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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Easy WM based desktops to use (lemmy.world)

submitted 2 months ago by Tekkip20@lemmy.world to c/linux@lemmy.ml

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As a beginner I mainly focused on Cinnamon, XFCE and GNOME but want to try out a windowing DE on a VM to get a feel for things.

What window manager DE would you recommend to a first timer that doesn't use tiling DEs?

There seems to be pretty popular ones like i3 and hyprland.

I was also hoping if some wm's still have a task bar as I am comfortable using that to keep a traditional style as I come from a long line use of Windows as well (starting from the XP era)

Thank you if you have any recommendations, it is good to branch your horizons a bit!

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[–] cerement@slrpnk.net 13 points 2 months ago

as others have mentioned, a window manager is one component of a desktop environment – under ideal conditions, a desktop environment collects and integrates a whole set of packages (both primary and supporting), unifying functional aspects as well as look-and-feel – whereas people starting with a window manager add in tools where working for them takes priority over working with other tools

minimizing your desktop environment
- Gnome and KDE
- Xfce
- LXDE and LXQt
tiling extensions to existing desktops
- Pop Shell, Tiling Shell, PaperWM for Gnome
- (I know KDE has an equivalent, don’t know what it’s called)
- can get simple half- and quarter-tiling in Xfce just through hotkeys
switching out window managers in existing desktop environments
- LXDE typically used Openbox
- LXQt is pretty much window manager agnostic – distros commonly add Openbox, KWin or Xfwm – Tsujan seems favorable towards LabWC
- Regolith packages a Gnome desktop with either i3 (Xorg) or Sway (Wayland) as the window manager
starting with a window manager
- can either start straight from tty or rely on a desktop manager
  - supporting apps usually handled by whatever autostart feature the window manager provides
- stacking/floating – most traditional choice is often Openbox (Xorg) but looks like LabWC (Wayland) is continuing its legacy
- tiling
  - tiling window managers tend to rely a LOT more on keyboard hotkeys and less on mouse usage
  - Xorg – HUGE selection, all down to how much work you want to put in and how large a community there is to help you out
  - Wayland – currently at the top are Sway (continuing i3’s tradition) and River (trying to grab the Awesome fans)
- getting a window manager up and running is only one part of the equation
  - obvious next steps include choosing a file manager, an image viewer, a document reader, a video player, a web browser
  - less obvious is the behind-the-scenes apps – seat management, policy kit, clipboard handling, notifications, app launchers, desktop manager