GhostBSD lead developer Eric Turgeon published an update regarding X.Org Server vs. XLibre vs. Wayland planning for the GhostBSD distribution moving forward as well as some future uncertainties to this desktop-focused, FreeBSD-derived OS.
Eric Turgeon shared plans this weekend for GhostBSD to move from using the X.Org Server to XLibre. Given the code reverts in the latest X.Org Server codebase and Wayland not yet being ready for GhostBSD’s needs like the MATE desktop default, XLibre is planned for use use as the display server on GhostBSD. Eric noted:
“I looked at XLibre’s improvements and was impressed. I started to think: if I release 26.01 with XLibre, I’ll have to push the release for a month or two, but at least we should be in good shape. The change to XLibre is because GhostBSD is not ready for Wayland, and Wayland is not ready for GhostBSD. Some could say that Wayland works. Yes, it does. I’ve used it on Linux and it works. But GhostBSD is not Linux, and MATE is not ready for it yet. XFCE is not ready for it, and Gershwin isn’t either. From what I know, GNUstep is not ready for Wayland.
In short, it’s a technical decision: MATE is not ready for Wayland, and Xorg is going backward.”
Eric also noted that with the MATE desktop environment not being too active at the moment and without many improvements in recent years, he is giving the desktop more thought moving forward. In particular, Gershwin providing a macOS-like desktop experience on GhostBSD:
Eric noted on the desktop side:
“I like GTK’s versatility and vast language support. I see what Gershwin could become, but I can’t make up my mind about only having Objective-C to make software. Sure, if people look at Gershwin right now, it looks too much like MacOS and incomplete. But it’s a young project and themes are a work in progress. I have seen how modern GNUstep can look, and that we can make it look closer to Windows and other DE layouts.
What I’m unsure about right now is whether I should continue to replace MATE tooling or focus on helping Gershwin development. Before Gershwin came on the horizon, I was planning to replace all software settings with Setting Station. That was the first stage to start making a new DE. I was looking to do what Cinnamon did with Gnome: slowly replacing MATE with an in-house-built DE. The problem is GhostBSD is way too big, and it’s hard to keep up with everything. So Gershwin could become the future, I am just trying to get over the Objective-C only part. That said swift support might get added in the near future that would help the situation a bit more.
For now, GhostBSD continues its old trajectory with Gershwin in mind, but everything is up to change.”
Those interested in this status update on GhostBSD can learn more via Eric’s blog.
