[Trisquel-devel] Future Migration to Gnome 3?

[Gaurav Pareek]

On 06/10/2011 01:36 AM, Rubén Rodríguez wrote:
> I think the exact opposite. GNOME 3 requires 3D acceleration to work,
> which many graphic cards lack using free drivers. They even plan for
> GNOME 3 to offer non-free drivers to the users as a "solution" to the
> problem. Even if they don't, we should avoid it altogether.
>
> The "fallback mode" is not a solution either, it just tells those who
> chose free software that they are second level citizens, as a friend
> would say.

I think you're confusing Gnome3 with gnome-shell. Gnome-shell requires 
3d accelration to work and can easily be removed and replaced with other 
options, such as Unity as in Ubuntu, Pantheon as in elementary, or the 
default fallback session. In fact the fallback mode becomes the default 
if gnome-shell isn't installed. If we want to provide an interface that 
is like the current default, then we'll have no choice other than using 
the fallback mode(it doesnt tell people they're second level citizens if 
gnome-shell isn't installed). Other options are
* Change the default interface to Unity. It has a fallback called 
unity-2d which requires qt.
* Use the fallback mode, tweak it to behave like the current setup.
* Use elementary's shell Pantheon.
* Write ur own session manager, put cairo-dock or awn as a panel(or fork 
gnome-panel), and compiz or metacity as WM.

The best option will be to use the fallback mode(Ok dont call it that, 
that sounds pathetic), and tweak it enough for our needs. I say this 
because:
*Gnome-panel3 is a huge advancement over gnome-panel 2.x.
*All ancient technologies such as bonobo have been retired.
*It actually allows snapping applets to left, right and center.
*Its themeable via css.
*We dont like 'top-bars', so we wont use unity or elementary.(I actually 
like top-bars :P)

Whatever be the case, we have enough time to think and let the 
technologies mature. Only time will tell what is actually ready to be 
used by 5.5.

Regards
grv