Is it possible to install window managers/desktops other than Gnome and KDE in Linux if you're not a programming ace? I've had a look at a few on the web that seem cool, but they have little-to-no documentation about actually installing them, and what info there is sounds very esoteric. Are there any that can be installed by mere mortals? Best I've come across so far is Fluxbox (in terms of documentation) but even it doesn't give enough info for a non-programmer to get it going. Even a site with specific info on installing a window manager s in general would help.

depends what distro you have

Mandrake 10.1

XFCE's new graphical installer would be what you want, but this is the exception rather than the rule unless you use your own distro's packages.

www.xfce.org

Mandrake probably has most of those already in its software repository. Check in the software module of the Mandrake Contol Centre for available packages..

use easy URPMI to update your sources, and then browse for window managers. this is the easiest way, i found. Or use the graphical installer to xcfe as suggested by samwwwblack suggested.

Easy urpmi doesn't seem to have been included in my Mandrake, nor can I find it to download. And, like I said, I cannot see anything relevant in the graphical installer.

Correction: haven't tried xfce, it's not installed either. Tried installing, into dependency hell we go.

Urpmi is installed on Mandrake by default. Its gui frontend is he software management ottl in the Mandrake Control Centre (the gui is called rpmdrake). You can add additional sources to urpmi by going to zebulon.org.uk and easyurpmi.

I'll take your word for it, but I'm geting no nearer to understanding how to use rpmdrake to install a window manager. It only allows installation of apps included on the Mandrake cd's. I am looking to install the likes of Fluxbox, Afterstep or fvwm. Actually, got Flux installed, thanks to it having an rpm the actually works, but can't get it onto menu (see thread in distros!). No joy with other 2: too many problems with make to continue.
My orig question was can a non-techie istall a destop, my conclusion is no, it's too complex. Story of my Linux life! Will be dual-booting with XP for a while yet.

if you had followed my links, you would have realised that you can configure urpmi to install rpm packages from Mandrake repositories on the internet that contain extra packages that are not included in your cd's.

I apolagise; yes indeed the Easy Urpmi site has a great facility for installing the app. However, I'm not sure it will help my particular problem. Indeed it did make installing some other troublesome rpm's a piece of cake, but not the window managers. Only Flux box comes in rpm form (the others are in src, which I just can't do!), but flux doesn't automatically add itself to the dropdown list in kdm, and I haven't been able to find any more info on that.
Without wanting to sound negative, I do stand by my verdict that installing a wm is not a job for even a semi-newbie. :-(
But thanks for the info on urpmi, no doubt it will be useful in the future.

what other one do you want to install?

Would like to try fvwm or Afterstep. Both look interesting, but only available in src, and I got make errors. Enlightenment looks cool too. Basically I'm just experimenting, but I don't have much linux know-how (it's my MS skills I get paid for!)

enlightenment is pretty easy, make sure you have imlib2 and freetype2 installed ( remember you are running a rpm distro so install the devel packages too)

Afterstep needs libjpeg ( may be called just jpeg depending on your distro), libtiff ( again may be called just tiff), libpng and freetype ( as well as the -devel packages)

and of course, make sure you have a working development environment installed.