X Windows System (X11)

Hi,

Just installing another ditro of Linux - Slackware.

Got the the screen where it says "select default window manager for x" and i've got the following options. Want to select something like Windows if possible:

xinitrc.xfce
xinitrc.blackbox
xinitrc.fluxbox
xinitrc.wmaker
xintrc.fvwm2
xinitrc.twm

I'm just going to select one at random for now - is it easy to change if I find I've done wrong???? Many thanks in advance.

 

If you want a Windows experience, you want to install KDE. Out of those choices, you should probably pick XFCE.

 

im not sure if i remember correctly if you type pkgtool there should be a setup which allows you to redo parts of the setup for the installation i think you can change the window manager there

 

I'm a Debian guy now. It's been ten years since I messed with Slackware, so I don't know if this will work for you.

If you install 'gdm', you can select your desktop environment at login. You can change it permanently, or just try it out for that session. It's a convenient way to try out different window managers.

Another alternative is to use 'xnest' to run a window manager in a window. You should be able to start multiple 'xnest' windows with a different desktop in each.

Schwab

 

xnest is for xbirds to lay their xeggs into.

 

Of the options listed, only one of those is a "DE" or "Desktop Environment", all the others are "Window Managers".

I'm not 100% sure of the difference, but I'm fairly certain it boils down to this:
a Desktop Environment is a whole suite of programs, so it'll include a default file manager, terminal emulator, toolbars, etc. (it'll have a default window manager as well). The most common DEs are GNOME and KDE.
a Window Manager on the other hand is just the component than handles managing program Windows and launching different programs (either through menus, or shortcuts, or whatever).

Generally speaking, a DE is simpler to get started with and configure, while just running a WM will give you more control and customization. Running JUST a WM will also be lighter weight and use less system resources.

It is also possible to run a different (non-default) WM within a DE.

Oh yeah, and, fairly easy to change WMs, I'm fairly certain that all it usually takes is just editing the "exec" command in ~/.xinitrc (unless Slackware does things differently... not likely though)

Well, I guess that's the best I can do at explaining, hope it cleared things up for you (though I may have just made things more confusing...)

And, feel free to correct me if I made a mistake somewhere (wouldn't surprise me in the least)...

 

Yes it is easy to change:

Look in /etc/X11/xinit
It contains all the xinitrc scripts for the window managers you have installed. Additionally there is the file xinitrc which will be used as a default if you start X by the startx script. xinitrc is just a symlink. So, if you want to set another window manager as your default, the only thing you have to do is link xinitrc to your choice.
e.g.:

Code:

ln -sf /etc/X11/xinitrc/xinitrc.twm /etc/X11/xinitrc

 

You can check them out for yourself

Xfce screenshots which is a full DE (Desktop Environment) like Gnome or KDE
Blackbox screenshots
Fluxbox screenshots
Windowmaker screenshots
Fvwm2 screenshots
Twm screenshots 1 2 3 4

A good description as to the differences between Desktop Environments (DE) and Window Managers (WM) can be read here. And THE website for a comprehensive listing of various DEs and WMs for Linux is here.

Good Luck..

 

I'm very fond of enlightenment myself. Its nothing at all like windows, but its lightweight and looks real nice.