14 DAY TRIAL // Zorin OS 5 has been released. This Linux distro is based on Ubuntu 11.04, but comes with plenty of changes and customizations to make it suitable to its intended audience, users new to Linux which may be turned off by an operating system that looks and feels very different from what they've been used to.
Zorin OS 5 Core and Zorin OS 5 Ultimate are now available, bringing updated packages as well as several new features and improvements, such as new themes and artwork.
The team also created simpler application names and worked to make the apps more intuitive to users switching over to Linux.
"The Zorin OS Team are proud to release Zorin OS 5 Core and Ultimate which bring a lot of new and enhanced features to Zorin OS, our operating system designed specifically for Windows users," Artyom Zorin announced.
"This release utilizes the GNOME 2.X Classic environment instead of Ubuntu’s Unity shell. We have included new features such as an installer welcome video, a new theme and updated artwork, simplified application names, updated software and many program changes to improve and simplify the user experience," he explained.
Zorin OS 5 is based on the latest Ubuntu 11.04, but chose to use the classic GNOME 2.x-based desktop environment rather than the newly introduced Unity, or perhaps GNOME 3.
The reason is obvious, since this is aimed mostly at former Windows users, desktop environments that look strange to even veteran Linux users are not going to be a great choice.
Along with the custom themes and modified apps, one of the main appeals of Zorin OS are the custom applications that make life easier for new users.
"We also include our innovative Zorin Look Changer, Zorin Internet Browser Manager, Zorin Background Plus (Premium versions only) and other programs from our earlier versions," Zorin added.
Zorin OS 5 32-bit and 64-bit versions are available for download here on Softpedia.