Date: Wed, 02 Aug 2006 08:56:33 -0700 From: Joshua Lewis <joshua.lewis@familyfunzone.net> To: Andrew Gould <andrewgould@yahoo.com> Cc: Jerry McAllister <jerrymc@clunix.cl.msu.edu>, tech.junk@verizon.net, freebsd-questions@freebsd.org Subject: RE: Replacing windows XP at home. Message-ID: <20060802085632.e72c8bd2fa3c8298c4bf39a8c4c61b77.6d8590511d.wbe@email.secureserver.net>
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I am actually not looking for a Windows look alike. I am simply
replacing my XP system with a BSD solution. I am looking for a fast
easy to configure and fun WM. I am absolutely looking for something
new to use. not Windows like. That is why I was looking at
enlightenment and fluxbox. but there are just so many I was hoping to
get ideas as to why one would choose one over the other. Other then
personal preference. I have been using enlightenment for about a week
and perhaps it is something I did but my resolution is stuck at
1600x1280 at 65Hz. My monitor keeps getting mad at me and telling me
that is not the recommended solution. I have been trying to figure out
how to change it and I have updated the xorg.conf as the handbook says
but it still defaults. Unless anyone has an idea why I am going to
switch to fluxbox and see how that feels.
I did want to mention that I do agree with your point. I am looking
for something new and I am looking to experiment with other ways of
doing things. But at the same time I would like a little eye candy.
After all with today's power full systems there is nothing wrong with
waisting a few CPU cycles to make the experience a little more
enjoyable.
I will certainly give XFCE a try I have seen allot of recommendations
for that as well.
Sincerely,
Joshua Lewis
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Replacing windows XP at home.
From: Andrew Gould <andrewgould@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, August 01, 2006 12:27 pm
To: Jerry McAllister <jerrymc@clunix.cl.msu.edu>,
tech.junk@verizon.net
Cc: Joshua Lewis <joshua.lewis@familyfunzone.net>,
freebsd-questions@freebsd.org
--- Jerry McAllister <jerrymc@clunix.cl.msu.edu>
wrote:
> >
> > Joshua Lewis wrote:
> > >
> > > Would I be better off just going with Gnome
> or KDE? I realize once I
> > > start installing apps that I will probably
> wind up installing
> > > something that uses Gnome or KDE libraries so
> I am going to wind up
> > > bloating my system any ways right?
> > >
> >
> > Look at them both and make a choice if you like
> either.
> > I tried both in the past, but found they were not
> for me for various
> > reasons, so I went looking, also tried Xfce as
> has been mentioned, but
> > I decided I wanted to try something really
> different from things that
> > seemed Windows like.
> >
> > Tried WindowMaker and have been using it now for a
> long time. Here is
> > the url www.windowmaker.info if you are
> interested.
> > As you requested lean and fast, little slow
> getting started, only
> > because it is very different in the approach of
> say Gnome, KDE, or Xfce,
> > but once you get used to it, works great. I also
> like dock apps, which
> > you can get more info at http://dockapps.org/
>
> Gee, I just use AfterStep. Of course, that isn't
> really an MS-Win
> environment replacement. It doesn't even attempt to
> be. But then I
> really do not want to have the look and feel of
> MS-Win. I want something
> more straight-forward and less icky.
>
> ////jerry
>
> > Good Luck,
> > Sean
This is a good point here. Whereas it's good to have
something familiar for immediate productivity, it's
also good to explore different options to experience
benefits/drawbacks that you hadn't considered before.
In *nix (includind BSD's and Linux), you're not
limited to one window manager. You can install
several and use whichever matches your mood at the
time.
I used to use KDE and Gnome simply because the menus
contained so many applications that were new to me.
Once I knew which applications I wanted to use, I
switched to XFCE because it's faster. I still use
XFCE for my office productivity; but I'm still
experimenting with icewm and windowmaker on an older
computer because they "feel" so much faster.
Definitely choose a window manager that will give you
a positive experience now; but take time to browse
*nix's other offerings. If you don't try new things,
how can you make an informed decision?
Andrew L. Gould
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