1) What is the difference?

2) Which one is better?

1) Not much
2) Neither.

This is asked far too often. If you install both, then you can not only use either, but you can also use the application from either in both! Cool? Both are resource hogs, and both are Windows-esque! Use either, and use both. They are equally used in the Linux world, so use both.

I second Thymox's comments. Very well worded Thymox. 1 thing to add...

If you have the room, install em both. If you don't, install one (pick one) and try it. If it's nice, good. Now take it off, and install the other. If it's nicer, then keep it, if not, take it off and put the other back on.

Cool

This subject shows up at least once a month i notice. Most of the time it turns into a flame war, here is what i think of both:

gnome: more gloomy, "pop-out" look
kde: more windows like, easier to theme, built in wm, more apps/support.

But install them both and see which one you like, its a tough choice.

Or dont install neither of them and just use WindowMaker...lol

But you'll still need to install the Libraries in order to run any KDE or Gnome programs. Try running konsole or any other K app, for that matter, under WindowMaker without having any of the QT/KDE libs. It ain't gonna happen!

Hmm, KDE apps are not that much important, there is another app for any KDE app. Konsole, run rxvt or xterm. QT on the other hand is necessary. Same thing for gnome.

Yep... I know that, but with so many apps these days being developed under QT, it'd be daft not to install the libs at least.

I'd go with the use both & use neither philosophy. For me (I have found out), the WM is a means to an end. If i want to check my email, I need to open my mail client. Clicking on an icon (KDE & Gnome) is one option, having your own, customised Fluxbox/Blackbox/Windowmaker etc menu is another and the command line is the all powerful goddess of all. After exactly one year of total Linux (home) use (I will celebrate this weekend!!), I don't care which i use. I need libs for both Gnome and KDE but, login speed is an issue for me so Flux is my answer. KDE is on my system for my partner (the box has to be PC for her) and Gnome is there "for fun". I now use the command line more and more (very frustrating at "Windows98 SE" workplace! Ho! Ho!) so it doesn't matter (apart from resources) what I'm using. All I want is Sylpheed on my screen - NOW! Load evrything on (if you have space) and sleep around. It really doesn't matter. Don't let it get in the way of the work you have to do - the WM doesn't do that.

Thank you all for your input, but unless anyone else has some valuable nuggets, may I suggest that we bring this to a close? There are too many threads around with a 'my GUI is better than yours' aire about them. I think the main points have been covered here that you should at least install the libraries from both, but the choice of desktop to actually use will come down to personal preference. Let's not allow this thread to descend in the same manner as would normally be the case.

Cheers.

yes, always install the GTK and QT libraries... and use the environment or WM u prefer..

and yes.. this thread can be closed down