Why Gnome Might Drop X11 Support Sooner Than Expected

TLDRDespite the challenges, dropping X11 session support in Gnome could be beneficial for the Linux desktop in the long term. This article explores the potential advantages and considerations involved in this decision.

Key insights

:white_check_mark:Dropping X11 session in Gnome could lead to short-term struggles but long-term benefits for the Linux desktop.

:warning:Issues with Nvidia pose challenges for transitioning to Wayland, but gradual improvements by Nvidia are expected over time.

:briefcase:Businesses heavily relying on Nvidia cards and running Gnome in a Linux environment may face difficulties without X11 session support.

:desktop_computer:Gnome's dominance in the Linux business world makes dropping X11 session a significant consideration for enterprise users.

:alarm_clock:Regardless of the timeline, dropping X11 session support in Gnome is likely to happen in the future, prompting the need for resolution of related issues.

Q&A

What challenges does dropping X11 session support in Gnome present?

While dropping X11 session support in Gnome may lead to short-term struggles and difficulties for businesses heavily reliant on Nvidia cards, it can potentially bring long-term benefits for the Linux desktop.

What challenges does Nvidia pose for transitioning to Wayland?

Nvidia's lack of full Wayland support, GPU acceleration issues, and driver instability present challenges for the transition. However, Nvidia is gradually making progress towards better Wayland support with each driver update.

Why is Gnome's decision to drop X11 session support important for the Linux business world?

Gnome's dominance as the default desktop environment for Linux in the business world means that any changes, such as dropping X11 session support, can significantly impact enterprise users and their reliance on Nvidia cards.

When is dropping X11 session support expected to happen in Gnome?

While the timeline is uncertain, dropping X11 session support in Gnome is likely to occur in the future, prompting the need to address related issues and ensure compatibility with Wayland.

What are the potential benefits of dropping X11 session support in Gnome?

Dropping X11 session support in Gnome can bring long-term benefits for the Linux desktop, such as improved Wayland support and addressing existing problems. It also serves as an incentive for Nvidia and other parties to resolve compatibility issues.

Timestamped Summary

00:00The author discusses the possibility of Gnome dropping X11 session support and explores the advantages and challenges associated with this decision.

02:56The author explains that relying on X11 instead of Wayland can hinder progress and the long-term improvement of the Linux desktop.

07:20The author highlights the importance of Gnome's decision in the Linux business world and the impact it can have on businesses heavily relying on Nvidia cards.

09:00Despite the challenges and potential difficulties in the short term, dropping X11 session support is expected to happen in the future, prompting the need for resolution of related issues.