this post was submitted on 15 Jan 2024
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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
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It's part of the "focus" workflow. Having app indicators might distract you from your current task, so they don't want them.
Not only that, but they aren't standardised, and Gnome really likes adhering to standards and staying away from anything they consider unstandardised or janky.
System trays really are a complete clusterfuck.
Sometimes the icons have colour, sometimes they don't, sometimes they're minimalist icons, sometimes they're not. Sometimes you left click on them to do something, sometimes you need to right click, sometimes it's both, sometimes they have their own menu UI, sometimes they integrate with the system's, sometimes you can exit an app via them, sometimes you can't, sometimes they give you notifications, sometimes they just do it through your standard OS notification system, etc.
They are an inconsistent mess. And we all know how anal Gnome can be about UX consistency.
Gnome in the past has expressed a desire for a standardised, cross-desktop system tray that fixes these issues, but tbh I'm sceptical it'd catch on. Not because other desktops wouldn't get on board, but rather because app developers will just go "meh, we'll just stick to what we have" and it won't gain traction.