Getting into the DesktopIn the past few years, (Most popular web site)
Getting into the DesktopIn the past few years, graphical user interfaces (GUIs) available for Linux have become as easy to use as thoseonthe Apple Mac or Microsoft Windows systems. With theseimprovements, even a novice computer user can start usingLinux without needing to have an expert standing by. You don t need to understand the underlying framework ofthe X Window System, window managers, widgets, and what- nots to get going with a Linux desktop system. That s why Istart by explaining how to use the two most popular desktopenvironments: KDE (K desktop environment) and GNOME. After that, if you want to dig deeper, I tell you how you can puttogether your own desktop by discussing how to choose yourown X-based window manager to run in Linux. Understanding Your DesktopWhen you install Linux distributions such as Fedora Core, SUSE, and Mandrakelinux, you have the option to chooseadesktop environment. Distributions such as Gentoo andDebian GNU/Linux give you the option to go out and get what- ever desktop environment you want (without particularlyprompting you for it). When you are given the opportunitytoselect a desktop during installation, your choices usuallyinclude one or more of the following: .K Desktop Environment (www.kde.org) In additionto all the features you would expect to find in a completedesktop environment (window managers, toolbars, pan- els, menus, keybindings, icons, and so on), KDE has manybells and whistles available. Applications for graphics, multimedia, office productivity, games, system adminis- tration, and many other features have been integrated towork smoothly with KDE, which is the default desktopenvironment for SUSE, KNOPPIX, and various other Linuxdistributions. 33CHAPTER …In This ChapterUnderstandingyourdesktopUsing the K desktopenvironmentUsing the GNOMEdesktop environmentConfiguring yourown desktop …