On Tue, 20 Jun 2017 09:12:39 -0500
Nate Bargmann <n0nb@???> wrote:

> GNOME3 developers seem to have a philosophy unlike that of any other
> group of developers in the Linux/FOSS ecosystem. The first clue I had
> was watching Linux conference videos and some
> GNOME/Freedesktop.org/Red Hat developer would open a Macbook and then
> proceed to start a VM to show all the wonderful things they were
> making for "Linux". My immediate question was, if it's so wonderful,
> why aren't you using it?
>
> Then there is the abomination GTK3 has become. I guess this makes
> sense in light that GNOME developers are maintaining it and seem to
> have hinted that its use should be exclusively for GNOME. Fine.
> Unfortunately, many projects that were based on GTK2 now face either
> moving to GTK3 and its poor UI or moving to another toolkit or simply
> ending development. The update of Firefox from 45 esr to 52 esr shows
> just what a backwards leap GTK3 is. Suddenly dragging a small icon to
> another tab results in the icon appearing about 10X normal size. This
> is happening in Devuan and Salix so it's not a distribution or
> installation specific issue.
>
> A few years ago I took over maintenance of a handy application of
> interest to radio amateurs. It had been dropped from Debian due to a
> compile failure with a newer version of GTK2. The fix was fairly
> trivial even for a GTK novice such as myself and the app is in Jessie.
> For how long, I don't know as GTK2 will undoubtedly be deprecated in
> some future release which leaves me wondering which way to go as I
> don't think GTK3 is a worthwhile path to follow.
>
> As I see it, GNOME/Freedesktop.org/Red Hat/etc. are moving toward an
> Android model where everything else is all but officially excluded
> except for apps written specifically for their environment. There is
> nothing "universal" about their plans and for Debian to chase their
> taillights means that Debian should drop "universal" from any
> description of their distribution, IMHO. I think it would be wise for
> Devuan not to expend any resources also chasing the GNOME, etc. cabal
> and let them go their way. For those who want Devuan with GNOME,
> point them to Debian and bid them a good day. Other distributions
> are doing just fine without SD/GNOME. I think we can as well.
>
> - Nate

Somebody had to say it. Opensourcily incorrect, but the stone truth,
and Nate, you said it well.

SteveT

Steve Litt
June 2017 featured book: The Key to Everyday Excellence
http://www.troubleshooters.com/key