The Linux Mint staff has introduced definitive plans to implement Wayland of their Cinnamon desktop atmosphere, with the primary launch slated for end-of-year.
Linux Mint is without doubt one of the hottest Linux distributions (distros), the best rated amongst these we’ve reviewed at WPN, and this author’s private favourite. The distro is available in two editions, one primarily based on Ubuntu and the opposite primarily based on Debian. Whereas the Ubuntu-based model comes with a selection of desktop environments, Cinnamon is the default possibility and the one that’s instantly developed by the Linux Mint staff.
Cinnamon is without doubt one of the most well-rounded desktop environments, providing many of the customization choices of KDE mixed with the soundness and reliability of Gnome or Xfce. One obtrusive omission, nevertheless, has been Wayland help. Wayland is the successor to X11, providing plenty of efficiency and safety enhancements. The Mint staff had hinted they might start Wayland implementation, however there had been no agency info, a minimum of not till as we speak.
In a weblog put up, challenge lead Clément (Clem) Lefèbvre outlined the staff’s plans:
The work began on Wayland. As talked about earlier this yr, this was recognized as one of many main challenges our challenge needed to deal with within the mid to long run. Precedence had been given to ISO instruments and Secureboot over new options for 21.3 already, we felt it was time to speculate some sources into Wayland as nicely.
Clem says experimental Wayland help will present up within the 21.3 launch slated for Christmas:
Cinnamon 6.0, deliberate for Mint 21.3 this yr, will function experimental Wayland help. You’ll have the ability to choose between Cinnamon (the default session, working on Xorg) and Cinnamon on Wayland from the login display.
Clem cautions that Wayland gained’t be prepared for many customers for a few years, however the staff needed to begin working in that route and provides adventurous customers the power to check it:
We needed to have a transparent image of the work concerned, so we needed to begin now. When it comes to timing we don’t suppose we want Wayland help to be absolutely prepared (i.e. to be a greater Cinnamon possibility for most individuals) earlier than 2026 (Mint 23.x). That leaves us 2 years to establish and to repair all the problems. It’s one thing we’ll proceed to work on. Each time it occurs, assuming it does, we’ll contemplate switching defaults. We’ll use the very best instruments to do the job and supply the very best expertise. In the present day which means Xorg. Tomorrow it would imply Wayland. We’ll be prepared and appropriate with each.
Total, Clem’s announcement may be very a lot consistent with the challenge’s total route. The Mint staff is thought for taking measured motion and making calculated choices that emphasize stability and reliability. Given the numerous points Wayland nonetheless has — with even some Wayland builders cautioning towards utilizing it in a manufacturing atmosphere — the Mint staff’s resolution to proceed slowly and thoroughly ought to serve its customers nicely.
