Gnome Devs are lost? removing features now

[forrestcupp]

If I understand things correctly, I don't think they actually removed anything. When everything switched to Gnome 3, it broke a lot, and they had to start developing things from the ground up. So they didn't actually remove anything; they're just in the process of adding things back.

If you'll remember when KDE4 first came out, it took them quite a while to get all the functionality back into it. It's the same with Gnome 3. After a while, you'll start to see some of the old options coming back, and probably some new ones, too. I actually think the launch of Gnome 3 was a lot better than the launch of KDE 4. The extension system helped that a lot.

[CarpKing]

The extension system is the only reason I use Gnome-shell, but it does have its flaws. The lack of centralization means the Gnome devs don't control what's available, but it also leads to a lot of redundancy. There's a separate extension (sometimes more than one) to move or remove each little thing, like turning off the accessibility icon or moving the clock to the right.

It would make much more sense to have a single extension to allow the moving and toggling of at least the default interface elements. It would be nice to be able to do the same for other extensions that add elements to the interface, such as the weather one. Basically I want something that approximates (or maybe improves upon) the way the old Gnome-panel was configured. I'm not sure it would be technically possible without deeper changes to the Shell, but I've seen extensions that come with their own configuration dialogs, and even something rudimentary could simplify things greatly.

[rai4shu2]

I actually think the launch of Gnome 3 was a lot better than the launch of KDE 4. The extension system helped that a lot.

Gnome 3 was aided by the fact that GTK didn't change much between 2 and 3. The thing they take a lot of abuse over is Gnome Shell. GS is easily replaced, so no big deal. KDE, on the other hand, only recently has seen an alternative like Razor.

Speaking of KDE, I understand a lot of the microbugs/quirks are finally being noticed/addressed/maybe even fixed. I might actually have another look at that (once they're ready to start working on KDE 5.0).

[BigSilly]

Well, all I can say is I moved to KDE (Kubuntu 12.04) the other day and it is really rocking my world right now. Amazing to see how far it's come on, and I don't know why it seems to exist ina bubble as far as Linux usage goes. It's always Gnome this and that, yet KDE seems to stock everything you could ever need, all wrapped up in a gorgeous Plasma bubble.

I love it!

[Tombradyhasamachinehead]

i used to use gnome a lot but gnome 3 has killed it for me. I gave unity a shot that was a disaster for me. I switched to Kubuntu/ KDE in 2011, and havent looked back since. I know Kubuntu is not the best KDE distro out there, but i am comfortable with the ubuntu/Debian environment.

[Morbius1]

If I understand things correctly, I don't think they actually removed anything. When everything switched to Gnome 3, it broke a lot, and they had to start developing things from the ground up. So they didn't actually remove anything; they're just in the process of adding things back.

I think that's probably the right insight. Either that or all these changes makes it fit better on a Tablet. I also think that this is the difference between Gnome and product development in the real world. If they are still in the process of development then don't ship it. If they choose to call it "stable" and ship it anyway then don't use it in a distro.

[neu5eeCh]

The extension system is the only reason I use Gnome-shell, but it does have its flaws.

My impression (according to various articles I've read - and comments by Torvalds) is that the Gnome Devs haven't exactly "endorsed" the extension system. Whenever there's a "step-wise" Gnome update, many, if not most, of the extensions break and unadorned Gnome becomes its original, unusable self. There doesn't seem to be any coordination or interest in coordination.

[Andrew_P]

Although I like GNOME and prefer it over KDE, I can see a day approaching soon where I'll abandon it in favor of a fork of GNOME that maintains the attitude of continuous improvement and enriching the feature set instead of mindless simplification. It's with good reason that Linus Torvalds declared GNOME a mess. He was quoted at ZDNet in August 2011 that he would like to see a GNOME fork.

[BigSilly]

...I know Kubuntu is not the best KDE distro out there, but i am comfortable with the ubuntu/Debian environment.

I'm never really sure quite why people feel like this. I used both openSUSE 12.1 KDE and Kubuntu 11.10 a while ago, and very much preferred Kubuntu. I can't quite put my finger on it, but I think the Muon/Debian package management and a slightly glossier look and feel are why I prefer Kubuntu. But I digress...

[forrestcupp]

My impression (according to various articles I've read - and comments by Torvalds) is that the Gnome Devs haven't exactly "endorsed" the extension system. Whenever there's a "step-wise" Gnome update, many, if not most, of the extensions break and unadorned Gnome becomes its original, unusable self. There doesn't seem to be any coordination or interest in coordination.

Usually, all it takes is adding the new Gnome version number in a text file, and it works again.