Funding proposed Debian base for Zorin OS

Ok, I know I am very new to Linux. I am learning. I am trying to read through these. When I was looking for a distro. Fedora popped up. But it did say that is a ARM not a Debian based. I know from my research that Debian is easier to install software. I heard Fedoras is more for developers, but everyday people can use it. I understand about Snap. I have run into trouble trying to use it. Can someone please explain to me why moving from Ubuntu maybe is a big hype of an idea?

Ubuntu is based on Debian.

Zorin OS is based on Ubuntu. So your question is a good one. What would be the big deal about cutting out the middle man?

I can summarize the entire chain in One Word: Inheritance.

Zorin OS Inherits what Debian and Ubuntu combined have to offer. This includes desktop modifications; but also decisions and defaults.
If the heir, in this case, Zorin OS, does not want to inherit something from the parent system, they must manually go into the packages, source what they want and remove the links to the things they do not.
If they want something that is not included with the parent, they must source it and add it in.

It may seem simpler to step to Debian as One Inheritance chain. But, all that Ubuntu has to offer, including kernel patches, security patches and other additions made by the Canonical Ubuntu teams will be lost or need adding back in.
On the flip side:
Canonical is radical about Snap packages and underhandedly replacing standard packages with Snaps without notification. Combined with many other controversies regarding Privacy and Trust - there is a strong argument to make that moving away from Ubuntu and Canonical is the correct choice.

While for the End User, the switch is worthwhile; for the ZorinGroup, it is more work.
Ubuntu brings later packages, Subiquity installer, HWE kernels, backported software; A lot of things that make it easier to reach a broader base. While Debian is absurdly stable, Ubuntu is cutting edge with just enough stability to lure in more users on newer hardware.
Canonical employs Hundreds of Engineers that manage this.

Could Zorin OS switch to Debian and host their own Universe Repository?
Yes.
Importantly, the ZorinGroup has publicly acknowledged this ability - they have not taken the idea off of the table.
But it is a big deal because it changes the Base Infrastructure and a chunk of the packaging.
It is a big deal also because it provides a more secure and user friendly experience for the end user - provided backporting and HWE kernels are shipped in.

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Thank you for explaining, which was great how you did it. I get it. If ZorinGroup did this. This could put them on the next level. I have dealt with Snaps before and ran into trouble. This would be a lot more work for them. But they can do it. If this takes place. Do you think all of us could do an upgrade within our own systems without doing a full install again? I am just thinking about doing a boot drive and download again. Which wasn't great for me. I get that the work load would be much greater to change over. Most of us download Core which is free. The Pro version pays for this type of stuff. What if the ZorinGroup wanted to do this, due to the work load. And all of us were on board with it. And what if ZorinGroup put the word out. We could all band together and donate something. If that was the case. Not everybody can do the same. But we are a community.

A bit like a fundraiser action.
It is feasible.
It would require extensive public facing from the ZorinGroup.

It would clarify how much support is present for the idea.
Bear in mind, I would rate the likelihood of the ZorinGroup changing the Zorin OS base is Very Low at the current time.
It would take strong encouragement from Zorin OS users as a whole.

That said, they have done it before. As well as switched Zorin OS Lite's entire D.E. base before.

You are a community leader. I am still new to this. You have more abilities. Is there a way to make the post of my question and your response, and my idea, then your response about a fundraiser. To be more out there so more people can see it?

I have created a new thread with your referenced posts - this makes you the O.P. of this new thread. (You're a leader, now. :wink: )

The purpose of this thread is to propose with more serious consideration that the ZorinGroup considers a more stable and secure base for Zorin OS in the future (After Zorin OS 19).

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A vote maybe ?
By the way thank you for your great analyze about shifting to pure debian

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I already made a Voting - no official one of Course. Only for Curiosity:

ARM is a CPU Architecture. Fedora is it's own. That isn't based on something.

Here, I would say, it depends what You use. I personally use the Debian Live Images when I install Debian and not the default Image. The good for me is: It has a Live Mode to take a Look at it and for Install, it uses the so called Calamares Installer. Maybe not the best-looking Intstaller but sold and does the Job.

the defualt Debian Image doesn't have both. And the Installer ... I don't really like the Handling of it. I find it awful.

The old Fedora Installer, I didn't liked, too. To work with it was everytime ... like a Visit by a Dentist.

At least for the HWE Kernels and backported Software, Debian could compensate it. Debian has the Debian Backports Repo where You can find more up-to-date Packages including newer Kernel Version - what would be good for People who need it. And by default Debian runs with regular LTS Kernels.

One big Downside would be Nvidia Drivers.

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I would be OK if Zorin stuck with Ubuntu, but ONLY if they made deliberate choices to provide non-transitional .DEB packages in place of whatever "transitional" packages Ubuntu has in place for 26.04. Like how Linux Mint does. Or Pop!_OS. Then I would actually be okay with Ubuntu as the base that way (also as long as Snaps can be disabled). But the vast preference is that they move to Debian, of course. And get serious about fixing bugs in Zorin OS.

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That explains Fedora and "ARM" thank you for explaining.

I had thought about a voting system or polling. But I did not even know if that was possibly. Me being down here on the Totem Poll.

15 posts were split to a new topic: Desktop modification musings (Tangent)

My understanding the issue with Debian is that the stable branch does not have all the latest hardware due to them prioritizing stability over latest kernel updates. Ubuntu which is based on Debian has solved that with the Hardware Enablement packages which allows Ubuntu to provide newer Linux kernel and graphics stack versions on LTS versions. If Zorin OS were to go this route they could theoretically use Debian testing instead of stable for newer kernel versions but would likely encounter more bugs they would need to fix. If anybody has anything to add or correct anything I said feel free to.

I am still learning about the Kernel. I was in a thread with @Aravisian. I said I was shy about bringing the kernel up. Being New. It was explained to me. The Kernel was like the spine of Linux. Connecting all things.

No problem I get that I am getting used to Linux as well.

That explanation ties into @toolman1990's point and that is a valid point, as well.
Debian does not do the HWE kernel modifications that Ubuntu does.

If Zorin OS used Debian as a base, they would also need to patch in that HWE pipe, to ensure that later hardware is supported. It is a matter of tapping that repository; The ZorinGroup would not need to write the kernel themselves.

But as the backbone of the system, clear why this is a very important consideration if Zorin OS wants to reach the broadest audience.

With Debian as Base, they would have the HWE Kernels. That is true. But on Debian, You could compensate that with the Option to install a newer Kernel through the Debian Backports.

But the Nvidia Drivers are a Topic. Because there aren't even newer one's on the Backports. So, Zorin would have to add them over their own Repos. Which means more work for them.

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Can someone explain HWE Kernels. Still shy, and learning about the Kernel. I do take this as not a Popcorn Kernel, Right :grinning_face:

Newer hardware can include added code, since later hardware seeks to Sell To Buyers. In order to make a product have market appeal, it needs to offer something new that the old did not. This is not always the case, but by and large, later hardware seeks to offer new features.
New features bring extra code to run those features.

This code - as drivers or other - must be integrated into the Linux Kernel for it to work.
In such a case, a later kernel would be needed for later hardware, if that hardware does contain the need.
If it does not need it, then adding the later kernel is actually just... unused bloat.

HWE - HardWare Enablement kernel is a separate line from the LTS kernel that offers these later kernels on the LTS system.

Salted and buttered is not currently offered. Cheapskate developers.

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Thank you, For explaining.