I watched this video and they were calling out ZorinOS lack of structural organization.
I never really thought about it until this video.
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YouTux's points are well reasoned, logical and grounded.
Sadly, this is a truth both we and the ZorinGroup have confronted time and time again here on this forum - I cannot say what they have experienced solely on the ZorinGroup communication side.
This is voiced not by detractors or biased persona's seeking retribution against Zorin OS - but by diehard fans and regular users.
The ZorinGroups silence echoes in the Hall of Distributions.
If someone pulled me aside and said, "Using only one word, the first word that comes to your mind without thought, describe the ZorinGroup."
That word would be "secretive."
Often, the concern is raised as to whether Zorin OS will be a long term project.
Often, it is asked, whether they will ever expand the team, in order to ensure longevity and growth.
We answer as best we can - but the ZorinGroup is silent.
And when they released a message, it was not an introduction to new team members.
It was to sunset an edition of Zorin OS, in order to reduce workload.
To users already asking about the stability and longevity of the project, this was a staggering announcement.
Those of use that vouched for the ZorinGroup, self included, felt betrayed.
The face of ZorinGroup is Artyom. He does the blogs. The interviews. He responds on the forum, albeit rarely.
He is the name seen on repository submissions.
To the point that... Most of us doubt that Kyrill Zorin is actively a part of the ZorinGroup at all. We dare not ask... partly because any answer has no evidence to bolster it.
It is often asked when releases can be reasonably expected. It is often asked when announced projects may come to fruition.
From Upgrader, releases to Grid, we wait in the dark, those of us on the forum filling the void with opinions and guesses... Or excuses.
Actions Speak Louder Than Words.
Through the years, Zorin OS has shown a rise in usage, expansion and has developed a number of applications independently. Such as the Zorin Menu, which was forked to create Arc Menu.
And the ZorinGroup donated funding to many other projects.
The ZorinGroup has read, quietly, and responded with system additions or changes based on user requests and suggestions.
The ZorinGroup actively spoke openly with the community in regards to changing the default web browser on Zorin OS.
The stability of Zorin OS has increased along with the over a decade and a half of it being in service.
These Matter.
Yet, for over 16 years, they have not adopted a model of transparency, organizational openness, solidifying communication or resolution over long term goals like Upgrader or Grid.
This leads to user doubts. Lack of trust.
It is not mean to point these things out. It is helpful, to them and to the users of Zorin OS.
It is beneficial - to make suggestions that support long term reliance on Zorin OS. To provide a solid foundation for the belief that Zorin OS will retain or grow its position and not become abandoned. Something more solid than, "because Aravisian on the Zorin Forum said so."
I also had said that they were not abandoning Zorin OS Lite in response to rumors - and then they did.
This, also, matters.
I watched that a couple of days ago and I too thought he was well reasoned in all of what he said. I have only been using Zorin since November and like it. I have watched a couple of interviews with Artyom and liked what I heard.
Two people, or one maybe, cannot do everything and meet all needs. The doers can't spend half their time talking or things wouldn't get done. But in human endeavors communication is essential. Understanding is a basic human need and things we involve ourselves in need to make sense to us and accord with our values.
I have the impression that Zorin is managed ethically and values are important, but I do not know this. I would like the reassurance of knowing.
The reality, based on the past behaviour, is things will mostly continue going on as they have done. And I will stay here until something happens to make me re-evaluate whether this is the place for me. I am certainly not drawn to the distro's fitting YouTux's, and my, criteria.
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Well, personally this makes no difference whatsoever to me. The important thing is that Zorin has introduced me to the first working Linux distro I've tried over many years. If it stops, I'll have enough experience to move to a different distro. Job done...