David, Well, the term 'Desktop Manager' isn't really correct.
The question should read: What is the difference between Window Managers and Desktop Environments ? Gnome and KDE are examples of "Desktop Environments". They contain a method for programs to communicate with each other, assuming those progs are written to take advantage of that feature. They allow things like 'Drag-n-Drop' to work between the apps and the desktop, and between one app and another. A window manager is simply a program that manages all of the windows on the screen. It provides the borders around the screens, the buttons at the top of the windows, to minimize, maximize or quit a program. A desktop environment includes a window manager. In the case of Gnome, this is changeable. You can use Sawfish, Enlightenment, or even Icewm. KDE also has a window manager, but I think it is built into KDE and not replaceable. Although, I don't use KDE, so I don't know for sure. In most cases, a user can do just fine with only a window manager. Icewm or Qvwm are great little lightweight window managers that will be just fine for almost all users. You can even run without a window manager or Desktop environment. The problem is, you won't have any borders around your windows, and you won't be able to move the windows around the screen, or minimize/ maximize the windows. There is another type of program that you should be aware of as well. That is the 'Display Manager'. This is the program that offers a login dialog box on your screen, and allows you to log in. Once you do that, then the Display Manager launches your window manager or desktop environment. Examples of Display Managers are XDM, KDM and GDM. Figuring out how to launch a particular Window Manager/Desktop Env depends on which Display Manager you are using. If using XDM, then I think you just need to have a .Xclients file in your home directory, and within that file, you put the commands to launch your window manager. For GDM, there is a config file called /etc/X11/gdm/gdm.conf that has entries directing it to run various scripts upon login. For KDM, there is a config file called /etc/kde/kdm/kdmrc that does the same thing. I'll let someone else comment on how to configure each of those. Hope that helps, Jim McQuillan [EMAIL PROTECTED] On Wed, 10 Jul 2002, David Leuser II wrote: > Judging by the many good detailed answers to my last post... this should > be a walk in the park... :) > > General Linux question: I'm having problems understanding the difference > between window managers and desktop managers... It seems like ICE is the > way to go for a window manager, but how do I get it working on Red Hat > 7.2? Does it run on top of Gnome or KDE? How do I configure it so that > students (connecting with LTSP) have a desktop with only selected programs > on it-- no terminal/can't view network properties, etc... but have my > desktop still have access to all the system utilities? > > Corrupted from a microsoft background as I am, I welcome your advice with > open arms! If you have a good URL to point me too that would be great... > > Thanks guys! > > ________________________________________ > David M. Leuser, II > Assistant Network Administrator > New Hampton School > (603) 744-3182 x121 > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > > ------------------------------------------------------- > This sf.net email is sponsored by:ThinkGeek > Two, two, TWO treats in one. > http://thinkgeek.com/sf > _____________________________________________________________________ > Ltsp-discuss mailing list. To un-subscribe, or change prefs, goto: > https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/ltsp-discuss > For additional LTSP help, try #ltsp channel on irc.openprojects.net > -- ------------------------------------------------------- This sf.net email is sponsored by:ThinkGeek Two, two, TWO treats in one. http://thinkgeek.com/sf _____________________________________________________________________ Ltsp-discuss mailing list. To un-subscribe, or change prefs, goto: https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/ltsp-discuss For additional LTSP help, try #ltsp channel on irc.openprojects.net
