If you were a developer on the Zorin OS team for one day, what would you change? 
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We all know... the first major thing I would change. So I won't rehash that here.
I would change the Release When Ready policy to be more open and communicated, allowing for buffer time to develop.
More like a construction crews Estimated Completion time, rather than a "You'll know when it happens."
I would expand the team.
I would set a roadmap in place.
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Switch the base OS to Debian. Screw Ubuntu. Either switch over to XFCE (with a new look; not like how Zorin "Lite" is), or get it together with GNOME and make sure it works right and is bug-free. I would establish a true Q&A process in which more time is spent finding and quashing bugs before release. No more Snaps. Just .DEBs and/or Flatpaks (but with a .DEB-only base). Make it a point to communicate, communicate, and communicate more with the Zorin community on a consistent basis. And as @Aravisian said, a roadmap would be a must. More development talent would help, too. All that is what I'd do if I was a developer for a day.
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I completely agree with you — the system should be based directly on Debian.
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But will @AZorin and @zorink do it? Doubt it, sadly. Honestly, I can see the writing on the wall for Ubuntu. And I do not like what I see.
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I copy you. I am also fan of the way which the team of Mint is going with LMDE:
Its goal is to ensure Linux Mint can continue to deliver the same user experience if Ubuntu was ever to disappear.
The fact that Ubuntu is
developed and maintained by the company Canonical
puts it into the risk of economic decisions or let's say the goodwill of Canonical.
Debian might be risky as well, as the community of
volunteer developers
might also fade out one day or lose their interest.
The more AI is starting to code the higher this risk becomes.
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Maybe adding COSMIC as desktop environment so that we can continue to use the icons of @Storm
(well, I still have to begin and install one of them, but which one? )
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I would switch my minds ridiculous SOP to not communicate with anyone, and I would start communicating with other's. For I believe, when knowledge is shared, everyone benefits.
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A little Thing, I would chage is to add the Mozilla-own Repo by default.
I would agree to switch to Debian - and add/activate the Debian Backports for the Case a User need a newer Kernel - of Course with Instructions.
Better Communication would be a Point, too. I don't think, it would be neccessary to overdue that. But some Updates what is in the current Development and what is planed to be fixed.
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I would have a picker during the installation or Welcome screen. And if Firefox is selected, then i agree - it implements the repo not the Snap version.
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If I were a developer I'd
- make XOrg the default setting
- pre-install nautilus admin
- pre-install gnome extension manager, gnome tweaks and dconf-editor
- I would integrate a help page into the operating system that provides all the instructions for installing the most common browsers in the native .deb package format
- I would add filter rules to gnome software so that you can set which package formats should be displayed
- I would put the .deb packages at the top of gnome software and by default I'd only show .deb packages
- I would have a pop-up appear with instructions on how to install flatseal whenever a Flatpak is installed
- I would put a detailed guide for network share, playing games and package management into the Zorin tour
- I would prevent snaps being installed with apt commands
- I would add a delay to the integrated screenshot function
- I would add a user manual to the OS
- I would use Arc menu instead of Zorin menu so that users can customize their start menu
- I would communicate in the forum
For Zorin Lite:
- I would integrate a night light function for Zorin Lite.
- I would add the zorinappgridlite plugin
- I would design a more visually appealing default theme with larger icons in the taskbar and offer more layouts in the Zorin appearance
- I would install Whisker-Menu as default
- I would add the custum action "open as root" to thunar
- I'd keep Zorin lite with XFCE desktop
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In respect of Debian there are alternatives. A substantial amount of Debian devs left years ago to form Devuan because of Debian's adoption of systemd. PCLOS Debian makes it clear that has no connection with Debian but uses its repos, but uses sysvinit, not systemd and comes with multiple different DE's, budgie, Cinnamon, MATE, KDE Plasma, xfce.
So I would use a Debian/Devuan base, APT and .deb only, xorg/Xlibre, and have multiple themes available like Q4OS does and perhaps make a donation link more prominent.
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Gnome has dropped X, so I wouldn't default to X.
Zorin Lite won't get any love. I don't think Lite 18 will be made, it's just on security updates until its base LTS is no longer supported: 2028. Then bye-bye. Understandable but it's a real shame, because it is probably single nicest XFCE Linux out there.
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The ZorinGroup specifically stated that it would be.
Gnome dropped X11 preciously. Having other Distro's support it catches all those many people, including a large volume of Zorin OS users, that need X11 for computers and software to function.
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Lite: Is 18 the last one? I understood it as 17 would be supported until 2028 but that was it. Perhaps I mis-understood.
OK, but why default to it? When did it stop being Gnome's default?
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Yes:
Zorin OS 17 and 18 default to Wayland.
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Probably, I wouldn't be able to change anything in a single day. But there are many good options mentioned above what to change in general like a roadmap and switch to Debian. It would also be nice to have Firefox as the default browser again (with the official Mozilla repo enabled).
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I agree. I think switching to Brave was a bit of a knee-jerk reaction.
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If there was on thing I would change and that is the menu system.
However, upon reflection I have come to the realisation that the menus aren't bad at all, in fact they are rather good. My beef is with Alacarte which is the standard Zorin tool for customising the menus.
I used ClassicShell (now OpenShell) on a windows box for many years - to the point I can't remember what a standard Windows 8 user interface even looked like!! Used it on a Win 10 box as well!! ClassicShell was easy to set up and maintain the program shortcuts to your preferences and it was a pleasure to use.
Alacarte not quite so, in fact not at all. I know the gnome menu structure has it's limitations (especially overlapping local and system settings) but it shouldn't be this difficult to just edit a treeview structure list. Shielding the user from the intricacies of the system should involve an elegant programming interface, not simply hiding stuff behind a bland front end which has been deemed too complicated for them and not offering any options.
(I have seen Libre-Menu which is an improvement but it still has issues).
Cheers,
Reg.
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I would fix the fact that enabling autohide for the taskbar breaks the ability to right click items in the Zorin menu. Breaks the taskbar calendar's ability to change months too.
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