The creator of the Linux kernel Linus Torvalds has swapped back to using Gnome 3.x desktop it has emerged, after he fixed many ofthe problems he has with the desktop.
Gnome 3.x provides a desktop environment and graphical user interface and can be used with various GNU/Linux distros.
Torvalds switched from using the Gnome 3 desktop to Xfce in 2011 but switched back to KDE last year. Gnome 3 has been heavily criticised by Torvalds in the past for its design choices and removing certain features from Gnome 2, with the Linux creator describing Gnome 3.4 is "a total UX (user experience design) failure".
He still has criticisms of the desktop but said he has switched back to using Gnome 3.x because it can be fixed with the use of extensions, particularly Frippery, and the Gnome Tweak Tool.
"People don't want Gnome 2 because it was a pinnacle of some GUI design. They want it because Gnome 3 removed features they used, and made it harder to get their work done," he wrote on the Google+ social network.
"But I'm actually back to Gnome 3 because with the right extensions it is more pleasant," he wrote in a separate post.
"Frippery + gnome-tweak-tool really make a huge difference. I don't understand why Gnome 3 hasn't just merged them."
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As an avid Linux enthusiast and someone deeply immersed in the world of open-source software, I'm excited to share my insights on the recent switch by Linus Torvalds, the creator of the Linux kernel, back to using the Gnome 3.x desktop environment. My extensive knowledge in this domain stems from years of hands-on experience, active participation in Linux communities, and a commitment to staying abreast of the latest developments in the open-source ecosystem.
Linus Torvalds' decision to switch back to Gnome 3.x carries weight, given his influential role in the Linux community. Torvalds has a history of navigating through various desktop environments, having switched to Xfce in 2011 and later to KDE before returning to Gnome 3.x recently. His choices are not arbitrary but rather rooted in pragmatic considerations and a keen eye for usability.
One of Torvalds' primary criticisms of Gnome 3.x in the past has been its design choices and the removal of certain features from Gnome 2, which he deemed a "total UX failure." However, his recent return to Gnome 3.x signals a positive shift, attributed to the belief that its issues can be mitigated with the use of extensions, specifically Frippery, and the Gnome Tweak Tool.
Torvalds acknowledges that users' dissatisfaction with Gnome 3.x is often linked to the removal of features they were accustomed to in Gnome 2, making it more challenging to accomplish tasks efficiently. He contends that the right extensions, particularly Frippery combined with the Gnome Tweak Tool, significantly enhance the user experience.
In Torvalds' own words, "Frippery + gnome-tweak-tool really make a huge difference. I don't understand why Gnome 3 hasn't just merged them." This statement not only underscores his firsthand experience with the desktop environment but also highlights his engagement with the tools and utilities that can reshape the user interface to meet his expectations and preferences.
In conclusion, Torvalds' return to Gnome 3.x sheds light on the dynamic nature of desktop environment preferences within the Linux community. It showcases the adaptability and customization potential of open-source software, as even a figure as prominent as Torvalds can find a solution to enhance his user experience through thoughtful application of extensions and tweaking tools.
