Zorin OS 12.1
Although it’s now at version 12.1, Linux Format has have not included Zorin OS on our discs for several years, if ever. So let’s make up for it with the latest version of this distribution designed for those new to Linux. It has a simple interface that should be reasonably familiar to Windows users dipping their toes in the Linux waters for the first time, while still retaining all that makes Linux special.
Easy to use doesn’t have to mean simplistic or limited, This is still a Linux distro at heart, just like all the others. Nothing has been taken away, but the user interface and default software choices are set up for those more used to Windows. Zorin takes a similar approach to elementary OS in providing a chosen selection of software to cover the main tasks people use their computers for, although its interface is somewhat more traditional.
This distro also uses Ubuntu as its base, so you have access to the full range of software provided by Ubuntu, and much of that for Debian, simply by choosing the Software option in the main menu. This is the standard desktop version of Zorin OS but there are also variants designed specifically for use in business or education. However, all the software is available from the repositories, so you can install and run any of it on any of the variants.
If there were any doubts that Zorin OS was intended for Windows migrants, those would be dispelled by the presence of the Wine section of the main menu. Wine enables you to run Windows programs on Linux, but it can be a little daunting trying to get some programs to co-operate. To deal with that, not only does Zorin include Wine itself, but also PlayOnLinux. This is a GUI for Wine that greatly eases the process of running Windows programs on Linux, far more so than with vanilla Wine. While Wine and PlayOnLinux are nice to have, you should rarely need them, because Zorin OS comes with a wide range of software capable of dealing with most of the things you already do with Windows, and using native software is just nicer!
The DVD should boot directly to the Zorin OS desktop so you shouldn’t need the username or password, but if you do then the user is “zorin” with a blank password – just hit Enter if you’re prompted for a password.