Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Debian Changes Default Desktop From GNOME To XFCE

Posted by Unknown on from the cool-kids-still-use-windowmaker dept.

An anonymous reader writes "The default desktop within Debian 7.0 'Wheezy' has changed from GNOME to Xfce. GNOME, KDE, and LXDE will continue to be available, but the decision was made to default to Xfce. The reported reasoning comes down to size constraints in fitting GNOME on a single CD."

4 of 328 comments (clear)

  1. I've been uxing Xubuntu by Dr.+Manhattan · · Score: 5, Interesting
    ...and enjoying it. XFCE works pretty well and is easy to use. This actually makes Debian more attractive to me.

    However... there are definitely some issues that bespeak a need for more polish. E.g. this one, or this one. Hopefully a bit more focused attention will lead to quicker fixes.

    --
    PHEM - party like it's 1997-2003!
  2. Bloody brilliant by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Debian sounds a voice of reason within the community.

    I wondered how they would tackle the infamous UI "situation", and this was the outcome I hoped everyone involved would have the guts to go forth with.

    Rejoice for a surge of development activity for Xfce - a much more fruitful use of developer time than some other currently available UI sinks.

  3. Gnome 3 doesn't have too many power users by nssy · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Torvalds said "I'm using Xfce. I think it's a step down from gnome2, but it's a huge step up from gnome3. Really"

    --
    Some of us learn from other people's mistakes and the rest of us have to be other people. -- Zig Ziglar
  4. Happy With XFCE by Bob9113 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I used XFCE for a while years ago, after one of the bloatenings of Gnome. Switched back and had been pretty happy with Gnome until they started turning it into WebTV. Still struggled along with classic mode for a while, but they've been dumbing that as well. Switched back to XFCE and very pleased.

    If you want a thin client for the cloud, Gnome/Windows 8/Mountain Lion/ChromeOS are all fine. If you want a computer, XFCE/Debian may be the best option.

    I tend to think a divergence is inevitable. The masses don't want a computer and never did. They grudgingly used them because it was where all the good stuff was. Now that the oligarchs are offering convenience as an alternative to liberty, most people are lining up. The hardware manufacturers are falling right in line with UEFI, the network providers are pushing to cripple the nasty peer-to-peer design of the Internet, and everyone with an IQ below 120 (and a surprising percentage of those above) can easily be convinced they are happier this way. It's called progress.

    Ummm, which is why I like XFCE... OK, bit of a digression there. But maybe that suggests a motto: "XFCE: Don't shuffle blandly into the decline."

    --
    Stop-Prism.org: Opt Out of Surveillance