The best way I can word how I perceive this is "out of touch."
There is a long list of indicators toward this.
I have openly discussed issues with the ZorinGroup previously - indeed over the course of years.
- Long release cycle
- Necessity of clear open and consistent communication. I actually got nervous that I brought this up too much, even as Kyrill acknowledged that they know they need to work on that. I thought, maybe I am pushing to hard here.
- Concerns over the direction of Zorin OS as well as Gnome and GnuLinux as a whole.
Some of this is from the Moderator Forum. Some is from PM. Some is publicly viewable on the open Forum, with threads dating back a ways asking about a Roadmap for Zorins direction as well.
I believe that the ZorinGroup simply never deemed it necessary to reach out.
How you and members who have interacted with me for a long time on the forum perceive me and how they perceive me are different things.
You may perceive me as helpful and an advocate for Zorin OS, where they perceive me as a nag and a thorn in their side constantly berating them.
I am not really sure exactly how they perceive me, actually. I usually suggest that they have a dartboard on the wall with my picture on it.
For me, as an individual, Zorin OS dropping XFCE is not a big deal.
I can install it with one terminal command. I can have it set up to match my workflow in mere minutes.
Again: Defaults are extremely powerful.
If I am selfish; I can move on with self-assured ease. Sadly... not so much. I do care about the well-being of others and of the future and direction of GnuLinux.
Not everyone is comfortable with changing their system, indeed, the ZorinGroup themselves have concerns about users installing third party applications, repositories or other things that can mess things up. They have vowed to never prevent users from doing so.
However, this also means that they know that in dropping support for these options, they are opening up the doors to users installing third party repositories and software - Something that they used to support: XFCE.
You can see the disconnect; and the problem.
That being said, I have no expectations that the ZorinGroup jump and run because Aravisian got in a tangle.
But if they are open to discourse about addressing the hard questions and seeking understanding (not about any sides wants but about protecting users free ability to easily attain their own wants on their own system pressure-free); I have always been all for it.