Ubuntu and Kubuntu

Steve Watford · 25 Jan 2007 at 22:09

I was wondering if there is any real difference apart from the desktop they use?

zetec452 · 25 Jan 2007 at 22:28

There is no difference other than ubuntu uses Gnome and kubuntu uses KDE.

Steve Watford · 26 Jan 2007 at 22:10

I could go searching Wiki's for this, but whats the fundamental difference between kde and gnome?

kiwi · 27 Jan 2007 at 03:44

Gnome is more "just works". Less options but arguably easier to use. KDE is more "windowsy" and more configurable. Either are good DEs really, any flame wars are over the top really, they're both usable and much better than windows, just choose which suits you best.

Steve Watford · 27 Jan 2007 at 13:29

Well Ive got ubuntu (gnome) and can't be bothered downloading kubuntu. Should I be able to just switch between the different environments by means of downloading the KDE package and just selecting it at login?

Augmented · 27 Jan 2007 at 13:39

Steve Watford said:
Should I be able to just switch between the different environments by means of downloading the KDE package and just selecting it at login?

Absolutely. Just install via the package-manager (apt/Synaptic) and it'll sort it out for you. You can use any window manager you like - XFCE, fluxbox etc.

Steve Watford · 27 Jan 2007 at 13:41

Augmented said:
Absolutely. Just install via the package-manager (apt/Synaptic) and it'll sort it out for you. You can use any window manager you like - XFCE, fluxbox etc.

Ah thanks, I guess fluxbox and XFCE is just another different desktop environment? Or do they have any special features that would want me to use it?

Augmented · 27 Jan 2007 at 14:16

They are indeed another two desktop environments/window-managers. I use Gnome almost exclusively, so can't really comment on them in great detail.

fluxbox is very minimal and lightweight and is really just a window manager i.e. it doesn't provide a set of tools/software etc. XFCE is similarly designed, but is a proper desktop environment like Gnome and KDE.