Making that switch has never been easier thanks to supremely user-friendly options like and , but there's also a lesser-known Linux flavor that's designed specifically to offer an easy transition from Microsoft's operating system.

Zorin OS is an Ubuntu-based Linux distribution that actually bills itself as “the gateway to Linux for Windows users.” I wrote about the free and open source operating system once , but just this week a brand-new version 6 made its debut.

If you're accustomed to Windows but are feeling anxious about Windows 8 and all the changes it will bring--or if you're a Linux user who's dissatisfied with the current crop of out there--Zorin OS 6 could be just what you need.

So what's new in this latest release of the software? Here's a quick rundown of some of the highlights.

1. A New Desktop Environment