GNOMEinspired

GNOME-inspired is a term used to describe computer software and operating systems that resemble or are heavily influenced by the GNOME desktop environment. Despite not being a direct ancestor or the official successor of GNOME, such projects often share similar design principles and user interfaces.

Many of these GNOME-inspired projects are developed as independent open-source initiatives, such as Cinnamon and MATE. These alternatives emerged after GNOME undergone significant changes, including a shift to the GNOME Shell display server, which was adopted in version 3.0.

GNOME-inspired environments often cater to users seeking a more traditional or customizable desktop experience. Cinnamon, for example, has gained popularity among users who prefer a more classical desktop layout, whereas MATE retains the GTK+ 2-based architecture and the classic look and feel of GNOME 2.

While GNOME is primarily developed as a free and open-source project, the community surrounding GNOME-inspired environments tends to be focused on creating highly customizable and user-friendly interfaces. Some of these desktop environments also include features and tools that are not available in the official GNOME release.

GNOME-inspired projects continue to be supported by active communities and undergo ongoing development. As a result, users have a choice between the official GNOME desktop and alternative desktop environments that retain similar characteristics and design elements.