Hi,

Can someone please explain the difference between a Windows Manager and a Desktop Environment? Sorry for the n00b question, but I'm a bit confused. Also, what do you suggest for a fast WM/DE? I am using KDE and it seems to be very slow.

Ryan

"Desktop Environments" are full featured "environments" as the name suggests. They include lots of tools and applications. They are generally easy to use and customize. The most common are Gnome and KDE.

The "Window Managers" are minimalist. They don't allow for customization as easily as a desktop environment. They also don't have any extra applications or configuration tools. Most require hand editing of configuration files to create or customize menus. Th plus side is that they are very fast. Two examples are Fluxbox and IceWM.

A window manager like fluxbox will run much faster than KDE, but it won't have any bells and whistles, and if you want to change something, plan to spend a lot of time RTFM'ing.

A WM manages windows. It gives you an area around your programs that you can use to move or resize the window.
Try starting twm sometime to see a bare bone WM.

A DE is much more. You usually have an integrated file manager with drag 'n' drop, some kind of menu bar,
graphic tools to change screen resolution, mouse settings and so on.

In short: if it's slow, memory eating and allows you to change everything you never wanted to change
in the first place; it's a DE.
If it's fast, easy on the RAM and won't allow you to do anything; it's a WM.

I can really recommend Xfce-4.2 as a fast DE. Another one is WindowMaker (it might be classed as a WM though).

If you need a super fast WM, go for blackbox or fluxbox.

- Peder

A window manager adds things like the ability to move, resize, use common widgets to manipulate the window (minimize, maximize, close)

A DE adds all the Eye candy. Menu's, Panels, Session Management, Screensavers, Ability to change themes, look and feel.

A DE uses considerably more resources than a WM. Lower end hardware would benefit considerably by not using a DE but rather using a WM.

Examples: Blackbox, twm (VERY BASIC), fvwm (Win 95 look and feel)
Goto http://www.linux.org/apps/all/GUI/Window_Managers.html for more WM's

How would I go about uninstalling KDE and installing XFCE?

Ryan

Unless you're seriously hurting for hard drive space, there's no particular reason to uninstall KDE.

Thank you everyone for your help. It was greatly appreciated.

Ryan

Hi,
I've just installed XFCE 4.2 from this site :
http://www.eslrahc.com/10.1/

add the urpmi.addmedia.. in your sources, than install XFCEt's quite cool !

To add that in your sources, open a console, change to root , copy the line with urpmi..., paste it in your console. Done ! Go to RPMDrake : all the rpms are added. Easy to install

Cheers !