[Cialug] The Linux Desktop and Window Managers - when is too much?

[aaron]

On 07/25/2013 09:34 AM, Daniel A. Ramaley wrote:
> Do not want.
>
> I've been using AfterStep since the mid-90s. I switched away from Red
> Hat to Debian specifically because Red Hat stopped packaging AfterStep,
> and my knowledge of how to properly compile packages to integrate into a
> distribution in a non-messy way was rather limited at the time.
>
> What you are talking about (Gnome, KDE, Mate, Cinnamon, etc.) are not
> just "window managers", but "desktop environments". And they
> categorically suck. Having all distributions pick one of the desktop
> environments and stop supporting others and stop supporting plain window
> managers would be a disaster.
>
> Now, i have a strong fondness for AfterStep. Most people would probably
> not enjoy it, since it is a bit more spartan than what a typical user is
> accustomed to. So, i do not advocate that everyone switch to my window
> manager. But, it is very important that the choices be maintained. Sure,
> the ecosystem is kind of messy, with all the choices that are available.
> That's unfortunate. But it would be much *more* unfortunate if the
> choices were to be taken away.
>
> I'd suggest trying out half a dozen of the most popular desktop
> environments. If you find one you like, use it. If you do not find one
> you like, try a half dozen of the less popular options. Eventually
> you'll find something that works the way you expect a computer to work,
> or that can be configured fairly easily to work the way you expect it
> to. Then use it, and be happy. If, in time, your choice turns out to be
> suboptimal, just re-evaluate.
>
> Trying out a half dozen window managers might take 1-2 days. Those days
> may seem wasted at the time. But finding one you like will save you over
> time since the computer will work the way you most expect it to. Saving
> yourself from frustration definitely pays off in the end. And that's the
> beauty of open source... all the choices, and being able to find
> something perfectly suited to you. In the unlikely event that *nothing*
> is well-suited, well, you can always hack on the code and make it work.
> So far i've not had to do that, but the option is there and that is
> comforting.
>
> On 2013-07-25 at 01:33:01, aaron wrote:
>> I'm a web front-end designer, code geek at heart. So naturally I
>> gravitated towards Linux and the openness of the code. One thing I've
>> always found baffling with Linux, is the amount of Window Manger's as
>> a whole. Personally I like the traditional set-up (Mate and/or
>> Cinnamon), but the gloss of Gnome 3 and KDE 4.x have fancied me
>> greatly.
>>
>> My question to the group is, When is too much? Can there be too much?
>> Personally I think a more unified WM across all distros will help
>> greatly bring Linux more in focus of the mass user base. What are
>> everyones thoughts on Window managers and as desktop users, system
>> admins and such, how does this mass cluster of varies WM's effect your
>> work, does it effect your work?
>>
>> Ponder, respond!
> __
> Daniel A. Ramaley
> Network Engineer 2
>
> Dial Center 112, Drake University
> 2407 Carpenter Ave / Des Moines IA 50311 USA
> Tel: +1 515 271-4540
> Fax: +1 515 271-1938
> E-mail: daniel.ramaley at drake.edu
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Yes, thank you I misspoke. That's what late night postings with a fun 
beverage will do.  I meant Desktop environment.

-- 
Aaron AKA ~A.M.P.~

"The day one losses themself, is the day they lose the world." - A.M.P.