10 ways GNOME is just BETTER

The GNOME team and their desktop environment are just better than many of the alternatives. In this video we will cover why their desktop and the entire ecosystem is so great. Stay tuned for a the Tiling Window Manager version of this video.

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00:00 - GUH-nome
00:38 - GNOME Apps
03:07 - GNOME Extensions
05:20 - GNOME Workflow
06:23 - Overall Design
07:55 - GNOME is Default
08:56 - Global Search
10:09 - GNOME is for all devices
11:43 - Accessibility
13:33 - Corporate Backing
14:46 - GNOME Tech is huge

[bokocchop]

Gnome is more like designers are developing a DE, where KDE is like developers are trying to design a DE

[danytalksmusic]

There's just something about the look and feel of gnome that keeps me from leaving! The stability, cohesive design, and animations are just the best. I've tried KDE and love the sleek lines, but feel the animations are lacking and it breaks too easily. XFCE is snappy but takes too much work to customize the themes one element at a time. Mate feels too retro and isn't as customizable. And Budgie has my favorite look, but lacks the broad hardware support for some of my devices... Each one has its strengths, but gnome is like the Mario of Linux- never overstated or amazing, but simply solid and reliable.

[GustavoNoronha]

I've been a user since 1999. At that point GNOME (in all caps) was an acronym that meant GNU Network Object Model Environment. The G in GNU is specifically meant to be pronounced, so it was the same for GNOME. It's been a few years none of those things make any sense anymore, though! Thus the switch to Gnome, not all caps, too.

The Network Object Model Environment part is more interesting: it was because GNOME was originally very much based on the idea of networked components similar to the Microsoft COM / OLE (Component Object Model ) or the more generic CORBA. GNOME used CORBA and Bonobo, which was only very recently fully retired from Evolution. It was an interesting idea, but it was also a very complex and thus fragile way of putting stuff together. Eventually it was all replaced by less intrusive inter-process communication technologies like D-Bus and interfaces based on XDG specifications.

[ArniesTech]

I REALLY came to like GNOME. And although KDE suits my workflow more, I still choose GNOME because no other desktop feels this wholesome and polished 💪🙏

[MyurrDurr]

Gnome is the only reason I've started using virtual desktops!!
They are so seamless and easy to use in Gnome
(I do dislike the horizontal ones since 3.36 though, they are slightly more annoying to use due to the really tiny previews at the top of the overview)

[nuffens]

I still think that the most enjoyable part of GNOME that I've been appreciating in the combination of the workflow with workspace and track-pad gestures. makes it a really good distro for laptops and tablet type systmes

[alfkh]

finding the correct extension that fixes my "problem" is what i find TOTALLY INFURIATING!!! Doing the same stuff on other desktops is simply a configuration but for gnome, 1 has to know watt 2 install & hold their breath while its installing so that it doesn't break the system bec of version incompatibility.. that HAS happened b4!

[Iamhappycoder]

I use KDE primarily because of the ability to put "Keep above other windows" and "Shade" buttons on the title bar. Second is the ability to drag a window to the side or corner of the screen and it will resize to half or a fourth of the screen. These two are a must for my development workflow.

Another one, but least important, is the ability to assign applications to different sound devices using the simply system sound icon. I can have messaging apps play through speakers while the rest play through the headphone. Or I can have two Google Chrome windows play audio through different sound devices.

All these without installing plugins or editing config files.

I'll switch to Gnome once these features become available as everything else is "same same" :)

[slembcke]

I really like the simplicity and the "learn one learn them all" intuitiveness of Gnome like you said. Though I came from developing on the Mac half a decade ago. Gnome had all the Unixy bits I liked and a vaguely Mac-like UX. Some think Gnome is dumbed down, though I'd rather not spend my brain cells figuring out a DE when I could be writing shaders or physics code, doing fourier analysis, or optimizing things in assembly. I like enjoy learning complicated or difficult things, just not when it's a DE. ;) That said, I think I'm going to start donating to KDE too in 2023. Choices make things better, even if it's a choice for somebody else.

[anees]

Appreciate the work you've put into this video. It's a great argument for GNOME!

[donaldc]

Gnome feels like elementary school to me after using KDE. I just cant stick with it, its lacking in so many features im used to using in KDE. But then again im one of those guys who likes to tinker. I will admit sometimes it needs to be simple and just work. For business use i would prefer Gnome over KDE so people have less to screw up and need IT to come down and fix it. Looks nice but thats it. Linux has a DE for anyone honestly, thats another reason i love it.

[russellbrooks]

Always a good video. As for whether or not Gnome is better, GNOPE. It's good, and some of the gnome apps are definitely the best for any desktop. Waiting for "Why Cinnamon is better, " and "Why XFCE is better."

[feschber]

Gnome is an awesome Desktop, the lack of features and amount of NACKs by the devs is really annoying though. Still prefer it over KDE

[guss]

Regarding the whole "consistent design" thing that GNOME affectionados keep telling me about: can you please explain why every menu looks and behaves differently? Context menus look different than headerbar menus which are different than shell menus which are different than system tray menus which are different than standard menus (in apps that still have them)? Headerbar menus are the worst: they don't behave like menus - no keyboard accessibility, can't overflow the window(!?), activates where you click rather than where you release (unlike basically any other menu in the world) and worse!

[_tanzil_]

In Gnome, I always feel like I need something more. I've never been happier with it. But with KDE, I've always got what I needed and more. Most of them are literally in the settings.

[markosverdhi]

I'm not a super power user, I use linux because I like bash commands over powershell and unix just makes more sense to me than the windows way of doing things. I also like the open source philosophy. That being said, I want a stable, smooth experience like something I would get out of a macbook. Gnome allows me to get that out-of-box experience where I can mess with things here and there if I want, but overall it looks really good just as-is. PopOS is treating me really really well right now.

[nws]

KDE's biggest advantage is also its biggest disadvantage. There are many configurations and layouts available, too many! It's all too easy to get overwhelmed by this and forget that a system is supposed to be about getting things done, being productive at something in whatever your job is, not setting up your environment with no end in sight. This is exactly why I gave up on KDE and use Gnome instead. Just give me a simple system that works.

[michaeloconnell]

I love the customization you can do with gnome, I keep it close to default but with auto hide top panel when windows cover, app indicator icons and pop-shell-tiling. I'm a big fan of having apps or tiled apps cover the screen and swiping thru virtual desktops

[georgH]

Been a Gnome user since before 1.0, especially after 2.0 it surpassed KDE 1.1 on usability and design.

When Gnome 2 was released, I was pissed that many options had been removed, but then I realized that better defaults instead of tons of options made for a much better experience.

After Gnome 3, I was, again, quite disappointed about the bold move of adopting a touch-centric approach, with huge elements on the screen. However, it has been much polished over the years and it feels incredible in all devices.

Even when I felt that Gnome made some decisions I disagreed with, and tried KDE again and again, never was able to stick with it, it's always been Gnome.

[ionut]

adaptiveness is great, and GNOME is the one DE to feel good with touch. looks like it's almost ready for mobile phones

i use most apps in mobile phone ratio anyways, even the file explorer.
great DE, solid choices and very consistent