How to change task bar menu type and more Zorin 16 pro

[Tink]

Blockquote Yes, it was a general statement. Sorry, I was not very clear in my wording.
I have also talked with Artyom Zorin about my own position that Gnome is not a good starting Desktop Environment for migrants from Windows- He disagrees with some good points of his own in Gnomes favor.
It can be very confusing in Linux, as Linux moves at a much faster pace than Windows Does. With new releases being a year or so apart in Linux and four or five years apart in Linux.
But yes, that is why we are here- to help reduce confusion and to encourage learning.

So sorry!! I took your tone as meaning something other. I completely apologize! Yes, I can attest that Gnome is the least friendly, least intuitive, and plain difficult to work with.

I so want to learn Linux and hopefully never go back to Windows. I'm so done with the rein of big corp. I do hear you on your suggestion to go look at the lite version, but I actually paid for the Pro so now I'm stuck with it, like it or not, lol.

[Storm]

When lite pro comes you get it for free because you paid for this one.

[FrenchPress]

@Tink

I do hear you on your suggestion to go look at the lite version, but I actually paid for the Pro so now I'm stuck with it, like it or not, lol.

I think you can install XFCE desktop on top of GNOME. XFCE is way easy to customize.

[Aravisian]

@Tink

I so want to learn Linux and hopefully never go back to Windows. I'm so done with the rein of big corp. I do hear you on your suggestion to go look at the lite version, but I actually paid for the Pro so now I'm stuck with it, like it or not, lol.

Oh no, not at all. Zorin Pro comes with Zorin OS Pro Lite.

Lite is still in development for Zorin OS 16, but you will get a notification and a download link from ZorinGroup once it is released.

That being said... You can have it all, right now, if you want.
We can install the XFCE4 desktop on your system and get you all configured-- that way when Zorin OS 16 Lite is released, you need only add the Zorin Desktop portions. If you are interested, I can walk you through the process.

[FrenchPress]

@Storm

When lite pro comes

Will that come with XFCE though?

[Aravisian]

Yes, Lite PRo is XFCE4 desktop. The only question is if it will be XFCE 4.14 or 4.16. I suspect 4.16. But we can handle both.

Per below: I have been running XFCE4 4.16 on Zorin OS 16 beta this entire time. It is available in the Testing branch.

[FrenchPress]

@Aravisian

XFCE 4.14 or 4.16

XFCE 4.16!
I was waiting for that for a long time

@Aravisian

It is available in the Testing branch.

Thanks for this info!
I love the new icon set of XFCE 4.16.
They are absolutely cute!

[Tink]

Thanks @Storm , but that's the problem. The default layout is the only one that has the menu I want. But I want to use the template with the dash dock, in which case the taskbar shifts to the top and becomes greyed out in the settings. That particular taskbar provides only a mini menu with no way to change it... or is there?

[Storm]

Have you tried Dash to dock extension?

https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/307/dash-to-dock/

[FrenchPress]

@Storm

Dash to dock extension?

That awfully looks like the mac layout I am using now.

[Storm]

Zorin Dash is based upon it.

[Aravisian]

Yep, and it already came installed with the O.P.'s copy of Zorin OS pro.

[FrenchPress]

@Storm

Zorin Dash is based upon it.

Ah no wonder.
Yet another Zorin secret I did not Know.

[Tink]

@Aravisian OMG, yes PLEASE!!

But first, the big question... is XFCE compatible with Hidpi? That's what Linux Mint uses and screen resolution consistency was a nightmare. I then switched to Manjaro KDE and that was great but the os was way to glitchy/unstable.

So far, Zorin Pro with gnome has been the only one to offer both Hidpi and stability.

[FrenchPress]

@Tink

I then switched to Manjaro KDE and that was great but the os was way to glitchy/unstable.

Been there done that before I gave up on it.

[Aravisian]

@Tink

That's what Linux Mint uses and screen resolution consistency was a nightmare.

I have a huge amount of respect for the Linux Mint developers - we agree far more often than we disagree. The forums are often a great go-to source for help and information.
That being said...
Yes, XFCE does support HiDPI and it does so pretty well, normally. Perhaps something went sideways previously.
This suggests you may be better off with XFCE 4.16.
HiDPI support was first introduced to XFCE in version 4.14.

[Tink]

Have you tried Dash to dock extension?
Dash to Dock - GNOME Shell Extensions

@Storm Yes, I believe so. I installed all the extensions at once through terminal. The option for the dash is in Gnome Tweak. But when I am on the default template and enable the dash on Gnome Tweak, it simply won't stay enabled.

Maybe I should try installing it again via the link you provided.

[Aravisian]

Tink, it may be productive for you to keep this thread going with @Storm exploring learning and managing the Gnome Desktop.
If you could please start a new Thread under General Help "Installing XFCE 4.16 on Zorin Core" where we can also take a stroll through XFCE on Zorin OS to see how that exploration can help you.

[Storm]

It works on mine.

[Tink]

This suggests you may be better off with XFCE 4.16.
HiDPI support was first introduced to XFCE in version 4.14.

I agree. 4.16 may be better. The issue was with other apps not playing nicely with XFCE. They just ignore it's setting. Certain apps like VirtualBox and many more need individual tweaks to display properly in it. I'm nervous to switch, tbh because I've been at this for a week trying to get a properly functioning laptop on Linux. It's interfering with work. Gah!