Ubuntu 9.10 - what desktop should i install

[gottijr]

I'm just starting using ubuntu server 9.10

I was thinking to install a desktop as well.

which one would you guys recommend? (and how do you install it?)

i've seen the terms: gnome, gdm, kde, xubuntu, kubuntu ... it's hard to figure out what is all of them.

thank you in advance

[Ferb]

What do you plan to do with the server?
If you need a gui for your server it might be beter just to install the desktop edition and add the programs what you need until you are more experienced with the command line interface so that you don't need the gui. That's what worked for me.

[hhh]

Some links to help clear up your confusion and get you started, read them before doing anything...

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Install-Alternative-Desktop-Managers-in-Ubuntu-48586.shtml

http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/whichbuntu

http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/kdegnome

http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/kde

http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/xfce

[gottijr]

Some links to help clear up your confusion and get you started, read them before doing anything...

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Install-Alternative-Desktop-Managers-in-Ubuntu-48586.shtml

http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/whichbuntu

http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/kdegnome

http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/kde

http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/xfce

thanks hhh

that was very helpful!

i'm gonna go through all those!

p.s: my server should be used as a home server
- openssh
- samba
- mysql apache
- torrent
i would like to force my self to learn the command line first.
and i like to work on my server from my laptop so command line is more convinient
i'm looking for a light desktop STABLE

[MelDJ]

if you want light maybe you would be interested in fluxbox.
you can still use the terminal in the desktop ubuntu

[llawwehttam]

To be honest ubuntu server edition is quite good but if you want something REALLY stable then Debian is best.

I have several servers none of which have a GUI and they all wok really well.

Learning to use the command line gets easy after using it for a while.

For a DE / WM if you really need one then I use https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Openbox

Very fast and lightweight.

[gottijr]

The thing is that i want to stick with Ubuntu Server for now

i wasn't questioning if ubuntu server is stable

more what i need is a desktop stable for it.

I've got all your advice by now ... and still waiting for other to say what they think.

pls advice how to install it - run it but being able to boot still in shell. I want to start the desktop only when is really needed.

thanks

[hhh]

To be clear, Fluxbox and Openbox are window managers and not desktop environments, meaning you have to add other programs to handle things like wallpapers and file browsing. That said, I've been using a standalone Openbox/tint2 (a panel application) setup for a month or so now and I absolutely love it for it's quickness and ease of use (once it's all set up). If you're interested...

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Openbox

http://urukrama.wordpress.com/openbox-guide/

And my specific Ubuntu/Openbox workarounds...

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1382406

[gottijr]

To be clear, Fluxbox and Openbox are window managers and not desktop environments, meaning you have to add other programs to handle things like wallpapers and file browsing. That said, I've been using a standalone Openbox/tint2 (a panel application) setup for a month or so now and I absolutely love it for it's quickness and ease of use (once it's all set up). If you're interested...


I tried to check those links but it looks more complicated than installing an xubuntu (for a newbie like me that still has difficulty doing the simple things under ubuntu)

Is there a easy to fallow tutorial?

So i will need something else with Fluxbox?

and thanks anyway.

[hhh]

Definitely more difficult. Ferb is right, the first question is "What are you using your computer for, and what are your computer's stats?" Why did you start with the Server edition? You should probably just start with regular Ubuntu (Gnome desktop environment/simple interface) and take it from there.

[gottijr]

Ok again :)

What i'm looking for is to build a home server than that home server should have at least some basics
samba (storage for my home network)
torrents
mysql, php - lamp

it is a P4 dell server video on board 2gb of ram, 3.0 processor

I looking for a light desktop cause i'm just used to work like that

i installed server cause i'm looking to build a home server, i'm not really trying to get a linux workstation just to build a home server for now.

[hhh]

So try Xubuntu for a start. You asked about Fluxbox, here...
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Fluxbox

And Google, buddy, Google!!!