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clearlinux / distribution

Placeholder repository to allow filing of general bugs/issues/etc against the Clear Linux OS for Intel Architecture linux distribution
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Rename desktop bundle to gnome-desktop #279

Open probonopd opened 5 years ago

probonopd commented 5 years ago

Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe. I'm always frustrated when I end up with the "wrong" desktop environment being installed, or worse, with a mixture between different ones (e.g., when I install XFCE then I am still greeted by GNOME's GDM).

Currently, most users who want a desktop will install the desktop bundle, unknowingly ending up with GNOME.

Worse, when trying to install XFCE after finding out that GNOME is the default, one ends up with a mixture of XFCE (on the desktop) and GNOME (e.g., the GDM login manager).

Describe the solution you'd like Clear and concise bundle names, e.g., gnome-desktop. So that it is possible to install a desktop without unknowingly installing GNOME.

ahkok commented 5 years ago

Due to our updater design, we can't easily rename. However, the suggestion is valid, so we'll look at doing this at some point.

ahkok commented 5 years ago

please note that the gnome desktop will remain the default, and best supported desktop environment for now.

probonopd commented 5 years ago

Just to give some feedback from a user, I was immediately "sold" on Clear Linux OS after having read this:

https://clearlinux.org/blogs/clarity-desktop (emphasis is mine):

Clear Linux* recently introduced a series of updates that incorporate a developer-optimized desktop experience. This experience is built upon Xfce 4.12, created with the goal of enabling you to get what you need perform your work quickly and efficiently. (...) Familiarity No developer or professional wants to spend their time looking for keyboard shortcuts, reconfiguring their desktop layout, or searching for settings and knobs. For this very reason we must select a Desktop UI that is highly familiar and comfortable for most users.

Many developers have developed habits and personal preferences that would make it difficult for them to use certain Desktop UIs. As a result, we have chosen a Desktop UI that has an interface that is well-respected and consistent, and doesn’t pose any barriers to anyone, regardless of their personal preferences.

Sane defaults A recurring theme throughout the Clear Linux* project is the use of sane defaults. This philosophy is so enshrined that the Operating System is entirely stateless. We also extended this to the visuals of the desktop, using the beautiful Arc GTK+ Theme, and the elementary Xfce icon theme (an adaptation of elementary OS’s default icon theme.

I strongly agree with the blog entry cited above and still want to have the experience that article describes. GNOME, Wayland, etc. do not fit the bill for me. (If you are interested in why I think this, I have written a six-part series on #LinuxUsability over at https://medium.com/@probonopd/make-it-simple-linux-desktop-usability-part-1-5fa0fb369b42 but a detailed UX discussion would certainly exceed the scope of this ticket here.)