Windows-like desktop

Dave Lerner · 08-09-2015, 02:50 PM

There's a cool trick that lets you run different Desktop Environments without having to log out. It's handy for experimentation.

If you're running standard Ubuntu and have XFCE (package xfce4) installed:

1. Create a non-GUI session:
CTRL+ALT+F2

2. Log in at the prompt (preferably as a different user, to avoid file-access conflicts).

3. Create an XFCE session and bind it to F8:
startx /usr/bin/xfce4-session -- :1 tty8 &

CTRL+ALT+F8 will now access the XFCE session.
CTRL+ALT+F7 returns to the original Ubuntu session.

For LXDE, use lxsession in place of xfce4-session.

Dman58 · 08-09-2015, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Lerner

There's a cool trick that lets you run different Desktop Environments without having to log out. It's handy for experimentation.

If you're running standard Ubuntu and have XFCE (package xfce4) installed:

1. Create a non-GUI session:
CTRL+ALT+F2

2. Log in at the prompt (preferably as a different user, to avoid file-access conflicts).

3. Create an XFCE session and bind it to F8:
startx /usr/bin/xfce4-session -- :1 tty8 &

CTRL+ALT+F8 will now access the XFCE session.
CTRL+ALT+F7 returns to the original Ubuntu session.

For LXDE, use lxsession in place of xfce4-session.

Just did it myself. Works like a charm. Now this opens a whole new realm of computing for me.

Thanks

jamison20000e · 08-09-2015, 09:57 PM

http://www.sevenforums.com/general-d...ndows-7-a.html

@Ondoho... on is not an onion I mean opinion. Love\Hate!

ondoho · 08-12-2015, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamison20000e

@Ondoho... on is not an onion I mean opinion. Love\Hate!

is this supposed to push my buttons, or just generally cryptic?
because i didn't understand any of it.
but hey, at least we get to admire your signature again.

jamison20000e · 08-12-2015, 09:51 PM

Did you mean http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...mpster-divers/
or do your opinions make you more troll than you realise?

jamison20000e · 08-12-2015, 09:53 PM

Maybe u just need to re-read your own posts.

Seff · 08-13-2015, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ondoho

^ jamison20000e tends to repeat the last word of the previous post...

if i understand you correctly, you like the default background of your current distro and wonder where it is stored?
most probably in /usr/share/backgrounds, or /usr/share/wallpapers, or, if your DE is xfce4, in /usr/share/xfce4, and so on.

No, I was asking how to change the background. And no, I don't have xfce... I don't need a desktop with drop shadows. Would you all kindly stop turning my thread into a debate on which distro/desktop is best?

Dave Lerner · 08-13-2015, 10:56 AM

Have you looked at LXDE? Based on your initial post, it might match your goal.

jamison20000e · 08-13-2015, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seff

Right now I'm wondering what sort of desktop I might use to replace Ubuntu's default (Unity?) I've been using Windows for most of my life (except when I used Dos), and so the adjustment to Linux is kind of slow. I've found myself liking Puppy's spartan interface- it's easy on the eyes and kind of reminds me of older Windows systems. Is there anything similar available for Ubuntu?

A bit more detail might not hurt, I guess. I don't like the way Unity hides things away, as I'm used to having a start menu and desktop short cuts (free cookie to whoever tells me how to set up a shortcut in Ubuntu). Something that's not too colorful would be nice.

That's one thread. Another could be\is how to change my DT-background that could get answered here although more info on which distro the live?

Seff · 08-13-2015, 11:06 AM

Quote:

more info on which distro the live?

I'm pretty sure I said Ubuntu 14.04, though it could have been in a different thread.

jamison20000e · 08-13-2015, 11:06 AM

Most of the time you right-click or go "systems settings" or maybe "look and feel" sometimes it's a text based file telling the system to use an image so you would modify the text...

jamison20000e · 08-13-2015, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seff

I'm pretty sure I said Ubuntu 14.04, thought it could have been in a different thread.

Think you did but not sure if you changed like thinking? Different desktops will have different settings to do so.
http://computers.tutsplus.com/tutori...top--cms-21316