KDE or Gnome?
 

I've just set-up my computer to run on Mandrake LInux 9.2 really well... and i've been looking around the two types of x-windows systems (kde and gnome) and they seem pretty similar....

Can you tell me what is the main difference between these two, maybe which one is better for whom and so on?

Also another question, is there any chance in any of this systems to have a Tray for applications type like microsoft windows (i want to minimize some of my programs to tray)

You will really help me if you answered me :D

I would say the diff is quite subtle .. you should play around with both before choosing ...
PPL would say "use this" or "use that" but ... use both .. keep on switching until you settle on one ....
As for a tray ...
They both have trays .. under KDE : right click on a "Panel" -> "Add" -> "Applet" -> "System Tray"
As for GNOME (I can't really tell you right now, but it should be about the same steps )
.....
Oh one thing GNOME does better is it's accessibility (Good for old ppl or disabled ppl)

there isn't much difference between the 2, kde is a bit heavier on the system, but seems to have more bells and whistles. I would recommend you going with KDE, but its more of a personal preference; the functionality is pretty much the same.

I've been using GNOME with SuSE for a couple days now, and I really like Gnome... it seems to be a lot faster than KDE... SuSE is more KDE biased, though, so it's a little more work for me to configure. Different distros are different though.

shoe

What I mean is (for instance) how can I get xmms to go to tray when I minimize it?

Some of my applications do go to tray but I want to get any of them into it

thanks anyway

Oh. okay... In Gnome, anyway you right click on the tray Add to Panel > Utilities > Windows List... that should give a little box in the toolbar where, when you minimize it, your files will go, ala Windows


At least, that's how it works in SuSE

shoe

I know, not that bad lol :p

Well, i think it's not possible since in windows it was also difficult, I want it to go system tray... In kde for instance I have amsn go to tray, and I want xmms not to bother in the window list, but just have a small icon in the system tray... I don't know if you understand me, my english is not that good...

thanks

I haven't tried Gnome in Mandrake 9.2 yet. Mandrake is a KDE-biased distro, and there's no shame in that; if you don't like KDE, it's just not a good choice. I think KDE's okay, and so I like Mandrake.

I did try Gnome in Mandrake 9.1 It reminded me of Windows 3.0, but somewhat worse. If I stepped into the room, Win3.0 crashed. But Mandrake's sorry implementation of Gnome didn't bother to close the windows; it just hung. All the time. Clearly Mandrake didn't put too much effort into that bit of integration.

I see what you're saying. He wants it to go in his TRAY, not his taskbar. :p You know, when you boot up windows and on the bottom right corner, you have your little icons already there like your antivirus program and what-not. I don't know how to do it for XMMS, unfortunately. I know for KSCD, you just click on the "X" icon and it'll automatically just go to your tray in the bottom right corner.

I'm a little confused too, I think... forgive me if this isn't the answer, but I thought I'd throw it out just in case... You can do it sort of the same way... add to panel, multimedia, xmms applet... Then you can move it to the specified place... I don't know if that's what you mean.... It's not exactly like Windows, but that's how I have it set up. Then when you actually insert a CD, the XMMS logo turns into a little control panel, with volume control and play, pause, etc... I wouldn't say it's exactly like having it on the taskbar, as it still goes in your open windows bar when you minimize it, but there are controls from the taskbar at the bottom of the screen.

Sorry if this isn't what you're looking for... just thought I'd throw it out... It's got to be all this nyquil. :)

shoe

Now that I look, this is the only way you can get it on the tray, at least in Gnome... It doesn't give me any preferences to set as to just leaving it in the "control panel" mode... So you CAN get it on the bar, but you still have to actually open the program to use it... Is this what you mean? (back into my stupor)

shoe

Re: KDE or Gnome?
 

there is an alternative you might like:
- right click the xmms taskbar button, and send the program to desktop 2.
- In the taskbar properties, disable the "Show windows from all desktops", and the taskbar button will disappear too.

I think this is a nice way to get rid of programs that are in the way :) when I have a lot of work, and suddently want to do something else, I use a new fresh desktop :)


and for the KDE/GNOME question: this is just a personal taste. I like KDE, because it's visually very appealing, and has a lot of components / applications. Some people like a clean nice desktop like GNOME, and some even something completely different like Fluxbox. (fluxbox is based on the blackbox code)

In fact, this is what I use:
* I use KDE as desktop.
* The GDM (gnome display manager) login screen.
* I use XFce for vnc-sessions, because it looks cool, but is a very lite/fast desktop.. but often I use TWM too, because vnc can be slow for certain things. In fact, I would advice you to use XFce or IceWM if you're using an old slow system ;)
* I'm starting to create a fluxbox desktop for some MP3 Jukebox system. (just a context menu with play/xmms/copy cd options)

i think gnome is better it uses less resources and i think it looks a little better but its whatever you like try them both

you should give blackbox a try too :D