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Tharkis
November 21st, 2012, 12:57 AM
Say I want to install a different desktop environment. While the unitybar seems handy, I just don't dig it. In any case, what other features will I lose if I use a different desktop environment.

Incidentally, I tried to ask this question in IRC. They were rather less than helpful on the subject.

Luigi2012SM64DS
November 21st, 2012, 01:00 AM
Say I want to install a different desktop environment. While the unitybar seems handy, I just don't dig it. In any case, what other features will I lose if I use a different desktop environment.

Incidentally, I tried to ask this question in IRC. They were rather less than helpful on the subject.
You'll just lose all features in prev. desktop enviroment and get new features in you new one. No data is lost.

QIII
November 21st, 2012, 01:08 AM
You wouldn't "lose" anything if you didn't uninstall the previous one. You can choose your DE at login if you have more than one.

Your question is probably better asked: "What is different between DEs?" And the answer is: "A lot more than could really be discussed in a post or two."

What might be helpful is visiting kubuntu.org and xubuntu.org to take a look at screenshots and tours.

You'd get a much better appreciation than we could give you in a short essay.

ibjsb4
November 21st, 2012, 01:55 AM
You can try out the different desktops on your system and choose which one to run at boot (login).

Xubuntu desktop

sudo apt-get install xfce

Lubuntu desktop

sudo apt-get install lxde

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/UsingTheTerminal#Starting_a_Terminal

syerges
November 21st, 2012, 02:07 AM
If you find all the bells and whistles useless, I suggest Lubuntu as I had. You can still install all the software you use no matter which version you choose... someone correct me if I'm wrong.

QIII
November 21st, 2012, 02:11 AM
You can install, of course. But it wouldn't hurt to look first. Installing a DE can pull in a bunch of dependencies and default apps.

Or burn a LiveCD and have at it.

ibjsb4
November 21st, 2012, 02:19 AM
Also if you decide that a different desktop isn't for you, it can be removed.

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

Peripheral Visionary
November 21st, 2012, 12:33 PM
This (http://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?f=90&t=54945&start=0#p314893) is the best "layman's language" description of the major desktop environments I've found. It doesn't include the newcomers Mate and Cinnamon, but it's a nice little summary of the major players:

http://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?f=90&t=54945&start=0#p314893

black veils
November 22nd, 2012, 01:11 PM
partially depends what desktop you choose, as to what you will no longer have from unity.

the main things i can think of right now are:

- application/global menu, unless you use gnome shell, i think.
- HUD
- dash, so you wont have search feature, unless you have gnome shell or kde, app finder in xfce, or install an application called synapse.