LinuxQuestions.org - [SOLVED] question about /etc/init.d/xdm and desktop environments

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question about /etc/init.d/xdm and desktop environments

Hi...
two quick questions:
1) are window managers and desktop environments 2 different things.
For example is Metacity a desktop environment or just a window manager?

2)if a X display manager is not already started do you start it with /etc/init.d/xdm or /etc/init.d/xdm start?

Thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by dksellou (Post 4884986)

1) are window managers and desktop environments 2 different things.
For example is Metacity a desktop environment or just a window manager?

Both windows manager and desktop environment are different.
A windows manager is a utility used to manage different windows opened in your system, whereas a desktop environment is overall setup of your desktop and what you are seeing on your desktop is all a part of your desktop environment.

Metacity is windows manager for GNOME desktop environment, but its not a destkop environment. A windows manager is also a part of your desktop environment. Commonly used desktop enviornments includes GNOME, KDE, XFCE etc.

For more details, check here.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dksellou (Post 4884986)

2)if a X display manager is not already started do you start it with /etc/init.d/xdm or /etc/init.d/xdm start?

Service management may be different in different OS. For a perfect answer, mention your distro, its version and which desktop environment (plus its version) you're using.
However, you can check for appropriate desktop services under:

Code:

~$ cd /etc/init.d

~$ ls gdm xdm

But nothing specific could be suggested until complete information is provided.

Thank you so much
for question 2 I use Suse linux enterprise server 11 and use it through VMware. so what should i type at acoomand prompt to start the xdm if it is not started...
i hope it makes more sense now...
:(

Which desktop environment is has - GNOME or KDE? Not much sure about desktop config. in Suse, but as far as I remember, Suse should have KDE.

So you can start it from terminal using:-

Code:

~$ /opt/kde3/bin/startkde

Alright. Did you check gnome desktop service (gdm) under /etc/init.d/?

You can start it from CLI using:

Code:

~$ which gnome-session

~$ gnome-session &

This document could be helpful.

Yeah I know I was just wondering about the xdm and whether was /etc/init.d/xdm or /etc/init.d/xdm start

Yes, you can manage xdm service in this way,

Code:

~$ sudo /etc/init.d/xdm start

~$ sudo /etc/init.d/xdm stop

~$ sudo /etc/init.d/xdm reload

Similarly, gnome desktop can be managed using gdm.
xdm is also kind of desktop manager, but older than gdm and lacks graphics and features like gnome.

Hope this make it more clear!

Thank you all so much !!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by dksellou (Post 4885789)

Thank you all so much !!!

Hope above explainations helped. So you can mark the thread as solved (Thread Tools > Mark this thread as solved).