I really like this O.P.
I cannot express how well worded I find it to be.
And suggesting a good strong viable alternative, as well.
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This is a pretty good idea. I love Firefox, VSCode and Samsung because of their choices to synchronize settings across platforms. Mail service would be a nice addition.
This would possibly bring more businesses and organizations if such things were available. It would definitely give red hat a run and possibly open Linux into more market share. Then the Zorin's could possibly employ a few technical support specialists (Aravisian). 
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I could be wrong reading the O.P., but I gather the intent of the suggestion is to increase Zorin OS productivity, not ruin it.
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You're to modest, and you know it!
In all seriousness though, this would possibly help them get beyond the handful of people company they operate and expand into more of a service role with an employee base to assist with installations and troubleshooting.
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Great idea!
But I still have some more years to go before retiring.
I cannot be hired for sure.
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I can never understand how ANYONE can consider the donation (US dollars, Canadian, Euros...etc) as a BUNCH?
Not when you have spend 100s on M$, Apple, Lunch, a Movie, a date, Beer, etc...
This is rehashed to the point of absurd! You aren't strong-armed like M$ to update your system to use the latest and greatest from them. If you want something for free you have a choice. If you want to listen to a album you must purchase it unless you think people should just give you everything for free. Work a job then and do it for nothing that's the same thinking pattern.
ohhh they owe you
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I don't quite understand your argument.
We all volunteer here on a regular, helping zorin lovers and newbies alike with getting things working and configured as they want. This is actually something you get paid for in ms, apple and even red hat.
There are third party companies that pick up the slack (since red hat will only support its own distributions) for Ubuntu based Linux. System76 will only do popOS. Why shouldn't Zorin have its own helpdesk for pro users that is actually paid? All the distros also have forums where people help out, but why not increase employment opportunities and give pro users a little more "service" focused support, Instead of install support only?
Edit: after reading your post again i have a little more understanding.
Though OP used a bunch, his was praise not putting down the os. He even recognized that you pay more with any other os with less benefit.
His post was more to give pro users more value, even if it raises the cost a bit (if i understand it correctly) because it would be worth it and maybe convince more users and organisations to switch to Zorin.
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Yup. But sadly, though, Zorin OS itself needs more work, specially when GNOME "drops support for theming" with libadwaita.
It's just a suggestion for the future. I bet someone less tech savvy somewhere felt "scammed" when they found out the professional creative suite could be downloaded manually.
It won't be available to someone without pro. The repo isn't available to core users. The main reason to support Zorin is development. The four layouts, bundled free business quality applications and installation support from the devs are bonuses and should not be the focus of getting pro. You blindly paid hundreds to MS for a broken OS that sold your information and couldn't get software or support included. Anyone that feels cheated to get a stable, fast OS for free shouldn't be here.
The only problems with theming I've seen is that gnome keeps changing how themes are put together. That has nothing to do with zorin, that's all the DE.
The Zorin Group has worked diligently to fix gnome issues. Things work in zorin core/pro core because of their involvement, not despite of it
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The Pro creative suite can be downloaded manually. It is composed of Free Open source software.
Which makes perspectives on this interesting. I can see jorgi's point that some may feel scammed.
But I can also see why it is essential for Zorin OS to stick to FOSS: People really would be getting scammed if a Linux Distro stuck to Proprietary Software.
To me, this inclusion speaks of the open and honest nature of Zorin OS, certainly not to a scam. But how this information is presented makes a difference in how people perceive it.
On this forum, the nature of Pro as a donation and to support the Development of Zorin OS is regularly discussed; and the users reasons for choosing Pro.
Perhaps those off-site should do their homework instead of jumping to conclusions and assumptions.
https://forum.zorin.com/t/poll-reason-for-choosing-zorin-pro/11720/36
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Or even worse someone that as you put it "someone less tech savvy" attempted to install manually but couldn't because they didn't know how and trusted someone else to help and screwed their computer up.
Your beating a dead horse
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The current Poll results are interesting. As it is, the majority leans heavily toward support for the current system.
From a psychological standpoint, there is a possibility of a Skewed Poll Result.
This question is being asked on a forum largely populated by Zorin OS Users and Supporters.
Given that they have already chosen Zorin OS and many have chosen to Support Development, they already had their reasons for doing so prior to this question. The verbiage of the question is unlikely to change their mind.
This actually detracts from the suggestions you offered as possible future direction for Zorin OS. Given the poll results, it would appear that these suggestions are not wanted or are not viable.
This may not be the case.
It may be that the poll itself sets users on the defensive.
I would recommend closing out the poll and letting the topic ride on the merit of its ideas, instead.
Nonetheless, the results do show that here; Users are happy to support Zorin OS for the value it already gives them, with an excellent operating system, an opener into Linux as a whole and Fine Development.
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There is a reason why I'm replying you from my Zorin OS desktop and have Zorin on my laptop too. But the thing is: the thought process from the people who might see Zorin as a scam (not me, I think Zorin OS Pro conveniences are great) is that the features can be also gotten for free. The only divide between Core and Pro users are really the layouts in Zorin Appearances, the backgrounds and the fact you supported the developers.
