Gnome or KDE: That is the question

stilllearing · 12-08-2009, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by forrestt

If you are new to Linux, this isn't an issue as it wouldn't be the way you work, but for me (20+ years of Unix work) it is a show stopper.

WOW: will you be my new best friend, LOL… Really though I have little less than 2 years to cram as much as I can in my head. I do not need to be a programming master but I do need to understand what is being done.

I will not be “IT”, but I hope to be the pencil pusher for the department, I am sure you know what I mean. Doesn’t sound as great a position written like that LOL but it is a big step forward.

As a UNIX guru, what do you suggest be my main concern. I have “Linux Shell Scripting With Bash” is that a good start?

Thanks for your time.

forrestt · 12-08-2009, 05:37 PM

It all depends on where you want to go. If you like the idea of writing applications, learn c/c++, GTK, and QT. If you like the idea of being a sysadmin, then shell scripting (sh/bash are my favorites) and Perl. You would also do well to learn vi (you can be guaranteed that it will be on any *nix box you go to).

HTH

Forrest

stilllearing · 12-08-2009, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David the H.

As you know by now, you can select from multiple interfaces, from very simple no-frills window managers all the way up to the fully integrated environments of KDE and Gnome...

(things are different in the server world).

But even here you have choices. The "shell" is actually the interface program that you use in the console to communicate with the underlying system, and the standard Linux shell is called Bash. It's possible to use others instead, such as ksh and tsch, each one having it's own syntax and unique features, but you should probably stay with Bash for the time being.

I found this bash tutorial to be particularly useful when I was just starting out: http://www.linuxcommand.org/index.php

Thank you so much for all the information you have given me here. This was far beyond what I expected. I have visited the site you suggested and will spend countless hours there as well as Sun’s learning pages. I do believe I have found a good spot to gather information. So far my experance here has been wonderful.

stilllearing · 12-08-2009, 06:11 PM

While I play with web pages and with visual basic, I need to focus my attention on learning things that would be mundane to you.
The pencil pusher for IT retires in 21 months, the senior IT was offered his position and he flat turned it down, said he wouldn’t have it for nothing. The company wants to move me to that position. This would get me out of HR (which I hate by the way) and move me to a place I can learn more of what I enjoy (computers).
While I was confused between programs and desktop environments, I do believe David the H. set me straight. I will not have to reprogram anything, but I do need to understand it. Things like changing passwords, adding and removing users, setting access and checking if someone has accessed something they shouldn’t. The IT team is very competent and does their job well, but I need to understand what their job is to ensure the company stays secure and continues to grow with new advancements.
A driver doesn’t need to know how to rebuild a car, but he/she should have an understanding as to how it works.
If I do not feel I can handle this, we WILL hire outside. Not my first choice LOL.

To everyone:
Thanks for all your help

carlosinfl · 12-08-2009, 06:38 PM

Like all said above. It comes down to what you're going to use the WM for. I prefer Gnome just for simplicity. I say download / install both on your system and try them out. That is the joy of Linux. You can have as many WM as your disk can hold and swap between them. Use the one that best suits your likes and needs.

evo2 · 12-08-2009, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stilllearing

I have used the LiveCD for many distributions of Linux (Ubuntu, PCLinuxOS, Fedora, OpenSUSE to name a few) and have settled on one in particular, Solaris.

Ehh? Solaris? That's not linux. IIRC Open Solaris comes with Gnome desktop by default, so you may be best off simply starting with that. Later you can (I assume) install KDE and give that test run too.

Anyway regardless of what kernel you are running (Linux or Solaris), it's best just to try things (Desktop environments or whatever) then use the one your prefer.

Cheers,

Evo2.

MTK358 · 12-08-2009, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zordrak

If Fedora still works how I remember it working Way Back When, then you probably want something like `switchdesk kde`.

Code:

$ switchdesk kde
bash: switchdesk: command not found

i92guboj · 12-09-2009, 04:32 PM

From a user perspective, the biggest difference that I perceive is that Gnome developers think that features are a bad thing, while in kde every single toy on your desktop is highly configurable.

From a developer perspective, well, kde is c++/qt and gnome is c/gtk+. There are bindings for many languages in both cases though. The most important reason why I'd choose kde as a development platform nowadays is portability, which has greatly improved with qt4. Gtk on the contrary is not very well supported and tested outside linux, as far as I know.

nebutron · 12-16-2009, 08:34 PM

I'm fairly new to LInux myself. A couple years ago started playing with a few different distros, OpenSuse, PCLinuxOS, Mandriva and a few others before I settled on Ubuntu. Have used both KDE and Gnome desktop environments. My personal experience has been that Gnome is more stable. I have found it to be much more intuitive. Things are generally where I guess they will be. If I'm not sure, I can usually right-click and find a menu telling me what I can do from there. It is a matter of preference really. No quesion my preference is Gnome.