After 7 months of development, the release has been published Linux- Zorin OS 18 distribution based on the package base Ubuntu 24.04. The target audience of the distribution is novice users accustomed to working in WindowsTo manage the design, the distribution offers a special configurator that allows you to give the desktop a look specific to different versions. Windows и macOS, and the composition includes a selection of programs close to the programs that users are accustomed to WindowsThe bootable ISO images are 3.6 GB and 7.6 GB in size.
Zorin OS uses GNOME as the desktop platform, with a set of its own add-ons and a panel based on Dash to Panel and Dash to Dock. Zorin Connect (based on KDE Connect) is included for desktop integration with smartphones. In addition to deb packages and repositories, Ubuntu By default, support for Flatpak, AppImage, and Snap formats is enabled, with the ability to install programs from Flathub and Snap Store catalogs.
In the new version:
- The default design theme has been updated. It features more rounded shapes, removes the darkened background around menu buttons, uses lighter colors for some elements, and increases background saturation. Previously:
- By default, the bottom panel uses a floating style with rounded corners. The button for navigating open windows has been converted into a desktop indicator, making it easier to switch between tasks.
- By default, a new window tiling manager is enabled, eliminating the need to memorize complex keyboard shortcuts. Simply drag a window to the top of the screen and select the desired layout from the pop-up window. You can create your own tiling layouts, use automatic tiling, and customize the tiling behavior (Zorin Appearance → Windows → Advanced Window Tiling).
- Seamless integration with web applications has been ensured, allowing them to coexist alongside regular programs. For example, services such as Microsoft Office/365, MS Teams, Google Docs, and Adobe Photoshop can be accessed from the desktop as web applications. A Web Apps utility has been added for turning any website into an app. Created web applications immediately appear in the start menu and are accessible just like regular programs.
- The "Online Accounts" app, designed for managing connections to external services, now supports connecting to Microsoft OneDrive and viewing files stored there via the file manager sidebar.
- The built-in database has been expanded to identify installers of popular Windows- applications, covering over 170 programs. Improved information about available alternatives. For example, when attempting to launch the Microsoft Office installer, a dialog will be displayed offering the option to launch the web version of the office suite or use LibreOffice.
- Added two new color schemes: Yellow and Brown.
- Zorin OS 18 Education build includes Gradebook (gradebook), Spedread (speed reading system), and TurboWarp (programming training).
- The tools for running programs compiled for Wine have been updated to the Wine 10 branch. Windows.
- The Nautilus file manager (GNOME Files) has a refreshed sidebar design and reorganized controls. A "Search Everywhere" button has been added to the upper left corner of the sidebar for global searches of files and documents by name or content (you can simultaneously search multiple locations predefined in the settings).
- The configurator's settings panels have been redesigned and regrouped.
- A new sidebar with a monthly event summary has been added to the calendar planner.
- Cheese has been replaced by GNOME Snapshot, a program for taking photos and videos, and allowing you to easily switch between different cameras.
- The interface of the Evolution mail client has been modernized.
- Zorin Menu has been updated to support multi-monitor mode, allowing the panel to be visible on more than one screen, and improved touchscreen controls.
- Added support for remote desktop connection using the RDP protocol (Settings app → System → Remote Desktop → Remote Login).
- By default, windows are now placed in the center of the screen (the old mode can be returned in the configurator - Appearance → Windows → New Window Placement).
- By default, multimedia is used for working with sound. server PipeWire.
- A new set of system sounds is enabled by default.
Source: opennet.ru
