Zorin OS Educational is an open source Linux flavor engineered to be distributed and used in schools, universities, or any other educational facility. It is based on the highly acclaimed Ubuntu Linux operating system.
It is a totally free distribution of Linux that looks similar to the Windows 7/Vista operating systems from Microsoft. It is based on the Linux kernel architecture, so it is completely open source, which means that anyone can modify it and redistribute it.
Based on Ubuntu, distributed as 32-bit/64-bit Live DVDs
As mentioned, Zorin OS is based on Ubuntu OS, which has been declared as one of the most popular free operating system in the world. However, Zorin OS has been crafted to perfection welcoming all Windows users.
It is distributed as two Live DVD ISO images, supporting the 32-bit and 64-bit architectures, engineered to be deployed on USB thumb drives or blank DVD discs. Its boot menu looks identical with the one found on many other Zorin OS flavors.
Boot options
From the boot prompt you can start an existing operating system, run a memory test, as well as to install the operating system without testing it first (not recommended), or use the safe graphics mode in case the first option doesn’t recognise you video card.
Educational and default applications
Among the included educational applications, we can mention Celestia 3D space visualizer, GCompris educational suite, GeoGebra geometry and algebra software, Kanagram anagram creator, KBruch fraction calculator, as well as the Tux Math, Tux Paint and Tux Typing programs.
Default applications include the Google Chrome web browser, Mozilla Thunderbird email and news client, Empathy multi-protocol instant messenger, Calibre ebook library management software, LibreOffice office suite, GIMP image editor, and the FreeCAD and LibreCAD open source CAD applications.
Bottom line
Summing up, Zorin OS Educational is a very good alternative to the expensive Microsoft Windows operating systems, specifically engineered to be easy-to-use by students in various educational institutions.
