this post was submitted on 12 May 2025
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Linux
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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
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As others have said, there usually is no such thing, and if there is, your distro is probably practically a scam and you should find another.
What distro are you running?
Some legitimate distros may have extra support available for a cost, but that just means support, not extra features. Also, they sometimes have things like live patching, but that really is more an enterprise grade feature.
It's not a scam at all, Zorin is a good distro.
Personally, I dislike Zorin, but I can see your point. I didn't know it was Zorin at the time I I just find paywalling some FOSS stuff that isn't entirely yours very weird, and I also don't think users should touch almost anything Ubuntu-based, especially new ones. Mint might be the exception, but it's not to my tastes as well personally.
I think I agree with my university's Linux Users Group recommendation of Fedora, though I personally use Debian.
Honestly, if Debian would tidy up their website, make the Calamares-based installers the default, and perhaps had an installer with backports kernel built-in, it could be the easiest distro out there - I think everything else in Debian is almost perfect for most people. They don't even have to compromise on all that "universal operating system" stuff - they could just offer multiple installers. As for the website, I can get why they need to use a static site with HTML4, but that shouldn't stop them from designing a simple-to-use website.
Also, had no idea you were also in this community. Pleasant surprise.
I agree re: Fedora, especially the atomic varieties. I do think Zorin is good at what it is but it has a pretty specific use case.
Had the same thought, it's always nice to encounter a civilized person of distinguished taste and culture out here in the wilds.
They're not really paywalling FOSS, though. You can absolutely install it all and configure it yourself. You're paying for them to do the work so you don't have to.
I think it's pretty benign to charge for that to support development.