On Sat, Sep 27, 2008 at 8:19 PM, Tim <ignored_mailbox(a)yahoo.com.au> wrote:
But being more serious. Fedora uses Gnome by default, the
documentation
shows you how to use it with Gnome, much of the configuration uses Gnome
tools, etc. The other window managers are *alternatives*. If you're
starting out as a Linux newbie, and want an easier start, it's probably
much easier to do so with Gnome. Then once you've got your footing, you
can try out the alternatives.
Gnome is better for a linux newbie. They don't know the difference between
Desktop Managers (DM), but a Sys Admin does. If you install a new system and
ask them: "...and what DM will you like to use today?", the response will be
a blank face followed by a prolonged "Huhhh....". For what I read lately
Gnome has Fire-And-Forget capabilities. So I'd just give them Gnome.
I've tried and used several window managers. KDE is a time
waster,
Gnome just works. Some of the lighter weight ones don't work, without a
big fight, with recent versions of Fedora (which seems to depend on
Gnome or KDE triggering off a few things that says the current user of
the console should have sound, should connect to a network, should mount
an inserted disc, etc.). When you use some alternative window managers,
you have to handle all of that yourself, manually.
I started using Linux on text terminals... monochrome. Then one day I discovered
graphical linux and started using Gnome, but I found it annoying that I had to
open a new xterm for every other thing. I tried KDE and it gave me tabbed
xterms, and that was it.
I have used KDE for as long as I can remember and the only thing that it does
not do is to say "Hello Master..." when I log into my system; could they add
this feature? :-)
I have concluded that the more you use the desktop features of a DM
the more likely you'll get the point-and-click syndrome. For experienced
users a GUI is an optional thing. Isn't the idea of a pretty DM
aimed at giving Linux a nice appearance? It works well with new users.
BTW - I used F8 and have not tried KDE 4.x yet.
~af