The XFCE desktop environment has a stable Version 3 release (I think it's Version 3.18, but I could be wrong about that). It's been my favorite desktop environment for a while. It reminds me a bit of the UNIX Common Desktop Environment (CDE), but it is nowhere near as cumbersome, proprietary, or resource intensive as that aging dinosaur.
In my opinion, the XFCE desktop, with the window manager (XFWM) that traces its roots to the Free Virtual Window Manager (fvwm), the fast file manager (xffm), the Panel (xfce4-panel) that contains launchers, popup menus, clock, desktop switchers, and other useful desktop tools, the Desktop manager (xfdesktop), which sets a background color or image and provides a menu when you click on the desktop background, are about as useful as any user interface tools I've seen.
I do find that the K Desktop Environment (KDE), has a few more features and a much more extensive list of well integrated applications that go with it, so there are certainly reasons why people would want to use it, but in my experience, I've found that XFCE is not only adequate for most day to day desktop needs, it's considerably faster and more effective than either KDE or GNOME, when all you want to do is start up a handful of applications quickly and effectively, be able to change your preferences easily, and have the desktop manager stay out of the way the rest of the time.
Well, the XFCE project is nearly ready to come out with its Version 4 release (it's at Release Candidate 1 stage), and it's there now for me - I'm using it. There needs to be a bit more complete documentation, and any last minute problems may need to be resolved, but from my perspective, its a useful enough desktop tool to use right now, so I'm using it. I've installed it already on Mandrake 9.1 and also on my Debian GNU/Linux system (which I'm using now).
It wasn't hard to install, and it beats just about anything else out there, with the exception of a really stripped down window manager. It's certainly the best compromise I can think of between speed and functionality, and I highly recommend it. Look at http://www.xfce.org/ --- lt looks like the release is scheduled for today.
SuperNu
07-16-2003, 12:45 AM
I happened to finally get all of the RC1 RPMs installed on my RedHat 9 box, and I must say that I am really impressed. I have been using KDE 3.1.2 mostly and a little Fluxbox up until now and I have been wanting to try something a little different. Haven't had too much time to configure, tweak and explore, but from what I have seen so far, I like XFCE. :)
--SN
hop-frog
07-16-2003, 01:16 AM
Should have gone Qt instead of Gtk.
dkeav
07-16-2003, 01:28 AM
would have looked better with qt, gtk is getting kinda dated
The Mas
07-16-2003, 09:55 AM
Originally posted by dkeav
would have looked better with qt, gtk is getting kinda dated
For those who are into eye candy, you could probably do better wtih other window managers and desktops. At this stage, even the earlier versions of XFCE have more features. Even so, I like the look, feel, and especially the performance and flexibility of this cut down desktop. I've been using it all this week and it is working well for me, with no problems experienced at all.
mrBen
07-16-2003, 10:22 AM
AFAIK there isn't another _desktop environment_ that is faster.
As for GTK2 looking dated (XFCE4 is GTK2, whereas previous versions where GTK1), that's just a matter of opinion.
Being able to run a full DE on a PII 300, with no loss of speed compared to Fluxbox, is no mean feat.
My xfce4 screenshot (http://www.jedimoose.org/blosxom/images/ss1.png)
Plus, you can turn off a lot of the 'features' if you think they're ugly (taskbar for instance).
Personally, I prefer the way they layout the panel, with launcher 'drawers' allow for 2 click access to all your favourite apps, without taking up loads of screen space, and then the menu for all the 'other' apps.
I'll be sticking with it for while, methinks.
The Mas
07-16-2003, 10:42 AM
Originally posted by mrBen
AFAIK there isn't another _desktop environment_ that is faster.
As for GTK2 looking dated (XFCE4 is GTK2, whereas previous versions where GTK1), that's just a matter of opinion.
Being able to run a full DE on a PII 300, with no loss of speed compared to Fluxbox, is no mean feat.
My xfce4 screenshot (http://www.jedimoose.org/blosxom/images/ss1.png)
Plus, you can turn off a lot of the 'features' if you think they're ugly (taskbar for instance).
Personally, I prefer the way they layout the panel, with launcher 'drawers' allow for 2 click access to all your favourite apps, without taking up loads of screen space, and then the menu for all the 'other' apps.
I'll be sticking with it for while, methinks.
I agree!
I run mostly Debian GNU/Linux software, and on my system, there's barely any perceptible difference between running XFCE, IceWM, Fluxbox, or Blackbox.
IceWM is pretty fast starting up, but I actually notice occasional delays when my system has to interpret various configuration files.
Fluxbox and Blackbox are pretty fast at starting, but neither of them is a complete desktop, nor is IceWM.
Compared to these window managers, XFCE has considerably more ease of use and functionality. Compared to KDE and GNOME, XFCE wins hands down in performance, and isn't all that far off in features.
The only thing XFCE lacks compared to GNOME and KDE are a lot of integrated applications. But I can do without them, or call them up, since I have them on my system anyway.
The latest version of XFCE adheres to the direction of the desktoporg stuff, which means it has a future.
Anyway, after using and comparing many window and desktop managers, I use XFCE more than the others.
