this post was submitted on 16 Oct 2025
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I honestly dont know what would drive a Windows refugee to choose such a niche and likely unable to support them distro.
Is ZorinOS niche? It's Ubuntu with a Windows ricing.
Can we stop saying "ricing"? It's racist af for literally no reason.
is it not an acronym or something?
No, it comes from people "souping up" (hopefully I don't find out that's also racist somehow lol) cheap Japanese cars that they called "rice burners".
The origins of the term undeniably are racist, yes, and I was also surprised that those using it weren't largely aware of the fact.
But it's also true that meanings unavoidably change over time, and the intent of what you say is also important.
The person you responded to isn't wrong - there's now a popular acronym people are using which is Race Inspired Cosmetic Enhancement
And yes it's a backronym. The pejorative term came first, and the acronym later, but it's certainly part of redefining and reclaiming the term to free it from its origins.
Like it or not, I think the term is very much here to stay.
Words change meaning, sure, but it doesn't mean we need to keep using it here.
Also, let's not fool ourselves into thinking they made it into a bacroynm for any reason beyond wanting to continue using a racist term but now with plausible deniability.
Trying to 'hide' the use of a racist term because you're a racist would be one thing, but using the term in a way that is not at all meant as pejorative is another.
In the automotive context, the term meant something like "Putting loads of pointless mods on your 'shitty' Japanese car that makes it look even uglier and doesn't make it go any faster." - and in that context it was unambiguously a slur, disparaging the Asian import scene in favour of the 'superior' western aesthetic and way of doing things.
But even in the automotive context, people can reclaim the term and say effectively "Yes - my car is 'riced out' - that's the aesthetic I want, and I'm proud of it."
In some ways it's quite appropriate that this term would extend from Japanese cars into tricking out your operating system. Given the number of waifu wallpapers you see in screenshots, 'ricing' has quite a lot of overlap with anime aesthetic, geek cuture and 'weebs' (which is another term that was used as an insult, and now reclaimed by people who proudly describe themselves as such). People who have historically been looked down upon by most of society but internally wear their 'weebdom' as a badge of pride.
It's hardly an insult when you are the one saying it about yourself, and doing so proudly.
In the theming a GUI sense, a lot of folks also choose anime inspired themes. So.
I mean one of the most important pieces of software we always mention when converting users from Windows is called GIMP, I think "ricing" isn't nearly the most concerning term in the libre software world.
GIMP isn't a bacronym, it is an acronym.
Also, my understanding of BDSM indicates that gimps consent to their position.
Doesn't matter for the point at hand.
Gimp is a very pejorative term for a person with a limp.
I forgot it was ever used that way.
Fair enough
I had no idea about the origin.
Japanese people would trick out their cars to look cool.
We call this ricing because Japan/Rice.
I think the term today is completely unrelated to the original meaning and has no racial ties but some right leaning people always want to be offended.
Marketing
That's why it's only ~70k downloads. Probably many more for Ubuntu, Mint, Fedora, Manjaro, Bazzite and so on.
I really with EndeavorOS or Garuda would replace Manjaro on that list.
I think Zorin is a pretty solid choice for people with no Linux experience tbh.
It’s at least going to feel familiar
They charge extra for theming that people could get themselves for free. I don’t like that it’s taking advantage of vulnerable people.
I don’t think that’s “taking advantage of vulnerable people”
The options still exist for people to learn and theming is incredibly inconsequential.
They’re monetising to support development in a minimally impactful way, that is completely optional, and I think that’s a good thing.
They should advertise that everything is free and can be installed after installation if you choose not say $80 gets you a Windows like desktop and software replacements that will save you thousands (Blender/Xournal++/OfficeSuite)
The value proposition is ease of use and integration of these theming utilities.
I honestly think this monetisation strategy of theirs is a non-issue.
People who want a streamlined experience have the option of paying for that, people who want the option of doing it all themselves have that opportunity too.
My problem is them not communicating that.
Not communicating that there are alternatives to their services?
I don’t really think it’s their responsibility to spoon feed alternatives to their customers; they’re not being anticompetitive, they’re not being deceptive, they’re not blocking alternatives.
I think your requirements here are unfair and kind of irrational
That the stuff included is free and installable on it’s own.
So what’s your issue then? Zorin has a free version that people can opt for if they want
That they aren’t communicating it.
Why do you believe they need to?
Because I believe not doing so is exploiting people that don’t know better.
If it wasn’t then there wouldn’t be a problem with being upfront about it.
Okay, I guess I simply disagree that it’s their responsibility to tell other people there are alternatives to their service and I don’t think any other software vendor is beholden to such a requirement either.
So does Mint though
And people are free to use mint if they want