Gnome is a big reason I switched fully to linux
I was already full Linux, but gnome is the reason I stopped messing with window managers and maybe large 4k monitors.
It finally hit enough of ‘just works’ and customizability to use my standard workflow.
The only thing I want that I don’t have right now is horizontal monitor splits for vertical monitors.
This would be a minor release in KDE
It is a fairly minor release for gnome. The problem with KDE is that it has so many features that it is harder to use and setup. It also doesn’t have a focus on stability.
KDE has been very stable for years.
Am I taking crazy pills or did that article not actually include any new features?
It’s a new gnome release: they don’t add features. Just rework things internally to break any extensions you have, then remove features you were using to “simplify” things
I use Gnome 3 because of Comic-like tiling extensions, lack of random bugs and crashes (looking at you my beloved KDE), and because so many apps require GTK that it almost always gets installed by something I want to use.
I dislike using it because SO MANY features and quality of life things were removed and never reintroduced. Like, I have to make a custom bookmark for root or my Desktop folder in Nautilus, and can’t remove the default ones that I never use. Creating symlinks is disabled by default. I have to go to “other locations” and manually type in a network address because you can’t even type in the ADDRESS BAR. If too many windows are open on a tiled workspace, the lack of any reserved clickable space on the titlebar means Nautilus gets squished and I can’t drag and move a window without either moving something else first, opening the overview, or using the keyboard. Not entirely the Gnome team’s fault, but it’s little oversights like that which make the desktop a pain to use. The awful “classic mode” application menu with no ability to search or right click on entries for more options is a good example too. I have to open the mobile-like workspaces view or whatever its call to do that stuff now. I’m not on mobile, this is a desktop.
It’s like they’re trying to force me to use their cursor/touch based UX in some ways, but in others I have to use a keyboard or dig in the settings to do anything. Or maybe they’re just of the opinion that if people want features, someone will volunteer to make and maintain an extension to enable them.
Don’t get me wrong, Gnome 3 is impressive, looks good, and is generally simple to use, but I end up trying to spend so much time working around its intentional limitations, that I start to hate it a little more every day. I use it begrudgingly, waiting for something better to come along. If I was a smarter person with more time, I’d try to help the project with these papercuts, but my coding skills are crap.
But, just so I’m not beating up on them for no good reason, I’ll add that there are a ton of very nice things they created or implemented that I enjoy. The quick settings menu comes to mind; and the settings app in general is very nice.
I think the Gnome devs made a lot of good choices. I just wish they could have done so without removing so many features or trying to force a paradigm change in how I use my computer. I appreciate their work, I really do, but damn…
I’m going to assume you’re not doing this maliciously, as not all of those features and infos are easily discoverable so here are a few infos you might be interested in:
- You always could type in the adressbar by typing Ctrl+L, which is the same shortcuts as all the Browser that I ever tested and most file manager as far as I know. In addition to that, in Gnome 46, you will be able to click the adressbar to type in it (someone had to create the widget for that and until now, nobody had the time/motivation)
- On any Gnome app, you can drag from any part of the headerbar, even on buttons or on the adressbar, you just need to click and hold anywhere. This is actually the best solution that I have seen anywhere in the desktop world: It doesn’t need a titlebar wasting vertical space across the entire width of the app and you avoid the situation where the app window is to small and isn’t dragable at all.
- Far as I know, classic mode isn’t officially part of Gnome and is instead a package that some Distros add that consist of a few extensions. But if you’re going to use extensions for an app menu, you might as well use the far better Arc menu which as a lot more options and is well supported (it’s already ready for Gnome 46 which isn’t out yet)
- Having / as a default shortcut isn’t a good idea for an average user, given that most of the stuff you access from there shouldn’t be touched if you don’t know what you’re doing. And if you do, adding the Bookmark takes a few seconds. (If you want to do it super fast Ctrl+L > / > Enter > Ctrl+D). In addition to that, an editable Sidebar is in the works is in the works, although just like anything, someone will have to do the work and write and maintain the code.
As for the statement “I’m not on mobile, this is a desktop”, I’m not sure what you mean. You do know that you can use just start typing in the overview to search for an app, file, settings, etc (what appears in the search can be edited in the settings)? Maybe I missunderstand what you mean, but I don’t see how the overview is in anyway something from “mobile”. In my opinion, the overview where you can manage your workspaces , open apps and quickly search and open new app, is the best thing Gnome made and is the reason why I and many other use it on Desktop. And if that is not for you, you can recreate a traditional desktop with extensions (Dash to Panel and Arc menu for example) or use KDE or Cinnamon, which are both amazing in their own right and perfected the traditional desktop.
I’m okay with being wrong, it just means I’m less wrong in the future. Thank you for the info.
When is not sucking going to be added as a feature?
Lol thanks but I already use it. That’s what I went to when I finally gave up on Gnome.
Man I really want to see that VRR patch merged in, even if it still takes a flag to turn on.
With KDE having VRR and now HDR it feels like the choice you have to make if you are gaming on Linux. I prefer Gnome generally so I would like to see them catch up.
I switched to KDE because of this. I miss GNOME dearly. I despise KDE’s design choices. But right now, it’s better for gaming.
Differently from GNOME, you can actively participate in KDE’s design choices. Usually they are made by a small bunch of people who are open to feedback.
Not gonna lie, I’ve submitted tiny feature requests to the dev team for Cinnamon and Mate before. One or two of them got implemented, and I was so … happy? proud? idk
I was such a cool feeling though. Being able to participate is very underrated.
I have submitted a tiny patch to the Linux Kernel one year ago and I felt so cool too. I understand.
