Thank you all so much for such great and informative posts!

As you can see, and some of you have kindly commented, I didn't understand that their is a difference between a WM and a desktop environment (DE?); I really am a newbie!

Now that I know that there is a real difference, I'd like to understand that difference, what each one's method and function is individually, and how they interact and work together as a team.

Su Shee, you always get right at the heart of what I'm looking for and wanting to accomplish, and what that is is a true "bottom up" approach to Linux, as in learning and building a strong foundation from the very first onward, and what you have described to me is exactly what I desire to do. Once I have accomplished this, then I may or may not choose to implement more automation and GUI.

You think I have questions now? Just wait until I actually get started!

Try as many as you can and you'll then decide for yourself which works best for you.

The difference between a windowmanager and desktop environment you'll find explained in this thread.

Thank you!