Goals and objectives

[wandrien]

It is necessary to formulate the goals and objectives of the project as a whole.

The main page of the abandoned site describes the key LXDE features as follows:

LIGHTWEIGHT
LXDE runs anywhere, from a Raspberry Pi to a junkyard computer.

MODULAR
LXDE is completely modular, take parts out or add them back, or even use a component without LXDE!

FAMILIAR
LXDE comes with a classic user experience so you can get started right away.

COMMUNITY
Many companies making single-board computers use LXDE as their desktop environment of choice.

I think it's all right here, except for the paragraph 1. I'd rephrase it in that way:

LXDE runs anywhere, from old Pentium 3 class laptops to modern ARM-boards and high-end workstations.

However, in addition to this simple list, we need a more detailed description what the project is about. This description should be aimed at those who want to join the project so that they can understand if it is right for them.

I propose the following:

• LXDE is a project of a modular desktop environment for workstations, laptop and desktop computers capable of running a POSIX-compliant OS with X11 windowing system.
• LXDE components are designed to have the minimum required dependencies and can run separately from LXDE as a whole.
• Many LXDE applications support building with gtk2 as well as with gtk3 and this will be kept in the future. We have no plans of porting to gtk4/Qt/etc.
• LXDE applications are intended to run under X11. We currently have no plans of porting to Wayland, but this may be revised in the future, depending on the actual needs and manpower available.
• The preferred language for writing LXDE components is C. Some parts implemented in Vala. We prefer to avoid using other languages unless absolutely necessary.
• The target platform for LXDE is a POSIX-like OS with support of X11, glib2, gtk2 and/or gtk3. Any linuxisms in the code should be considered by accident or due to lack of manpower and not intentional. Your patches to improve support of various operating systems are welcome.
• LXDE does not try to force you to use a fixed list of "right" methods of interacting with the system. Instead, it provides a classic desktop user experience by default and can be customized to suit the needs of the user. We do support experimenting with UI/UX customizations.
• Priorities in LXDE development:
  • Configurability
  • Modularity
  • Optimization for resource constrained systems
  • Separation of mechanism and policy

Feel free to post your proposals and corrections for this list.