What DE/window manager do you recommend for me?

[Nicholas Escalona]

I'm not actually running Ubuntu but Arch. I'm looking for a DE/WM mainly with two characteristics: (A) a focus on maximum configurability, and (B) no hiding information and options from the user.

I'm looking for something that follows the KISS principle, without sacrificing extensibility (much like Arch). I'm definitely not looking for a Windows or Mac clone: those OSes wipe their asses with principle (B) up there.

I don't terrifically mind needing to install a bunch of software because it doesn't happen to be bundled. That's definitely a secondary sort of consideration.

Thanks for all youse advice. :)

EDIT: I'm looking for something that follows the two principles listed last here (user-centric and freedom): http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/...y#User-centric
It's put far better there than I can put it.

[ugm6hr]

I think almost any of the 4 DEs can be manually configured using text files etc if you want to, beyond what is "visible" to the user.

[kerry_s]

gnome or xfce4, both are A, i think gnome has some B, but nothing you can't work around.

[Nicholas Escalona]

kerry_s: What do you mean by A and B?

I think almost any of the 4 DEs can be manually configured using text files etc if you want to, beyond what is "visible" to the user.

Perhaps, but given a choice I would avoid DEs which seem to put usability above functionality. Denounce me for a purist if you will, but this is just for personal use and practicality is not as much of a priority at first. I have in mind the same philosophy by which Arch is not something that is supposed to work "out of the box."


I'm looking for something that follows the two principles listed last here (user-centric and freedom): http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/The_Arch_Way#User-centric
It's put better there than I can put it.

[ugm6hr]

kerry_s: What do you mean by A and B?

I'm looking for something that follows the two principles listed last here (user-centric and freedom): http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/The_Arch_Way#User-centric
It's put better there than I can put it.

I suspect the A and B s/he referred to are in your 1st post.

I am a little confused though. Are you trying to find a DE that doesn't work out of the box so that you can make it work?

If you just want to be able to configure stuff from a default setup, then as kerry_s states, Gnome and Xfce4 are good choices. I would add LXDE to that list (which is essentially a collection of tools bundled together).

My personal suggestion would be Xfce4, LXDE, Gnome (in that order). Xfce and LXDE are not as tightly integrated with their various components as Gnome, so allow more customisation with different components if you prefer. Of the 2, I think Xfce has the more configurable panel (xfce4-panel), desktop settings, file manager (thunar) and window manager (xfwm), although any of those components can be used in LXDE if you want.

PS: I have only ever used KDE for about 5 minutes, so cannot comment on it.

[Bucky Ball]

Openbox. Takes some initial configuring (put aside at least an hour or more) but once set up the way you want rocket fast. VERY configurable.

[Nicholas Escalona]

re A&B: Oh of course. Sorry, it's late over here. :rolleyes:

It's not that I want to make it more difficult, it's just that when a piece of software isn't set up perfectly when you first get it, you have a pretty good indicator that the software is designed to give the users freedom.

Thanks for the advice! I'm going to try XFCE and see how I like it. I tried LXDE once, and it just rubbed me the wrong way, but I might end up giving it another shot.

[Bucky Ball]

Xfce great. Go for the easy to setup key-combos to open apps. Cool. You don't need icons, just the windows key and F to open Firefox! (If you set it up that way that is.)

[Nicholas Escalona]

Oh, I hadn't heard of Openbox. Actually I'll test this one first. Thanks Bucky. I saw some screenshots and it's gratifying how simple it is while still allowing fancy things like transparency.

[wojox]

I chose Gnome/Metacity for my Arch setup. Very modular. Boots and runs extremely fast.

[kerry_s]

:lolflag: i should have been more clear.
i use xfce4, i find it to be the 1 designed to work with everything. i'm running both gnome & kde programs in my xfce4.
i'm using totem, metacity, maximus on the gnome front.
i'm using kolourpaint4 from kde.

xfce4 is the only de that takes into account other parts, so if you like to mix parts to get what you want xfce4 can do it.

here's a few pics.

[earthpigg]

openbox + lxpanel.

[ugm6hr]

Oh, I hadn't heard of Openbox. Actually I'll test this one first. Thanks Bucky. I saw some screenshots and it's gratifying how simple it is while still allowing fancy things like transparency.

Openbox is the default WM of LXDE. Adding lxpanel and PCManFM (file manager) essentially gives LXDE (minus its base apps).