Linux · Graphics System (X11/Wayland)

People say a system "runs Wayland" like it's a program. Strictly speaking, what is Wayland, and what actually runs?

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More in Graphics System (X11/Wayland)

You installed Linux on a laptop with an NVIDIA GPU and after enabling Secure Boot the machine boots but never reaches a graphical login. What single UEFI setting is the usual cause?
During an Ubuntu install on a machine with an NVIDIA GPU, which boot-menu choice keeps the graphics system from failing to start before drivers are in place?
On Ubuntu, when the desktop won't come up because no graphics driver is loaded, how do you find and install the right proprietary driver purely from a text console?
On Fedora, what does installing NVIDIA drivers from the terminal look like, and what does the install change so the driver is used after reboot?
Given only that you're running GNOME, why is GNOME the safest bet for using Wayland by default rather than any other desktop?
Wayland has been the default direction for years, yet one specific class of hardware is called out as the last major obstacle to its widespread use. Which one, and why?