The relationship with XFree86 and Gnome and KDE

docterling · 04-27-2004, 02:44 AM

HI,everyone!
Once I saw someone said"Linux is actually a kernel."

So now I want to just install the kernel(2.6.x or lower) in my computer,and someday I want a X environment.Could I just install the XFree86 and no other(gnome or kde),does it work?does it provide me a X environment?and later I want to use gnome or kde as my X environment,what should I do?just install?
OR at the beginning,after I install my kernel,I want to use the gnome or kde as my X environment,do I need to first install the XFree86?or I just install gnome or kde,does it work?if it doesn't,does it mean the gnome or kde is base on XFree86?you must install XFree86 first.is that right?

In one word,What's the relationship between XFree86 and gnome and kde?
THX!
BTW,I am Chinese,so my question you look would make you fell strange.

trickykid · 04-27-2004, 07:38 AM

XFree is the X server but in order for you to get a working environment you will need a Window Manager at least. KDE and Gnome are not Window Manager's but rather Desktop environments which use Window Managers.

Check out this site, it has a large list of both that are available with resources on them: http://xwinman.org/

And of course you can learn more about XFree at www.xfree86.org