Windows...

Wrong. Full stop.

Compare the number of available applications in say, the Debian repos to available apps for Windows. You would be absolutely astounded by how far Windows apps are outnumbered. You would also be shocked at how many specialized apps exist, and are kept current regularly.

"You don't ask for much you use Linux?" How about all of the hundreds of thousands [probably millions] of computers around the world that are absolutely incapable of running current Windows versions? Should people just throw out the machines? One of the best things about Linux is that you can find a flavor to run quite well on just about any old P.O.S. Windows 7? You'd better have some pretty recent hardware for it to run properly. Do you think people who aren't as privileged as we are can have that?

[chrisbard]

Do you know how many computers run older versions of Windows and millions of programs that can't run natively on other OS's? O.o

[Aedan]

Originally Posted by ThunderRd

Compare the number of available applications in say, the Debian repos to available apps for Windows. You would be absolutely astounded by how far Windows apps are outnumbered.

Err, ok, if you want. Debian unstable, all package list gives me a total of 49,356 separate package files, of which a number are either drivers or separate parts of the same program. Debian testing is 60,731.

Back in 2010, the last estimate I heard was approximately 4 million windows programs - that was from CES2010.
MS were claiming 100,000 apps for Windows Phone Marketplace in July this year.

[ThunderRd]

Of course older computers can run older versions of Windows, and suffer all of the security holes, vulnerabilities, instabilities, and general fuxordom that is older versions of Windows.

What I'm talking about is a current OS - even a cutting-edge OS - with nearly unlimited ready-to-install apps all in a convenient repository that can be accessed without even opening a browser. This current OS, depending on which distro you choose, might even be updated on a - hear me now - DAILY BASIS. Can Windows give you that kind of cutting edge presence?

That being said, you know I like WIndows 7. A lot.

But it cost me nearly $200 for the version I bought. And I can use it on only 1 machine. And I have to jump through hoops if I change a mainboard [that Windows Genuine whatever check it has to make if you change stuff]. And really - and I say this without prejudice - the ONE and ONLY thing it gives me that Linux cannot at this time is current gaming.

EDIT @Aedan: I phrased that badly. I'm referring to the easy availabiility of a huge number of free apps, in a central location. I don't know what Windows has that compares in that way. I mean, I run both a Sid derivative and Gentoo, and am not in need of anything I can't get readily. I suppose that independent download sites for Windows software offer it, but is it quite the same?

[chrisbard]

But that is because you don't use other Windows software as you don't need it. Talking in general now for people who are into doing things with a close to none learning curve, linucs isn't the answer. I worked for years with people who are using windows with various programs and hardware because all it takes is a couple of mouse clicks to run and thats it. I heard that Macintosh is kinda the same. But with linucs, gimme a break! Again, I am not saying that for browsing the web or for some kickass internet server setup (those that know how) isn't good, but thats about it. I agree that lately you can play more games on it but from this to call it an OS that is close to Windows is like sending the next rover to Sun and expecting the first images! It is as much an alternative to windows as me using the washing machine to talk to Jesus tomorrow morning! ...

PS...when I can actually call him from my mobile phone...

[Aedan]

Originally Posted by ThunderRd

What I'm talking about is a current OS - even a cutting-edge OS - with nearly unlimited ready-to-install apps all in a convenient repository that can be accessed without even opening a browser. This current OS, depending on which distro you choose, might even be updated on a - hear me now - DAILY BASIS. Can Windows give you that kind of cutting edge presence?

I'm using Debian as a benchmark here, perhaps unfairly, but because it seems to have a large number of applications easily available.

We've already established it doesn't have a "nearly unlimited" number of applications.

If you want to talk about "updating" and "cutting edge", then maybe you should know that there are currently 108 high impact vulnerabilities that have not been patched in the packages that are available in the Debian unstable repositories, of which, some date back to 2010. If you include high and medium impact that are remotely exploitable, then the total is about 195 vulnerabilities. Besides, I'm not sure I want that cutting edge - I've been burnt by that too many times now.

By comparison, Windows 7 has 1.

[ThunderRd]

Well, I wasn't referring specifically to W7, but all the Windows versions that would have to be used on all that aging hardware that can't run W7 [which, I'll say again, I like very much. I'm not trying to bash Windows here].

Would we rather be running Win95 / XP, or pretty much any current Linux distro? [For anything but gaming, which for me is its only advantage]

I'll shut up now, because knowlegeable people like Aedan have forgotten more than I know [and I mean that sincerely]

@Chris: look, TBH, with a little bit of configuring, you can make Linux look/act/feel/ like WIndows, if you wanted to. A few mouse clicks to run an app? Yes. A couple of mouse clicks to install an app? For sure. Apps that are just as easy to use as Windows apps, in a GUI? Yes.

