this post was submitted on 21 Oct 2024
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I'll never make the claim that X11 is perfect, but my use case requires features that are either not built into Wayland yet or simply won't be built into it in the future.
I'm sure it's a fine product, but asking me to change my workflow to use it is a non-starter. When it reaches feature complete support of X11 functionality, I'll consider changing.
What is the use case that doesn't work for you? Mine was Nvidia and now it's working on gnome at least
Like I said, I use Linux in my classroom, and I heavily use global shortcut keys set via script for individual lessons, with fullscreen opening of applications that don't have automatic support and shortcut key based window switching all without mouse input to create a seamless presentation for my students.
Global shortcuts and wmctrl, which form the critical backbones of this system, simply don't work in Wayland.
And to suggest it's just a perfect transition is wrong. I don't use Steam Link, but if I did? Doesn't work in Wayland. Everyone constantly bemoans that applications should be rewritten for Wayland, but one of Linux's advantages is eternal backwards compatibility so software can actually be FINISHED.
Wayland isn't the kernel and it shouldn't be held to the standard of the Linux kernel, but do you remember when Linus Torvalds publicly screamed at and berated a developer for a change to the kernel that broke a userspace application and then having the sheer GALL to suggest the application developer was at fault? Wayland evangelists could stand to be a little more understanding that people don't like it when you break functional userspace applications, force developers to work on stuff that is FINISHED to get it working again, and then blame them for not getting on board with your changes. You know who does that? Google.
Look, Wayland works for you and that's fantastic. Use whatever you like. Linux is Linux and one of the most beautiful points of Linux is freedom of choice. What I take exception to is the people in this thread who are acting like anybody who isn't on Wayland is crazy and insisting there's no good reason to still be on X11 just because they personally don't understand why someone would need features they need. Anyone expounding that "Wayland is a 1 to 1 replacement for X11 and superior in every way!" is either being intentionally disingenous or a cultist. You know who insists users are wrong for having their own use cases and workflow and wants them to change to their preferred system because THEY don't think the other use cases matter? Microsoft.
I'll be happy to make the switch to Wayland... when I do a system install or update and it happens invisibly and I don't suddenly have to wonder why all of my custom scripts no longer work.
Xwayland should work basically forever, so there's no reason to rewrite anything. In time those features will get implemented, but I'm guessing you will need to change the scripts to use something other than
wmctrlunless that particular program gets updatedI appreciate the information, and I'm willing to give it a shot again when I next need to do a distro switch or a new installation, but until now my experiences with Wayland have basically been a stream of broken things over several days as I try to reestablish my workflow in a new desktop environment. The time it all goes successfully is the time I'll be sold.
I understand completely, I don't even update until I need to. In my case, screen capture works more consistently with Wayland than x11.