Hi, I'm currently a Windows user and I truly want to move to Linux and have tried a variety of distros, but Zorin catches my eye. I really like the possibility of being able to install Adobe Photoshop & Illustrator and some other apps that I use. However, that's not a deal breaker.
What is though, for me, is productivity. I really like how Windows can be configured so that applications that are running on a specific monitor only show up on the taskbar for that monitor. This ability really helps me as I tend to have a variety of applications going while doing development. I've tried numerous distros, and have yet to find one that can do this. However, I could be missing something.
I previously tried Zorin OS 16 by first booting from an USB and was excited, but it didn't even load up my additional two monitors that are connected via a Thunderbolt 4 dock via Display Port. Other distros, specifically the version of Ubuntu that Zorin 17 is based off of, has no trouble with the dock.
I understand that not all functionality would work with Live Boot, but didn't go ahead and purchase Zorin 16 Pro because I wanted to wait until Zorin 17 as there's a lot of new features.
So, does anyone know how Zorin 17 handles applications and task bars on all monitors?
I'd really appreciate anyone who can comment on this. I just don't want to purchase it and then try to request a refund. I feel my use case may be somewhat niche, and a refund for that would be somewhat unfair to the team who put it together.
I cannot vouch for Core...
But as a Zorin OS Lite user, I can vouch for having individual and separate taskbars (panels) on all three monitors. In one instance I had five taskbars.
I'm not entirely sure and I can't test this right now, and probably won't until after the holiday season, but there is a setting for the taskbar to disassociate the programs that are run for each monitor. I believe it's under Zorin Appearance -> Interface -> Taskbar Settings -> Position:
Display panels on all monitors
Apply changes to all monitors
and under the Behavior tab:
Ungroup applications
I don't have multiple monitors to test this so some of these settings are disabled for me. But I seem to remember that on ZorinOS 16 that was the case. The taskbar has been redesign and some settings are different, so I don't know from the top of my head.
So, I went ahead and finally got Zorin Pro and... it's growing on me. I can't figure out anyway to make it so that applications only show up on the appropriate taskbar on the monitor where the app is running. I have turned on launched new instances and tried various GNOME extensions (most made no changes). I can't determine if it's because Zorin 17 is running an older version of Ubuntu or if it's because it's a "special flavor". I tried a suggestion from reddit, but the app (dconf) couldn't be found.
There are some other issues, a lot related to the app store and the older version of Ubuntu... where I just found the experience to be a bit nicer in newer versions of Ubuntu or ElementaryOS or Linux Mint. Zorin does have some nifty niche features, the main of which I haven't tested yet... and that's running some Windows apps.
You can install dconf by running sudo apt install dconf-editor but this suggestion will not work as it refers to Workspaces which is not the same as physical monitors. A Workspace is a virtual desktop, you can cycle through them with Ctrl + Alt + →, which you can use to achieve the effect you want. However, it may turn out to be a little confusing with so many monitors; you'd have to try and decide for yourself if it's worth it.