Link: https://darkghosthunter.medium.com/you-should-get-away-from-gnome-13e41f6c23a8
I agree. Will Zorin switch desktop environments?
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Not for now. And I would have Doubts that they will do. But who know's.
The Article is a bit ... how can I say that ... I see it as a Yes-and-No Article. I don't find it directly wrong but at the same Time I don't agree to everything. To quote some Things:
and it confuses any first time user about how to use their own computer.
I agree to that, but that it is this Way, is abvious because the Gnome Desktop goes a different Way. When You come from using Windows, Gnome is ... a different Planet. It is totally different in Usage. But I wouldn't see that as a negative Point, I see it as a neutral Point. It is not good, it is not bad; it is different.
And normal people cannot use GNOME out of the box.
That is not adequate in my Opinion. Above, I expalined that the Usage is different. So, of Course, it is neccessary to explain how to use it. Like You have to explain how to use Windows.
And then is the Question if You like it or not. But even when You don't like the Way to use it, it doesn't mean that You can't use it. Do I use Vanilla Gnome? No, because I don't like it this Way. But I could of Course use it.
The whole Thing with Gnome Extensions and limited Options is a true Point. Gnome Tweaks was mentioned. That isn't something that should exist seperately. These Settings have to be standard in the normal Gnome Settings. You could expand that with something like GDM settings for Example. That is something that should be included, too.
Gnome Extensions ... here, I would think that a standarized Plugin System would definetely a good Idea. So, Extension Developers would have a Standard and after every new Main Version the Extensions wouldn't break. But of Course some Extension functions should be included in Gnome by default - like the mentioned AppIndicator Support. that is fundamental and shouldn't be a Third-Party Function.
And Dash To Dock? I mean, Gnome delivers a Dock - a Dock in the Overview. To offer at least a Toggle to have it on the Desktop is a Thing that shouldn't be a big Issue.
And finally the Thing to not donate to the Gnome Foundation. Well, their Behavior with Money might not be the Best; that alone might be a Reason to not donate. But at the End: You can decide to donate or not. Nobody is forced to do it.
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Well you can always do it yourself.
The hard way:
or just install kde-standard and then at login, choose the DE using the cog.
You know what I hate? I hate it when extension developers stop supporting their extensions. There are tons of extensions on Gnome-Look, that stop on version 38! Heck, I think Gnome is now at version 49, and Zorin OS 18.1 uses 46. Which means, 3/4 of all the extensions are useless.
If you want to talk about what I think needs to stop? I think dev's need to stop abandoning their work, its ridiculous. Keeping a standard would be an improvement yes, but if people stop supporting their work, its no surprise, why the user experience, is still but a struggle on Linux.
Now, I have to hand it to the Zorin dev's though, the extensions I used and talked about in OS 16, were bake into the OS in 18. So far, the only user installed extension I am running, is Quick Sound Switcher, by Dustin Hawkins. Saves me time, going deep into settings, to set the audio output.
There is a difference between new and unfamiliar - which as you say is to be expected, and the fact the article points directly to Vanilla Gnome, which is not just new and unfamiliar.
The article details this: Gnome Hides Menu's.
It restricts access. This is not "new and unfamiliar" or learning the settings, when the settings themselves are hidden.
They need a strong incentive when Upstream keeps breaking things.
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Hiding ... Well, to a certain Degree, I would agree. The Thing is: There are simply Things missing. Customizing the Login Screen for Example. There is no Setting to do that. But when there is no setting, it isn't hided - because it doesn't exist.
Where I agree is Gnome Tweaks. You can see that as hidden. This is something what shouldn't exist seperately. These settings there should be integrated in the normal Gnome Settings.
With that, I would be more cautious. Personal Circumstances can change quickly. and that can lead to a different Focus. And then Things like a gnome Extension are not important anymore. You never know what the Universe will do ...
And when You think about the Point that with every new Main Version of Gnome the Gnome Extension has to be adjusted so that it can work, I can understand that some Developer might think at a Point ''Oh, screw You!''
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My pet hate is Gnome Backups (deja-dup). In order to select the destination folder, you have to use hamburger menu/ Preferences then hunt for the destination folder to be used. What a palava!
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