Philosophically that's for sure, but this idea about software freedom is nowhere to be seen in the Pro page. That is probably why some people outside to Zorin criticised the Pro edition as a whole.
But honestly, if people don't want cloud sync features or any of that jazz then they can throw the idea at the bin or just reconsider it way later in the future.
I do agree with jorgi42. Part of the problem with switching from one os to another is knowing nothing about it. While you're points are valid, the Linux community can't do things on the basis of how someone may feel about it.
Do you think that the people who opened convenience stores worried about how it would make people feel to price gouge in the name of convenience? Some loved it, others dislike it and yet others won't go near them because of the prices.
The Zorin's do a hell of a job maintaining, improving and fixing some of the major things wrong with Linux for new comers. One way they do this is to provide vetted software without making you look, research and decide what will work for what you want to do. That's huge for new comers.
Let's be honest, the themes are purely ascetic and only lend more familiarity with a different os. The "need" arises from being shown the next iteration of a broken os and they are brainwashed to conform. This is a major problem. The win11 layout offers no additional ease of use or functionality unless you are on a tablet or touch screen pc. And this is only mimicking apple with slightly different graphics. Personally i feel this is a distracting place to put things because it is guaranteed to interrupt whatever you are doing with everything centered. Like the os manufacturer is saying they deserve more of your attention then the purpose of what you are using this "tool" for.
Part of the problem is users and expectations that everything should be similar, so it's easier on them, so they don't have to learn. Android didn't get popular until the masses learned how to use it. Windows and Mac were the same. Now the growth in simplicity in Linux has made it an option (though not yet a popular one). So people are looking at it, but because ms has said they are looking at integrating it. So now that a major organization gets lazy/smart (depending on your POV) it is something that has some curious. With that curiosity though comes that expectation that it should be simple and the same. Nothing about a computer is simple, not even it's use.
The Zorin Group has done a wonderful job in trying to ease the transition, but they shouldn't make it like anything else, that defeats the purpose of both their distribution and Linux.
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Sure. Wasn't asking them to strictly copycat Windows or Mac, just add some quality cloud features present in other software really.
They are literally selling themselves as the replacement for mac and Windows, and offering close experiences to those... But anyways, that was not my point either...
I think Harveys wording is spot on, actually.
Let's look closely at the Zorin Website wording:
The alternative to Windows and macOS designed to make your computer faster, more powerful, secure, and privacy-respecting.
Alternative to, not replacement.
The Zorin Appearance app lets you change the desktop layout to feel like the environment you're familiar with, whether it's Windows, macOS, or Linux.
A familiar environment - so users feel comfortable. This does not mean a Windows Replacement, either. It means, a familiar environment on Linux.
You mentioned hearing what other people say, in other places. I think it makes sense that those words would be in your head. That is the nature of influence and how people influence how others think.
However, from the horses mouth, we see that Zorin OS is not selling itself as a replacement for Windows that emulates Windows, but as an alternative to Windows or Mac OS by providing a more familiar environment.
Even suggesting Wine as a compatibility layer to get some of those needed Windows apps.
You can get started and begin using Zorin OS without having to learn all about Linux.
This does not mean that a person won't ever have to learn. There's always a learning curve. But getting started without that pressure and stress is a pretty helpful and big deal.
Once started, once established, the learning can gradually take place as the user has more computing needs that need to be addressed. Not all at once and not at the beginning.
This is akin to On-the-job-training as opposed to taking a Crash Course to get the job.
Comparing Harveys rather short sentences to these long paragraphs, I am sure you can see that his description is accurate. Clearly, there is no Linux Distribution to be found that can be like Windows because they are two very different OS's.
But for many, Zorin OS is a Good Alternative that eases that transition by not having to learn everything just to get started.
While that may not have been your point... The misconception was raised and needed to be addressed.
Hopefully this is helpful and clarifying rather than defensive.
I like your suggestions in the O.P. They seem tuned to what we consider a Pro Version for a Working Environment.
I think aravisian@zorin-os.com has a nice ring to it. (EDIT: For all you ladies out there... that email address does not actually exist, so don't bother...)
And many gladly pay for Cloud storage.
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This is deviating from the main topic, as it wasn't my point: everyone has an opinion on this matter and I never said it was a replacement, I only pointed that out in this post as an example of Zorin not trying to be this unique niche OS (which is a good thing!)
Exactly! Something to get some new people in, something new to thank Pro users.
I thought it was a win-win but if people don't want it then Zorin Group should focus on seeing what to do with GNOME after libadwaita restricts everything
My proposal but this is off-topic, don't reply to this / point me to another thread
I'd propose a small fork to just bugfix stuff within current GNOME's version retaining extensions, as porting them to KDE/Cinnamon/MATE seems more of a headache
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I addressed this above in a post. I think that the nature of the Poll may skew the results.
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