Features Of A Happy Linux Desktop?

Posted by Michael Larabel on February 25, 2008


During Keith Packard's talk at FOSDEM 2008, he had went in-depth on talking about what he wants to see for a "happy desktop" for Linux users. Most of these issues are commonsense or have been described in earlier talks (such as from Linux.Conf.Au), but below is his list. Of course, all of his issues are X related.

- Fully Composited Desktop
- No Tearing
- Integrated Video, 3D, 2D, APIs
- Flicker-free Boot
- Fast User Switching
- Hot-plug Everywhere
- Lower Power
- Faster. Everywhere.
- Reducing Root Code

Keith had described each of the above topics and then ways that these issues will be addressed. He hopes most of these issues will get worked out this year. For kernel mode-setting, he feels the Linux 2.6.26 kernel is too early for its merge but will come later. You can view the X.Org @ FOSDEM 2008 talks on the RadeonHD.org server.

What would you like to see for a "happy" X.Org or Linux desktop? Tell us in the forums.

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