Xfce4

**DoctorDan** · 08-04-2005

I'm wondering about some of your opinions on xfce. Right now I have Gnome. My computer running Linux(Debain sarge) is pretty crappy, having only 64MB RAM and 350MHz. Will Xfce be nicer to my ram than Gnome? I was told that adding more swap space could be helpful (256MB currently for swap). Lastly, I was hoping that xfce will run some of the apps that i already have in gnome (GRIP, FF, gaim, xchat, stuff like that). For a period of time that I test xfce will it be possible to keep gnome (like what will X use when I type startx.. gnome or xfce and where can i change that?)?

Sorry for all the questions and newbiness, but I know I can get reliable answers from the people here.

Thanks

,
Dan

PS: I have googled also... it says its GNOME-compatible, but i dont know in what sense they mean? in terms of applications?

oz · 08-05-2005

Xfce4 (or Fluxbox) would be good for that machine.

I usually run Fluxbox, but when I get bored I uninstall it and install Xfce4 in its place. I run Firefox, Thunderbird, and Xchat all the time, and without problems. Yes, it's compatible with Gnome and KDE apps if you have the necessary files installed (Gnome/KDE libs and such). I personally like to run a minimal OS, so I run programs that don't require any Gnome/KDE libs. It's lightweight and doesn't have all the clutter that comes with Gnome and KDE.

Good luck with your Linux adventure!

**DoctorDan** · 08-05-2005

great, thanks so much for the quick answer. only thing i wonder now is if more swap is a good idea. (oh yea, and also the whole 2 GUIs at one time thing and how to select which one runs default)

oz · 08-05-2005

I keep a 512mb swap but none of it's ever used. However, I do have 1gb of RAM. I think you'll be okay with the 256mb swap if you don't plan to run too many apps at once.

If you'll have multiple desktops, such as gnome, kde, and xfce4, you can choose the one you want to run under "session" when your display manager starts (providing you are running GDM, or KDM display manager).

**budman7** · 08-05-2005

Or if you prefer the "startx" command.
In a terminal, do

Code:

su >root password
nano -w .xinitrc
exec startxfce4

Ctrl + x and save your work.

**DoctorDan** · 08-05-2005

i dont understand 100%

once i open .xinitrc what do i do to it?? add "exec startxfce4" as a line?

oz · 08-05-2005

Yes, if you use a .xinitrc file, add what you said as a line and uncomment it, and comment out any other options with a "#".

Are you using GDM (gnome's display manager) or KDM (kde's display manager)? If so, you'll probably want to pick your "session" there. Otherwise, the .xinitrc option is probably best.

***Dapper Dan*** · 08-05-2005

Another good choice, (and in my opinion, the very best choice for light window managers/desktop environments) is IceWM. It's easy to configure, uses very little resources and is blindingly fast. To install from the command line as root...

Code:

apt-get install icewm icewm-themes

oz · 08-07-2005

Blackbox and Openbox are also good options, but I personally prefer Fluxbox.

**a thing** · 08-07-2005

Originally Posted by budman7

Or if you prefer the "startx" command.
In a terminal, do

Code:

su >root password
nano -w .xinitrc
exec startxfce4

Ctrl + x and save your work.

Why become root?

echo "exec startxfce4">~/.xinitrc will set XFCE4 to the default.

You could also use this little shell script I made for myself:

Code:

#!/bin/bash
i=$1
if &#91; -z "$i" &#93;; then
        i=0
fi
echo "exec startxfce4">~/.xinitrc
startx -- &#58;$i

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