Linux Guide/Software

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[edit] Linux GUIs

Desktop environments and window managers are not the same. A desktop environment includes all the software needed for a desktop, including a window manager, but a window manager only manages the windows and does not include any other software. Sometimes window managers provide extra features, such as a pager.

[edit] Desktop environments

  • GNOME - GNOME is a simple and easy to use desktop. It's a complete DE for Linux usually bundled with loads of applications ranging from a word processor to a music player.
  • KDE - The K Desktop Environment is a free Windows-like DE for Linux. It features a slick interface that is easy to control and customize.
  • XFCE - A small, fast, very simplistic and nice looking DE for Linux with a variety of themes from which to choose.

[edit] Window managers

  • Enlightenment - Not as minimalist, but still lightweight. The upcoming DR17 release is still in development, but offers a lot of eye candy.
  • FLUXBOX - Fluxbox is yet another WM for X, much more minimalist than XFCE. It's based on the Blackbox 0.61.1 code.
  • FVWM FVWM is a powerful and highly configurable WM. It has a lot of history. Many current window managers are based on FVWM, such as Enlightenment.
  • IceWM - an even more minimalist WM for X. The goal of IceWM is speed, simplicity, and not getting in the user's way.


Note: Both GNOME and KDE use comparatively higher system resources than XFCE and Fluxbox. So if you are on a old PC (eg., Pentium 200 MHz, or have less than 128 MB RAM) you should seriously consider XFCE and Fluxbox over the heavyweights. Same apply if you find KDE or GNOME somehow slow on your high end workstation. IceWM, though minimalist, is fast, reliable, themable, and less resource intensive than the others.
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