The Achilles heel of Linux is learning how to configure it So yes, it won't be for the point and click crowd to set up by themselves. But in a workplace scenario, with a Linux-savvy admin, it will run on any old crap hardware and be every bit as easy to use, for the average user running normal office apps, as Windows. I work with several groups of students in a local high school with Linux. They now prefer it by far over Windows; and roughly half of them can configure most of what they want to after a year or so of working with it. That does not mean they couldn't work on it 6 months ago, just that they can now make it look/feel the way they want without help. [This on a motley bunch of P3s and PDs, small amounts of RAM, etc.]

OK, I use the CL in Linux for most operations except browsing, but I don't have to if I don't want to. Linux is about choice, and how you personally want to do your work. I speak only for myself here, but I stand by what I say - I don't miss Windows for ANYTHING, except games. And I paid dearly for that in hard cash.

[Daniel ~]

Originally Posted by ThunderRd

Wrong. Full stop.

Compare the number of available applications in say, the Debian repos to available apps for Windows. You would be absolutely astounded by how far Windows apps are outnumbered. You would also be shocked at how many specialized apps exist, and are kept current regularly.

"You don't ask for much you use Linux?" How about all of the hundreds of thousands [probably millions] of computers around the world that are absolutely incapable of running current Windows versions? Should people just throw out the machines? One of the best things about Linux is that you can find a flavor to run quite well on just about any old P.O.S. Windows 7? You'd better have some pretty recent hardware for it to run properly. Do you think people who aren't as privileged as we are can have that?

Daniel ~ slips in beside ThunderRd looking out from under his arm, and snears, Yeah Chris, what he said!":O}

[Daniel ~]

Here's what I think you completely Miss Chris. I'm Happy. There's nothing I want in Linux I don't have. Well, except a better knowledge of my OS.

Games are getting easier to find and use all the time. But Games aren't why I adopted Linux. In the last 5 years I can't think of a single penny I've spent on software... I already had Acronis in Windows. I compute for the price of my hardware.... and The Juice to go.

I haven't tried Win 7, very good-by all reports. But if I could afford it, it would come out of my hardware budget. I would have nothing but my OS....and Acronis to back it up.

I love Linux because Linux loves the user, gives to the user, seeks to meet the users need without first asking what Bill wants out of this.

If I don't have something I want.... The world is still spinning and it will come around...

When I need something from another, I always try to ask, is this a good thing for them? Linux is always asking what is good for me, then works without pay to bring it to me.

That's the relationship I have with my destros. Take an honest look at the relationship you have with Windows.

anything you want must first be something Redmond wants. That's why Bill Missed the internet completely and pronounced it a "Fad"

He just didn't see anything in it for him. How long do you think you would have had to wait for Bill to do it just because you wanted him to, even if it didn't make him any money?

You will always have the best OS money can buy, the best for Redmond.

I will always have an OS given to me by some of the best people writing code...



Dude, they give to me when nearly everyone in my world wants only to take from me.



In my mind AOA and Linux share the same heart. A heart open to truth and freeing itself of prejudices...

In my Mind both AOA and Linux are something for this world to see....

The world could learn from us. They we treat one another, the reason we gather together. What we seek to further and what we seek to suppress.

The time we give to others. The world could learn from us.

Where ever there is a joyous mood and a bottle of wine a companion will appear to share it with you...

This is just me trying to reach out to you Chris...

I don't need or want you to be like me, it's enough by far to simply be understood, how rare and fine a thing in this life... to have a friend, to be understood.":O}

[chrisbard]

I had linux installed and configured. I can do that. I can even use some of the programs but after installing some programs whenever I was trying to encode some movie I had recorded and do something while encoding either one of those programs was crashing, or both... Maybe things have changed a bit but why would I even consider using an OS when there is so much time to lose in configuring every bit of software/driver you install (reminds me of the ppl that we're writing ATI drivers for windows a few years back and you had one driver for one game and another for the other game). I am not against linucs as a fun way of losing time but apart from that Windows is working the way I want it, and every program I use is working and I don't need to play with the system to get my job done. Linux lacks maturity, maybe in a few years this will change but for the moment it isn't a solution or an answer, it's just a question: Linucs? And sadly (for some) the answer of the vast majority of PC users is NO thank you!

[Daniel ~]

As per usual Chris when you start telling how hard it is or that it didn't work, I keep thinking....Chris needs to just have some Linux around that he play with in his off hours. You install when you NEED it now and Tomorrow is Linux's middle name. Just as Yesteryear belongs to MS ":O}