Gnome 2, Gnome 3, KDE, XFCE, LXDE, Unity?

[galacticaboy]

Which one do you prefer? Gnome 2, Gnome 3, KDE, XFCE, LXDE, or Unity? Tell us why, and being pretty is not good enough! lol Tell us why you prefer this one? What is it about that one that attracts you to it?

Mine is Gnome 2 and XFCE, The two almost go hand in hand, especially Xubuntu. I prefer Gnome 2 because it is what I started with and it fits on my computer better than Unity or Gnome Shell. LXDE is ugly as is KDE. XFCE is small and lightweight and also works wonders on my older PC.

[acp77]

I have been using ubuntu for almost 8 years now and have always used gnome until earlier this year when I tried kde. I had been using kde based applications such as dolphin and ktorrent anyway so I figured I would give it a try. It was beautiful and quirky. I had too many problems getting my ipod to work and some issues with stability. I am sure if it becomes a little more stable and can work out the issue with ipods I would be using it still. So just the other day I installed xubuntu and have been testing it out to see if I like it. I just am not a big fan of where gnome is going and I find myself with a wait and see approach to unity. So I find myself in limbo, although from my initial testing with xfce it does have potential to win out as my default.

[galacticaboy]

I have been using ubuntu for almost 8 years now and have always used gnome until earlier this year when I tried kde. I had been using kde based applications such as dolphin and ktorrent anyway so I figured I would give it a try. It was beautiful and quirky. I had too many problems getting my ipod to work and some issues with stability. I am sure if it becomes a little more stable and can work out the issue with ipods I would be using it still. So just the other day I installed xubuntu and have been testing it out to see if I like it. I just am not a big fan of where gnome is going and I find myself with a wait and see approach to unity. So I find myself in limbo, although from my initial testing with xfce it does have potential to win out as my default.

Exactly, I do not like the way Gnome is going either and I am not a big fan of Unity, and I do not want to hear this crap that you can use the old gnome, yes but for how long? It will soon be phased out and no longer supported. That just does not cut it for me, I also am not a fan of where Xubuntu 11.04 is going, I do not like that dock thing at the bottom, I like XFCE just the way it is in Xubuntu but that is great thing about Linux, it is so customizable it is unreal. I think I will stick with Xubuntu and XFCE for a while!

[handy]

I like a mix, I like Openbox with just a dash of Xfce thrown in to add some flavour.

[Version Dependency]

None of the above. I prefer running window manager only environments. I keep an openbox session (my default desktop) and a compiz fusion standalone session (for some eyecandy that's a bit lighter than the full Gnome DE) on my PC. Basically, I'm a right-click menu kinda guy.

[cariboo907]

Exactly, I do not like the way Gnome is going either and I am not a big fan of Unity, and I do not want to hear this crap that you can use the old gnome, yes but for how long? It will soon be phased out and no longer supported. That just does not cut it for me, I also am not a fan of where Xubuntu 11.04 is going, I do not like that dock thing at the bottom, I like XFCE just the way it is in Xubuntu but that is great thing about Linux, it is so customizable it is unreal. I think I will stick with Xubuntu and XFCE for a while!

If the Classic desktop manages to stick around until the next LTS 12.04, that should mean that it'll be supported until 2015.

[galacticaboy]

If the Classic desktop manages to stick around until the next LTS 12.04, that should mean that it'll be supported until 2015.

Well if that is true I will then be happy! =-] But after that, I guess I will have to do some tech growing up and get with the flow! Maybe XFCE won't change that much, or KDE will get better. Heck IDK. It's technology, you buy a brand new computer, get it home, its outdated, old tech. This is why technology makes me mad, I mean let me use it for a few days before I have to upgrade! =-]

[false truths]

To be honest, after using all of these except for LXDE, I have to say Gnome 3 with Gnome Shell is very impressive. Yes, there's no maximise button. I've been double clicking the title bar for that for a long time anyway. I also greatly enjoy having access to aero snap. I used this extensively when I used KDE, so when I switched back to Gnome 2, I felt lost without it. Also, yeah, I know there isn't a minimise button. I never really have a true need for it anyway. Automatic workspaces are so convenient, if I really need to get windows out of the way, simply throwing a bunch of them onto other workspaces is very easy.

A note, though, I use AWN with Gnome Shell. On its own, Gnome Shell is highly functional, but when I'm only working with a few windows, it is still easier to just use a dock to switch. When I'm using 10+ windows, though, Gnome Shell is way more efficient then any dock out there, even DBX.


My second choice would have to be KDE. It's extremely modern, extremely well-made, very easy to customise (some may say too easy), and looks very nice, especially with the desktop effects enabled to allow for a transparent panel. If it weren't for my preference for the workflow of Gnome Shell, and my preference of many Gnome default apps (Nautilus, for example) I would have already switched completely to Kubuntu.

[Jagoly]

As long as it isn't blackbox (shiver), it's fine. I use GNOME 2. Gnome 3 is ver hard to use on a big touchpad laptop.

[galacticaboy]

I agree KDE is nice, but when I used Kubuntu and even OpenSuSE KDE, I found both to be very buggy, even with Desktop Effects turned off, it drove me nuts, I eventually said forget it, I am a Gnome kinda guy, but now I am falling for XFCE in Xubuntu, it is sleek, easy to use and frankly, I think its sexy! It to me resembles Gnome, and in KDE I hate how everything starts with a dang K. It annoys me, KTorrent, KPPP, Konqerer (or however you spell it). I like things simple like how XFCE is. KDE is nice and I am sure good for some people, but not for me. It was meant to be graphical. My computer cannot handle that, which is why I suspect that KDE was buggy on my PC. But XFCE is quickly winning my heart over and I think I may become a long time user when Gnome 2 dies out. LXDE almost makes me want to vomit, I think it is terribly ugly, although it is fast and I am sure some people like it, but its not for me, I like a little eye candy while not tipping the scales with bloat ware and effects.

To be honest, after using all of these except for LXDE, I have to say Gnome 3 with Gnome Shell is very impressive. Yes, there's no maximise button. I've been double clicking the title bar for that for a long time anyway. I also greatly enjoy having access to aero snap. I used this extensively when I used KDE, so when I switched back to Gnome 2, I felt lost without it. Also, yeah, I know there isn't a minimise button. I never really have a true need for it anyway. Automatic workspaces are so convenient, if I really need to get windows out of the way, simply throwing a bunch of them onto other workspaces is very easy.

A note, though, I use AWN with Gnome Shell. On its own, Gnome Shell is highly functional, but when I'm only working with a few windows, it is still easier to just use a dock to switch. When I'm using 10+ windows, though, Gnome Shell is way more efficient then any dock out there, even DBX.


My second choice would have to be KDE. It's extremely modern, extremely well-made, very easy to customise (some may say too easy), and looks very nice, especially with the desktop effects enabled to allow for a transparent panel. If it weren't for my preference for the workflow of Gnome Shell, and my preference of many Gnome default apps (Nautilus, for example) I would have already switched completely to Kubuntu.