Exploring the Windows-like Linux distros ChaletOS and Zorin OS
Updates
You are advised to bring the system up to date after installation, because Ubuntu 14.04 is already quite out of date. Just click System Tools | Administration | Software Updater. The system searches for updated packages in the repositories and suggests these packages for installation. You can launch the update by clicking Install Now (Figure 8).
Figure 8: Thanks to update management, you can keep the system up to date with a few clicks of your mouse.
Windows Software
Like ChaletOS, Zorin OS offers the Wine run-time environment for Windows programs, integrated by default. It also provides the Gecko and Mono add-on packages, so you do not need to download them manually. Additionally, Zorin OS has PlayOnLinux at its disposal as a graphical front end for Wine.
As with ChaletOS, complex software packages still overwhelm the Wine environment. Various reference works function smoothly, but Wine was stumped by Encyclopaedia Britannica, which as an intricately designed interface filled with a large array of multimedia content.
Conclusion
ChaletOS and Zorin OS demonstrate the versatility of Linux. Both systems make emigrating from Windows easy, and in many cases, the pre-installed Wine compatibility software allows you to use the Windows programs you still need. ChaletOS and Zorin OS let Windows defectors get used to Linux without a lot of special training.
Infos
- ChaletOS: https://sites.google.com/site/chaletoslinux/home
- Zorin OS: http://ZorinOS.com
- PlayOnLinux: https://www.playonlinux.com/en/
- ChaletOS forum: http://chaletos.info
- ChaletOS on Google+: https://plus.google.com/communities/108630943169932456503
« Previous 1 2 3
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
US / Canada
UK / Australia
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Plasma 6.3 Ready for Public Beta Testing
Plasma 6.3 will ship with KDE Gear 24.12.1 and KDE Frameworks 6.10, along with some new and exciting features.
-
Budgie 10.10 Scheduled for Q1 2025 with a Surprising Desktop Update
If Budgie is your desktop environment of choice, 2025 is going to be a great year for you.
-
Firefox 134 Offers Improvements for Linux Version
Fans of Linux and Firefox rejoice, as there's a new version available that includes some handy updates.
-
Serpent OS Arrives with a New Alpha Release
After months of silence, Ikey Doherty has released a new alpha for his Serpent OS.
-
HashiCorp Cofounder Unveils Ghostty, a Linux Terminal App
Ghostty is a new Linux terminal app that's fast, feature-rich, and offers a platform-native GUI while remaining cross-platform.
-
Fedora Asahi Remix 41 Available for Apple Silicon
If you have an Apple Silicon Mac and you're hoping to install Fedora, you're in luck because the latest release supports the M1 and M2 chips.
-
Systemd Fixes Bug While Facing New Challenger in GNU Shepherd
The systemd developers have fixed a really nasty bug amid the release of the new GNU Shepherd init system.
-
AlmaLinux 10.0 Beta Released
The AlmaLinux OS Foundation has announced the availability of AlmaLinux 10.0 Beta ("Purple Lion") for all supported devices with significant changes.
-
Gnome 47.2 Now Available
Gnome 47.2 is now available for general use but don't expect much in the way of newness, as this is all about improvements and bug fixes.
-
Latest Cinnamon Desktop Releases with a Bold New Look
Just in time for the holidays, the developer of the Cinnamon desktop has shipped a new release to help spice up your eggnog with new features and a new look.