I see it more as a lesson in achieving success. The most prominent desktop operating systems, such as macOS and Windows, adopt a single, unified desktop environment. This consistency enhances usability, simplifies support, and enables deep integration between software and system design. It is a model that works not because it restricts choice, but because it prioritizes coherence.
For BSD, the answer is not to imitate the endless variety of Linux desktops, but to bring the desktop wars to a close by creating a native, cohesive desktop designed specifically for the platform. This would not only reduce duplication and improve the user experience, but also foster a distinct identity for the BSD desktop. A clear and consistent interface signals maturity, stability, and a unified vision.
The economic advantages are evident. Reduced complexity results in lower support and documentation costs, fewer user-facing inconsistencies, and a system that can be confidently presented to users, developers, and vendors. A BSD-native desktop is not about limiting freedom. It is about directing effort where it offers the greatest long-term value. It is also about affirming that BSD is not merely a technical foundation, but a complete and self-defined computing environment."
