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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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[Opinion] Why Distros Should Stop Theming Apps (thekernalblog.github.io)

submitted 3 years ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 years ago* (last edited 3 years ago)

That's why I think it's ironic how devs are the ones who want to place the blame on the user "Distro", asking them to not theme it. It's perfectly possible to make a Gtk app that doesn't break with theming, just how it's possible to make a beautiful HTML page that supports user stylesheets and doesn't rely on modern overcomplicated layers of frameworks that rely on weak assumptions.

Imho, app, theme and Gtk devs need to seat and set up the semantic rules that separate what's content from what's style.

A Gtk app should not try to define the style, the theme should.

I get that some apps might want to differentiate themselves from the rest.. but then that's completely against the idea of having a toolkit that's shared and that gives a consistent look. If what you want is a unique look for the app, go the Google Chrome route and build your main UI without relying on GTK theming. Or shoehorning the clusterfuck into the app, harcoding it all at static compilation if need be. It'll be defeating the point of having a consistent toolkit.. but well.. if you don't want users to have that theming freedom, don't give it. Just don't pretend it was the distro's or the user's fault that they used the theming options. Imho, Gtk themes are for theming, not for apps to personalize their own look on top of any specific theme that was designed to be set by the user environment.

Just a personal opinion.