All I have!

One of the biggest advantages of the Linux desktop is the choice it gives users. If you don’t like the app menu in the bottom left corner of your screen, you can remove it. If you don’t like the way your file manager organizes your files, you can use another file manager. Admittedly, though, this can be confusing for users who aren’t used to making their own choices about how to use their computers. If you’re considering installing Linux, one of the choices you have to make is which desktop you want to use, and the best way to do that is to try several different desktops until you find one that feels right for you.

The default desktop

As the default desktop on Fedora, Ubuntu, Debian, and a few other operating systems, the GNOME desktop is probably the most popular Linux desktop. It has an easy-to-use and modern interface with little touches designed for the phone environment, so it feels natural even on a touchscreen.

However, some Linux distributions choose different desktop environments, such as KDE Plasma, Pantheon, Cinnamon, and Mate.

  • GNOME: Modern and easy to use, default desktop
  • Mate: Traditional GNOME
  • KDE: a powerful and configurable Plasma desktop
  • Cinnamon: Classic GNOME
  • Pantheon: The default desktop of ElementaryOS
  • Budgie: A soft tabletop
  • Trinity: Traditional KDE

Traditional Unix

Unix, the granddaddy of the modern operating system and the direct inspiration for Linux, has a surprisingly rich desktop history. Most people are unfamiliar with Unix desktop design because Unix computers are considered professional machines in academia, science, and film, not home computers. If you’re a Unix, IRIX, or NeXT user, you probably have fond memories of desktops like CDE or NeXTStep. Lucky for you, this tradition continues today:

  • Windowmaker: Renaissance of the NeXT interface
  • Enlightenment: a modern improved Windowmaker style desktop
  • Fluxbox: Think outside the Blackbox
  • Openbox: Improved availability of Blackbox
  • TWM: Sample desktop bound to death with X11
  • Fvwm: Improved TWM

Lightweight desktop

You may be wondering why Linux has so many desktops to choose from. You can chalk it up to personal preference and a low tolerance for inefficiency, but there are also technical benefits to optimizing the user interface. For example, an old computer that struggles to keep up with user interface updates can be given new life with a lightweight desktop. Also, you may just want to allocate CPU processing power to something other than the desktop, so it makes sense to keep your main user interface minimal. Whatever your motivation, here are some desktops you can try:

  • XFCE: Familiar desktop with minimal performance penalty
  • LXQT and LXDE: Familiar desktop with less performance penalty
  • PekWM: a Blackbox-style window manager
  • Joe’s Window Manager: Another BlackBox-style Window Manager
  • Ratpoison: No mouse
  • Herbstluftwm: Ratpoison for Vim users
  • Lumina: A desktop developed for PC-BSD

Experimental desktop

One of the things that happens when it’s relatively easy to create a desktop and integrate it into a system is that you get some interesting proof-of-concept projects and pilot projects. Some are more elaborate than others, and some are not as easy to install. These are probably not destined to become your permanent desktop, but they can be fun experiences:

  • Unix Desktop Environment: A remodeled version of this Desktop
  • Rox: It was the advanced and modern desktop for its time
  • MLVWM: What if the Apple IIe ran Unix?
  • Equinox: Just the most basic thing

Select your desktop

If too much choice overwhelms you, remember: desktop means optional. You are not obligated to try multiple desktops that come with distributions.

Many Linux power users will settle for one of the desktops their distribution provides. The most important thing is to get a Linux system that works with your computer and take the time to learn how it works. Ultimately, all desktops are meant to do the same thing: help you organize and manage your important data. It’s important that you understand how your desktop works. But if you already know all the aspects of your default desktop, you now have a ton of options to try out over the weekend. Have a good time!

Via: opensource.com/article/20/…

By Seth Kenlon (lujun9972

This article is originally compiled by LCTT and released in Linux China