Replacing windows XP at home.

[Joshua Lewis]

   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 at yahoo.com>
     Date: Tue, August 01, 2006 12:27 pm
     To: Jerry McAllister <jerrymc at clunix.cl.msu.edu>,
     tech.junk at verizon.net
     Cc: Joshua Lewis <joshua.lewis at familyfunzone.net>,
     freebsd-questions at freebsd.org
     --- Jerry McAllister <jerrymc at 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