Quote:
Originally posted by leach117
I have windows me and i want to get linux xfce. Do i have to get linux and get it so i can run me and linux and then get xfce or is xfce its own version of linux? I want to get xfce and i am new to linux.
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that's not a problem.. but you could start a thread too.
Linux is an operating system; ie a kernel. companies like redhat and suse use this kernel, plus a lot of other free programs (ingredients) to create a linux distribution (menu)
Windows is build as one monolithic system; everything is integrated with each other. Linux uses different layers, which offers a lot of flexibility:
- you'll have the kernel. (the actual thing we call linux)
- there is something that boots your system (lilo/grub + init)
- there is something that displays graphics (xfree86, one of many x11 servers)
- there is something that handles your windows borders (xfree only pains what applications tell it to do)
- and there is something to create a complete desktop environment, for example KDE, GNOME, .....and indeed,
XFCE. instead of the word desktop, I'd like to call this your workspace / workplace.
A linux distribution combines all these ingredients, and a configuration item where you can say "I want xfce to be my desktop". Next time you login, xfce will be presented at your screen. If you use a graphical login (like gdm), you can even choose the workspace from a menu before you login.
different people have different requirements or flavours, and you can choose what suits you the best.
links:
http://www.xfce.org/,
http://www.distrowatch.com/,
http://www.distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resource=major