For years now, Wayland has been a slow(?), erratic work. Even today, it continues to be a work in progress.
Given, I have been planning, researching and attempting to implement a viable running version of Wayland (mostly SwayWM). Through my work I have begun testing using this session environment regularly on Debian Sid (Unstable). After all that, I think it is about time I bring my findings and thoughts to this Knowledge-base.
I will attempt to keep this document updated, and revise it as I find notable new insights.
Based on my recent research, I have encountered the following articles. These articles each posit interesting thoughts.
- Wayland may soon overtake X11 in Linux GUIs • The Register
- Ubuntu Budgie Switches to an XFCE Approach to Wayland
- Xfce Wayland Update (2023)
- Xfce4 v 20 adds Wayland Support
- RHEL 10 is Dropping x11
There are, of course, many articles deriding Wayland, as well. Below is a notable rant. I personally find this type of post unhelpful as it is obviously inaccurate, shrill, and sounds too much like political propaganda. Nonetheless, it is worth a peak if only to see the amount of emotion focused on stamping out change. Yes, even in the tech-world we still have Luddites.
As part of my evaluation efforts, I have posted a number of progress report related articles and forum updates. Here are several:
- SwayWM on Debian (tutorial) – eirenicon llc (This tutorial offers details on my SwayWM implementation successes, work-arounds, and failures. It also includes links to dotifles, etc.)
- Wayland Native (Non-x11 Dependent Tools)
In addition to my work and progress with SwayWM (see the above SwayWM tutorial link for details), I have begun an attempt to install labwc on my Debian Sid install. I will provide a complete tutorial on that work, too; just not now. In the meantime, here’s a brief note and image of my labwc progress.
I have been trying to get labwc 0.6.6 (most current release) to build a version of labwc (Openbox style Desktop). Below is a screenshot, proof-of-life image. The bottom line seems to be that it looks like it ‘can be done’. There are some (many?) work-arounds needed to make it easier to use and appropriately Wayland; but, with an appropriate amount of hard work it seems viable. (If you stare too closely at the desktop screenshot, you’ll see what I mean.)

As mentioned above, there will be more to come, including a collection of what I view to be quality Wayland links.
If you have insights on your Wayland journey(s) to share with me, please use the contact page on this site to let me know.
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