Would you recommend Fluxbox or IceWM to a new-to-Linux user?

[aysiu]

Some new users have very low-spec PCs that won't be good with even Xubuntu.

With the predominant tiny distros being Damn Small Linux (Fluxbox) and Puppy Linux (IceWM), the question arises about which would be a better window manager for a new-to-Linux user who wants to use Ubuntu.

I know a lot of people like Fluxbox, and that's why we have Fluxbuntu developed by users instead of Icebuntu, but I'd like to take a little poll just to see what Ubuntu users would recommend to new-to-Linux users (not necessarily for themselves).

What do you think?

[p_quarles]

I went with "Other." I'd feel okay about recommending any distro that came with a good, intuitive out-of-the-box setup, whether it was gOS, Fluxbuntu, TinyME, PCFluxboxOS or Puppy. Any of the minimalist window managers aren't going to be very easy, by themselves, for someone used to XP or OS X. If they're set up in advance, it's another story.

[bufsabre666]

i really despise both, they just dont have a nice feel to me, but if those were the choices id definitely have to say fluxbox, although not DSL, do with fluxbuntu, dsl to me is just the flux at its ugliest

[Darkhack]

Fluxbox just seems odd to me. IceWM is more like Windows 9x and is incredibly configurable. Better themes, better and easier menu navigation, and it just feels very comfortable to me where as Fluxbox feels so alien.

[dizee]

I'd recommend IceWM so long as it had a decent default setup. It is more Windows-like out of the box (not that that's necessarily better, I prefer Fluxbox personally, but it'd be quicker for most users to get to grips with it).

[Dr Small]

IceWM for the win!
Yes, I would recommend IceWM to anyone, newbie or expert. It is highly configurable, has the Windows feel (not that it really makes any difference), has some great themes, it's minimalistic and doesn't seem to get in your way.

It's very easy to understand, so yeah, I'd recommend it to anyone :)
Also, there needs to be an IceBuntu!!!

Dr Small

[aysiu]

Also, there needs to be an IceBuntu!!! I'd make one if I knew how. I've played around with Reconstructor a bit, but I feel as if it's more useful as an Alternate CD than a Desktop CD (for older systems with less RAM), and the Alternate CD customization for Reconstructor is a bit limited (as far as I know, it's just adding and removing packages).

[-grubby]

I prefer Fluxbox but i would recommend IceWM to a new user. Fluxbox does things alot differently than Windows (right click menus,the slit,etc) while ICEWM practically has a start menu.

[urukrama]

I've voted "I prefer neither personally but would recommend IceWM".

I don't really like Fluxbox, and like IceWM, but prefer Openbox. Still, for someone used to a Windows environment, I would recommend IceWM, unless the Openbox comes preconfigured with a panel and icons on the desktop like it is excellently done in TinyMe. Once TinyMe reaches a stable edition, I might recommend that to people looking for a light distro.

It also depends on the user, though. If the person is used to Litestep/bb4win, for example, I would recommend Openbox (and perhaps mention Fluxbox).

[TeaSwigger]

That depends on the computer... if you mean in a low spec context or just any new user? Because if it's a low-spec context, a light configuration with either of those wm's might provide an appreciable performance that would compensate for the additional learning curve they will probably entail to a only-ever-used-windows user. If it's not a low-spec context, no I'd have to say they'd probably be far better going with la portilla guiador el grande.

My appologies to any Spanish speakers if I mangled the phrase too horribly.

Once they've had some linux experience under their belts and if they do want something lighter, cleaner or more hands-on, sure I'd suggest trying both and OpenBox too.

I'm partial to Fluxbox, but I enjoy using IceWM on my laptop. No real logic as to why. As to looks, I find Flux having a far better set of stock default themes. IceWM can look beautiful but I don't feel that it does with most themes one sees. If it were my opinion IceBuntu should be the default theme for IceWM installed via ubuntu repos. Both could apparantly stand to have a better default menu scheme and a lot more recent version in the repos too... *rambles on*

[aysiu]

Some new users have very low-spec PCs that won't be good with even Xubuntu.

That depends on the computer... if you mean in a low spec context or just any new user? I mean a low-spec context.

[smartboyathome]

If it were a low-spec PC, I would recommend E17, though I would probably set it up for them since It has been screwy lately.

[lespaul_rentals]

Fluxbox is great and I love it, but I would not recommend a minimalist window manager to a new user. It takes a lot of configuration to make it do everything you want it to do, and it was very advanced in all my experiences with it. Plus, if they can't run Xfce or the like, just buy a new computer, seriously. There comes a point where, if you're running a machine that was built for Windows 3.1, it's time to pay a few bucks and get a real computer.

[FuturePilot]

Not to a new user. It would be way to confusing for them to configure and manage. I'm not sure configuring text files would particularly appeal to a Windows or OS X user.

[tropicofvector]

Try VecotrLinux Light with IceWM. Works like a champion and remains highly configurable!

[XubuRoxMySox]

I like Openbox. For a new user with a low-spec 'puter like mine I would recommend a minimal Ubuntu+LXDE (because it has a super-simple desktop and all the tools, file manager, right-click menu, etc) and is by far the most lightweight desktop environment available. Keep an eye on the Lubuntu project and if you just can't wait, an excellent ready-made "Ubuntu Lite" (minimal Jaunty+LXDE and minimal applications) is Masonux (http://sites.google.com/site/masonux/). It's ultralight Ubuntu with a newbie-friendly desktop, very nicely done.

-Robin

[bodhi.zazen]

LXDE

lubuntu is lookin very nice =)

[tropicofvector]

I'm looking forward to an installable version of Lubuntu so I can run some benchmark tests to see if it comes anywhere near the speed of VectorLinux. Will be very interesting for a user of old hardware...

[Little Bit]

LXDE is what won me over to Linux, because it's so simple! I couldn't believe it was Linux. All I knew was that that old computer was really fast and really simple. Every kid in the dance studio can sit right down and click their way along merrily, not worried whether it's Windows or Mac or whatever. No one even asks. But they do notice it's speed and ease.

I'm one of a few that actually asked its owner how he got that old ancient computer to go so fast. I was asking because Vista was crashing and slowing and frustrating me to death, and I was amazed when he said it's Linux! It was "Robin's remix," his own little version of "Lubuntu" you might say.

Since I started with that I've explored Gnome and KDE a little bit, but I keep going back to Robin's superfast and supersimple Ubuntu remix. Now my mom is hooked too! I was so thrilled I wrote an article about it on Linux forums (my signature is a link to it).

We're both looking forward very much to Lubuntu Karma when it's ready.

Amy

[stanca]

Fluxbox!;)

[Rodney9]

I love Fluxbox on my new and reasonbly powerfull computer.

[BenB1]

IceWm has my vote. It's simple to configure, light, fast, looks great. It's all that on JJ Ubuntu & a hybrid Debian distro.