The biggest issue with Gnome, (as we've talked about in the past) is that it is becoming more like Microsoft Windows everyday. The gnome developers clearly are in bed with Microsoft behind closed doors, anyone with an IQ of 100 should be able to see that.
Linux is supposed to be open source, Linux is supposed to let you do what you want, not what it wants. Linux is supposed to be about choice, and your right to choose what you want, and how you want to go about it. Microsoft is about taking your right to choose away from you, and telling you what you will do and that you will like it. The developers of Gnome, in my humble opinion, are breaking the unsaid laws of Linux.
Unfortunately, there is no way to punish the Gnome developers from breaking an unsaid law, so they get away with it. XFCE is superior in every way, and that isn't an exaggeration either, that is a fact. But what bothers me about the XFCE developers, is that it appears that they are going the way of Gnome as well. In the next release of XFCE, its said to become closer to Gnome, and I think that is awful!
As far as I can see right now, XFCE 4.12, is the only option in Linux. Xubuntu 18.04 is pretty much your only choice at this point if you leave Zorin OS. Because it contains XFCE 4.12. I've been told by Aravisian that if you install Xubuntu 18.04, and when the time comes that it wants to update, he said to not let it update, otherwise it will update the OS to the new version, which means also the new desktop version as well.
Aravisian can talk more on the subject then I can as he is more knowledgeable about it. I just have enough knowledge to know that Gnome is evil, and XFCE 4.12 is heaven on earth for desktop computer's. lol - I am sure this topic will spark large debate, and you knew that when you created it SWARF. HEHE