"Software that Just Works" I agree and we should also provide a User Manual. Debian is a universal operating system, but it doesn't mean, we can not provide a well define Desktop for our users which will run smooth.
I have started to look into Debian Junior with a similar goal and I would like to see a well defined Debian Desktop for "Home" and "Office" users. I'm going to provide a list of applications I would recommend for Debian Desktop.
-- StefanKropp 2023-06-08 10:57:09
I started to prepare a Debian Pure Blend setup for Debian Desktop. https://salsa.debian.org/StefanKropp/marlin I'm not sure with the naming because of "desktop". I was thinking about a kind of codename? For the example I used "marlin".
-- StefanKropp 2023-06-15 20:37:46
The idea
Metapackage marlin-desktop will install xfce, evolution, browser, libreoffice, keepassxc, vlc and audacious, eog, gimp,.. The user should be able to do all basic things.
Additionally to the desktop, there will be some marlin-extra-* packages:
marlin-extra-internet for additional internet applications, like an ftp / ssh client, nextcloud client, rss feeds reader.
marlin-extra-multimedia for additional multimedia applications.
- ...
See: https://salsa.debian.org/StefanKropp/marlin/-/blob/main/debian/control
The following packages has to be created:
marlin-doc - Documentation for users
Maybe marlin-conf - configurations
I think it would be also helpful to create a wiki page where users can help users.
What is the benefit?
- This project can help people with are new in the GNU/Linux world and need some kind of assistance. They don't need to know about KDE, xfce, gnome, etc. This desktop will "just" provide one setup which will be ready to use.
- We know what they are using and we can provide assistance of this setup (documentation, wiki pages)
- The users doesn't need to search for applications, we will try to provide a set of applications where we made good experience.
- Soon the users will be able to install and use the applications they would like