Re: Thoughts about GNUstep

Tito,

On Fri, May 1, 2026 at 7:19 AM Tito Mari Francis Escaño <
[email protected]> wrote:

> Hi everyone,
> I have been looking at GNUstep from the sidelines.
> IMHO, for GNUstep to have a wider reach, we have to be able to function
> beyond GNU/Linux and consider BSDs, as well as have a concrete look and
> feel that showcase its strength.
>

We currently do.  Currently GNUstep is useable on: Windows, *BSD, Solaris,
Linux, Android.  With efforts to get it working on HaikuOS (I've done some
work on this).   So we are currently multiplatform in a significant way.

Many are tragically lazy to ponder the philosophy of a very fluid
> development framework and would rather start with how it looks before
> spending time and effort.
>

This is an unfortunate reality.  Sometimes appearance can be more
compelling than function.  While your framework might be gang-busters with
respect to functionality, if it's not pretty, then people will pass it by.
What most people miss with GNUstep is the themeable nature of the
framework.  This is why the desktop efforts we have are so important
because they emphasize the flexibility of the framework beyond it's NeXT
roots.

GNUstep may not have a fixed look and feel now but I think this is asked
> for by the situation for it to further grow.
>

Agreed.

I really like this technology, but I also prefer using OpenBSD as the OS to
> build stuff on.
>

You can, I have it running on OpenBSD here on x86_64.


> Thanks for the opportunity to share my thoughts on this matter.
>
>
Thank you for sharing. :)

Yours, GC

On Fri, May 1, 2026 at 6:29 PM Gryllida <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>
>> Hi Gregory and all,
>>
>> This message is me thinking out loud and is not fully polished. I will
>> try my best to explain.
>>
>> I think there is one missing item on the list of paths to success, that
>> is, human interactions. That also includes private interactions also as
>> mailing list is not always suitable for everything. Three sides that I am
>> seeing in this.
>>
>> 1. Having some ways to drag new developers to be engaged with existing
>> developers. Quarterly meetings are helpful but I do not even know when they
>> are, in my time zone. It could help to setup some space where people may
>> create a one paragraph bio, link to their codes, how they can be contacted
>> (chat, email, google hangout, mumble, discord) and what they either can
>> help with or would like to get help with, and their time zones. I have been
>> itching to make a few apps but I never did, because irc is most comfortable
>> for me to use, but is lacking a structure or enthusiasm.
>>
>> 2. I emailed Gregory privately on two occasions and received no reply.
>> The role of a leader is people comms too, and being proactive with it. If
>> you are not interested, then nominate someone else for the role of
>> coordinating communications while you are leading the development.
>>
>> 3. I saw mails about meetings but never saw meeting minutes being posted
>> via email. That may be just me but I simply do not recall what was
>> happening here in last 5 years apart from a few apps being released and a
>> few new iterations of a desktop that is based on gnustep. Those were
>> discussed for like a week and tgen seemingly died. People interactions may
>> be ongoing but are poorly exposed and as an outsider I do not know who is
>> doing what currently.
>>
>> Hope that this perspective is vaguely helpful, and I am open to further
>> duscussion if you like.
>>
>> -- Gryllida
>>
>

-- 
Gregory Casamento
GNUstep Lead Developer / Black Lotus, Principal Consultant
http://www.gnustep.org - http://heronsperch.blogspot.com
https://www.openhub.net/languages/objective_c