So, I'm not demeaning those who are willing to learn, that is, Linux users. All I said about users was "programmer," and as far as I know, that word isn't offensive or derogatory. If someone calls me a programmer, I wouldn't find it offensive.
And I don't know how Linux users could avoid the terminal when I had to use it to install Firefox (not to configure neural networks, but to install the browser), since the usual "download and run the installation file" method doesn't work.
Am I ready to learn? I haven't found a book called "How to Use Windows Applications on Linux" or "How to Set Up Linux, and I have Windows experience." A book can be mastered in 1-2 weeks, and that's acceptable. Instead, I see many, many isolated articles by different users solving a narrow problem and not providing fundamental knowledge. And learning from articles and video tutorials can take years.
I've already tried learning microcontroller programming through articles and tutorials from the Arduino community, but it didn't work. But once I read the relevant literature, everything became clear.
You have something better than a book.
This interactive forum.
Instead of posting, "I can't do this." Post, "How can I accomplish this?"
It is perfectly acceptable to create multiple threads on multiple issues.
A point: You do not have to use the terminal; But I strongly recommend that you do. When I first transitioned over, I already was familiar with the cmd prompt in WIndows OS, but I still balked at the terminal. Once I let go of that, my world got a whole lot easier. It is fast, accurate and efficient. So you do not have to use it; I recommend using it.
I don't do anything that requires intensive graphic use with VBox. If you experiment with the VBox and find it just can't do the graphics work that you need it to do, then you may have to settle with the spyware known as Windows. Linux works for most people for everyday use - but most people aren't rendering 3D graphics either. I've edited graphics files that were up to 20 MB or so in size in VBox without any trouble (designing a 20' sign for a business), but that was 2D not 3D. Best of luck to you!
And as a genius you will tell me that the very first time you used Windows you known everything, cmd, registry, settings...
Sorry if you are so smart and nobody understand you, I'm going to cry in another room for you...
Hello, I am Pioneer on this topic and need to have solution for organisations over 1000 employees how to avoid potential issues with Windows going forward, this is commercial solution. Zorin will make few Euros seling Intune compatible versions, trust me.
Thank you for moderating this @Aravasian. Everyone, I understand why some of us are pushing back. But just because someone lashes out doesn't mean we are the target. Yes, if feels offensive, but we don't need to be offended. There is much in what he says. I don't agree with all of it. I don't feel warm and cozy from the way he says it. But he is still hanging with us. Let's engage.
From the O.P.'s perspective, he came into this, bought Pro (paid money) with expectations. Some of this is not his fault; Marketing and YouTube Videos that gloss over details...
From the established members perspective; they are seeing that frustration blanketed across the very users that have successfully deployed GnuLinux for personal use and as hardened workstations. And just as REB vented, they are starting to vent, too.
This is where the O.P. @REB can shift tactics.
Rather than submitting a complaint about not knowing how to perform the set up of his software, seek methods and tutorials on how to achieve his goal.
In this way, users cannot feel targeted. And REB can gain answers and solutions rather than retorts or sympathy.
Hi @REB , If you are still here you can check out the Unofficial Manual for Zorin 18 Core.
With regards to Virtual Machines, virt-manager is far superior than Virtual Box as USB 3 support on VB never worked for me, and additionally you can redirect USB storage and devices to a VM on the fly which would include your Wacom Tablet. Just remember you cannot allocate more than half your physical RAM. I believe that it should be possible to allocate a second PCIe Graphics card tto be dedicated to a VM but this is something I have not had success with and especially after I gave my second monitor to my youngest who had been using 20" TV/Monitor.
As someone once wrote on another forum, more advanced than me, (never coded or programmed, but foolishly just as I was getting accustomed to the Amiga Shell CLI I bought my first Windows PC) wrote: "At least with (GNU/)Linux I know what is going on under the hood".
In terms of Office Suites, SoftMaker Office offers a far better product than MSOffice as I used it during lockdown and beyond working from home until I retired. The only office application that cannot be bettered is Microsoft Excel and that is down to the fact that it is closed source and copyrighted, so advanced functions in Excel cannot be replicated in any other available spreadsheet program. Can you imagine how backward engineering with mathematics would be if the Abacus had been copyrighted?
@Reb: Not a joke, nor an intentional scam. But look at the website. Whether it means to be or not, it is deceptive:
It says "Zorin OS is the alternative to Windows." True. But for you and others, the connotation of that statement reads as "Zorin replaces Windows".
The very first blurb says “...I don’t really anticipate a learning curve for new users.” As in users coming from Windows? That's nuts. But that's the implication.
And then there is: "A familiar desktop you already know how to use" Define "know how to use." The implication of that statement is largely false for the Windows user.
And this one "Zorin OS is designed to be easy, so you don't need to learn anything to get started." Ok, what does that mean: "get started?" Who knows. And although not intended to mean, "designed to be easy so you don't need to learn anything.." that is what sticks in the hind brain. Ah, marketing!
And then there are the many breathless reviews that magnify such statements into hyperbole.
Reb, this forum almost never hears from the Zorin brothers. You may expect that developers would monitor this forum and so read your pointed remarks. That may be true, but we have no evidence one way or the other.
As for continuing with Windows, just in case you don't know about it already, have you heard of a resource called WinUtils by Chris Titus? First rate utility for stripping Windows down to its essentials, installing programs, tightening security and privacy, etc. etc.
No, I had left Zorin before then. There was not too much difference between 15 and 16 so you could take a look at that:
Someone did ask before in a DM and I said that because it was created under Creative Commons means anyone can alter it to 16 and add any differences/changes should they want to.
@wsmather I am in no way a 'power user' of my computer - after having used IT at work, when I got home I wanted to relax, so when I was working my home use was usually for relaxation.
I used Windows from W95 through to W7 - and continued way after support ended with no discernable problems.
However, after experience with family members W8 and W10, I realised I needed to find an alternative and started looking at various options, some of which I 'got on with', some I didn't.
Then, @swarfendor437 suggested Zorin, and I found a system that worked, almost 'out of the box' for me.
Yes, it was a bit of a learning curve, but nothing strenuous, and I moved 5 years ago - and what a breath of fresh air!
For most everyday stuff, Linux + VirtualBox is more than enough, but for more specific use cases you’ll sometimes have to make compromises. This is especially true for 3D work or anything GPU-heavy, where VM performance can be pretty limited. If that kind of workload really matters to you, it’s worth looking into dual-boot or even GPU passthrough if your hardware supports it.
All operating linux system distribution never will be like a windows. The philosophy is another way for people who choice freedom but everyone know the linux foundation sleeping in the same bed with google and etc.
I agree virt-manager is considered more powerful, but it takes more time to get it set up (especially folder sharing access). I suggested VBox since that's where I started and it helped me not feel overwhelmed at the beginning. I've not had a problem with USB 3 in VB, but I also never had to do much more than print via USB.
The first time I used Windows, I was 11 years old, and it was Windows 95. I was happy that I could run DOOM without the command line. Yes, I knew the command line, because my previous OS was MS-DOS 6.22 on a computer with a 486DX and 16MB of RAM. I even still have a book on MS-DOS. My first computer was a Leningrad (a Soviet clone of the ZX Spectrum), but I only knew how to run games on it. Now I'm a 40-year-old skuf who knows carbureted motorcycles all too well and can't switch to an electric one, uses a Beretta 92 because I don't trust the Barbie-Gun, curses cell phone providers for not being able to use my beloved old BlackBerry, and is trying to switch to Linux after 29 years of using Windows.
Laugh or cry—it's your choice. I'm too old for this to offend or anger me =))))