From bed9fc81e270fa2d87082f8451ca72e99ee53298 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: WarrenPostma Date: Sat, 4 Jan 2014 23:41:09 +0000 Subject: [PATCH] window manager discussion was too old fashioned, made it more modern --- docs/newhandbook/X/index.mdwn | 16 ++++++++-------- 1 file changed, 8 insertions(+), 8 deletions(-) diff --git a/docs/newhandbook/X/index.mdwn b/docs/newhandbook/X/index.mdwn index c53c91de..d66b029a 100644 --- a/docs/newhandbook/X/index.mdwn +++ b/docs/newhandbook/X/index.mdwn @@ -17,20 +17,20 @@ Before reading this chapter, you should know how to install additional third-par ## Understanding X -### The Window Manager +### The Window Manager and the Desktop Environment +An X Server is a very low level piece of software. It does not provide any way to move windows around or resize them. It does not provide a title bar on the top of your windows, or a dock, or any menus. +These things are the job, in the oldest style of X environment, of your window manager, or in more recent times, of a Desktop Environment. -X.org itself does not give you a window manager. You will have to choose one and install it yourself. There are dozens of window managers available for X. Each of these provides a different look and feel. Window managers are available in the `wm` category of the pkgsrc collection. - - -In addition, the **KDE** and **GNOME** desktop environments both have their own window managers which integrate with the desktop. - - -Every window manager also has a different configuration mechanism. Read your manager's documentation to learn more. +Installing X.org by itself does not give you any window manager or any desktop environment. You will have to choose one and install it yourself. Until you select one, your system will not be usable. +There are dozens of window managers and desktop environments available for X. The most retro ones you might chose include `fvwm` and `twm` which have that retro 1980s workstation look and feel. There are also window managers included inside modern desktop environments like XFCE, KDE and Gnome. +If you are brand new and don't know what to do, select the XFCE4 desktop and follow those instructions. +Every desktop environment and window manager also has a different configuration mechanism. Read your chosen environment's documentation to learn more. Some are configured by text files alone, and some (like KDE and Gnome) have sophisticated graphical configuration utilities and "control panels". +Note that XFCE4 and Gnome and KDE do not require you to install any window manager as they include one automatically. ## Installing X -- 2.41.0