Second choice, when I can spare the cycles, is KDE. Compared to XFCE, it's much slower, but it does have excellent features and flexibility. However, XFCE is well worth installing and using, and the new version is really nice.
razvanici
07-16-2003, 11:54 AM
Although i was a Dropline Gnome 2.1.0 addict, i have finally sticked to XFCE 4. The system is a Slakware 8.1. It only uses 65MB of RAM, of 256 Megs available. The only problem is that i can't find out how to load the Gnome 2.1.0 applets in XFCE 4, although i have searched google :).
z0mbix
07-16-2003, 12:46 PM
Originally posted by mrBen
Being able to run a full DE on a PII 300, with no loss of speed compared to Fluxbox, is no mean feat.
mrBen, if you don't get upgraded soon, I'm gonna start a collection fund to get you a more "up-to-date" box! ;)
NotQuiteSane
07-16-2003, 03:19 PM
Originally posted by dkeav
would have looked better with qt, gtk is getting kinda dated
I disagree. the purpose of XFCe isn't to look pretty. it's to get the job done using the least system rescources, in which it suceeds admireably.
I'm waiting on my SuSE 8.2 cd's, after which i look forward to trying 4.0 (running 3.8.16 now)
NQS
The Mas
07-16-2003, 03:40 PM
Originally posted by NotQuiteSane
I disagree. the purpose of XFCe isn't to look pretty. it's to get the job done using the least system rescources, in which it suceeds admireably.
I'm waiting on my SuSE 8.2 cd's, after which i look forward to trying 4.0 (running 3.8.16 now)
NQS
I agree with you. On one hand, you can get some pretty nice results working wtih Qt libraries. On the other hand, they take quite a lot of resources, ranging from significant directory space just to hold the complete library suite, to significant system resources. I like and use Qt witth KDE. However, I really like the design goals and the implementation of XFCE. If anything, this latest release, though somewhat incomplete, looks better and more well thought out than ever.
dkeav
07-16-2003, 04:03 PM
ill donate ben, i have a 1.3ghz duron processor, that needs a mobo, its yours if you want it
hop-frog
07-16-2003, 09:36 PM
Originally posted by mrBen
AFAIK there isn't another _desktop environment_ that is faster.OpenWindows!
ashibaka
07-17-2003, 12:04 AM
Originally posted by z0mbix
mrBen, if you don't get upgraded soon, I'm gonna start a collection fund to get you a more "up-to-date" box! ;)
Please donate to me instead, if it isn't too rude to ask. I have a 333MHz/56MB RAM and it's not even a Pentium, it's an old AMD K-6. X_x
XFCE3 has been good to me on this box, but when I installed Debian I couldn't get it working. I switched to FVWM, but the following programs were just essential:
- xfsamba
- xftree
- xfrun
and I still use them basically every day. :)
dkeav
07-17-2003, 12:13 AM
man ppl new hardware is cheap, you can get a 1.3 duron with motherboard for $50, use the case you got, use the hd you got, get some new memory for about 20 bucks, use all your other periphrials, and run fully graphical stuff
mrBen
07-17-2003, 03:19 AM
Originally posted by ashibaka
Please donate to me instead, if it isn't too rude to ask. I have a 333MHz/56MB RAM and it's not even a Pentium, it's an old AMD K-6. X_x
Hah - I win. Mine's isn't really a Pentium either - it's a Cyrix chip :p Don't get much worse than that.
Will be starting to save after I go on holiday, hopefully have new kit by Christmas. :D
dkeav
07-17-2003, 03:20 AM
thank god, you were starting to worry me
NotQuiteSane
07-17-2003, 09:37 AM
Originally posted by mrBen
Hah - I win. Mine's isn't really a Pentium either - it's a Cyrix chip :p Don't get much worse than that.
Will be starting to save after I go on holiday, hopefully have new kit by Christmas. :D
Well, I have a 286, how about we upgrade that?
:D
NQS
dkeav
07-17-2003, 10:40 AM
well i have a C64, but i dont use it, lol
NotQuiteSane
07-17-2003, 10:51 AM
Originally posted by dkeav
well i have a C64, but i dont use it, lol
Got a vic 20 here. was my first
mrBen
07-17-2003, 11:33 AM
Carefully stored at my parents house I have my TRS-80 MC-10 (4k memory), plus my Sinclair Spectrum +2, including original box, crappy joystick, and loads of games.
Old computers rock!
(Just not as much as new computers :( )
NotQuiteSane
07-17-2003, 01:09 PM
Originally posted by mrBen
Carefully stored at my parents house I have my TRS-80 MC-10 (4k memory), plus my Sinclair Spectrum +2, including original box, crappy joystick, and loads of games.
Old computers rock!
(Just not as much as new computers :( )
so when do we start the linux port to the old computers?
NotQuiteSane
07-18-2003, 12:20 PM
Well, I need to work on tweaking a bunch of things, after I RTFM, the latter of which i'll do tonight
What does build order mean, and how do I do that???
-Gnome
psi42
08-05-2003, 01:29 AM
Originally posted by GnomeProject
What does build order mean, and how do I do that???
-Gnome
When you uncompress the source tarball, you'll find about 20 different tarballs inside...those are the modules. They have to be compiled on a specific order as some modules depend on others to compile. You'll probably want to create a shell script to compile all the modules so that you don't have to come back to your computer every 15 minutes to start compiling the next module.
Well I installed xfce4 rc2 on my old cyrix 250 mhz machine...and WOW it runs like lightning. The perfect combination of speed and eye candy. :) It has some major improvements over version 3 (like the taskbar) so now it has quickly become my desktop of choice. :)
But I have just one very very small problem...when I set the taskbar and panel to auto-hide, they collapse into thick white lines instead of becoming completely hidden. This gets rather annoying as I don't want to see them at all when they are hidden. Any way I can fix this?
~psi42
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