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Ubuntu: From GNOME to KDE

Hi all,

(n00b :newbie: Alert)

i'm currently using Ubuntu 5.10 with GNOME (by default), and would like to try out KDE.

i've read through the short sections "KDE for Ubuntu Users" and "Switching Desktops" of the "About Kubuntu" documentation on the Kubuntu website, and whilst it does seem quite straightforward, i feel i need to understand some things better before taking the plunge. (i'll quote the relevant parts of the documentation as i go along.)

Quote:

To install Kubuntu you just need to install the kubuntu-desktop package.

This seems straightforward enough, and i've done some similar things before, just go to Synaptic Package Manager and install the package called "kubuntu-desktop" i suppose. But, installing a package is just downloading or copying some required files right? Do i still need to somehow "switch" from GNOME to KDE after installing the package? If so, how? And how can i later switch back from KDE to GNOME if need be?

Quote:

Furthermore, during installation you will be given the choice of using either the GNOME Display Manager (GDM) or the K Display Manager (KDM) as login managers.

Either display manager will suffice and after installation you will be able to run both GNOME and KDE session types. Feel free to try KDM, you can always switch back to GDM later if you like. The only differences are the artwork used before you login and being able to shut down or restart your computer from without logging out first, KDM only allows this from KDE while GDM only allows this from GNOME.

Ah ok, so a display manager (KDM and GDM) is different from a display environment (KDE and GNOME), and i can actually use KDE with GDM or GNOME with KDM, but i will be unable to shutdown or reboot without logging off first.

Erm, questions:
Why would anyone want to use KDE with GDM or GNOME with KDM? (Equivalently, why not simply use KDE with KDM or GNOME with GDM?)
How do i switch from GDM to KDM and vice-versa apart from "during installation"?
And basically, what is difference between a "display manager" and a "display environment"?

Apologies if what i'm asking is very basic and doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

TIA and Regards,
Edwin

At the login screen, click on Session (towards the bottom of the screen) and a list of installed Window Managers will appear there. You can log in to Gnome or KDE or whatever else you have installed (Windowmaker, Enlightenment, Afterstep, PWM, Waimea, Rox, Ratpoison, and so on).
If you want to change from GDM to KDM (they're just log in managers) type
sudo dpkg-reconfigure gdm
or
sudo dpkg-reconfigure kdm
You will then be asked which one you want to use to oversee the login process.
You can log in to Gnome using KDM and KDE using GDM.

I don't think there's a difference between "display environment" and "window manager" - two names for the same thing (I think).

Quote:

But, installing a package is just downloading or copying some required files right? Do i still need to somehow "switch" from GNOME to KDE after installing the package? If so, how? And how can i later switch back from KDE to GNOME if need be?

When you install kubunt-desktop it will list a bunch of dependencies, these are what actually are needed to run KDE. Just so you know, in the future you can remove kubuntu-desktop without losing the rest of KDE. When you logon to KDE it will probably ask if you want to change this to your default, doesn't make much difference. Your default will be the one that comes up when you login without doing anything to change the window manager though.

Quote:

Why would anyone want to use KDE with GDM or GNOME with KDM? (Equivalently, why not simply use KDE with KDM or GNOME with GDM?)

You can only use one desktop manager at a time. I'd say go with the one associated with whichever you think you'll use more often, since this will let you shutdown directly more often.

Hi,

Thanks for all your replies. With your help i have managed to get KDE working. Just a summary of what has been said here, what i did and what i've learnt for all who are interested.

To install KDE in Ubuntu, just install the kubuntu-desktop package using Synaptic Package Manager.

GDM and KDM are display managers while GNOME and KDE are desktop environments.

The login screens for GDM and KDM look different. (That's duh, but that's the only difference between GDM and KDM i've noticed so far, please help me out here.)

You can select GNOME or KDE when logging in, regardless of whether you are using GDM or KDM.

If you use GNOME with KDM or KDE with GDM, you have to log out of the session before you can shutdown or reboot. (Again, that's duh, but i have yet to see any other disadvantage of using GNOME with KDM or vice-versa, please help me out again.)

To switch from GDM to KDM just "dpkg-reconfigure gdm", choose KDM, then reboot.

To switch from KDM to GDM just "dpkg-reconfigure kdm", choose GDM, then reboot.

Please correct me if i'm wrong with anything.

Thanks and Regards,
Edwin

Quote:

Originally Posted by edwin11

The login screens for GDM and KDM look different. (That's duh, but that's the only difference between GDM and KDM i've noticed so far, please help me out here.)

Basically KDM is KDE's solution to a DM and GDM is gnome's answer to a DM. They both do the same job. Its down to preference which one you want to use, though it makes sense to use the DM that 'belongs' to the DE that you use the most.