Linux Format forums

GeordieJedi

Areet all !

OK, I was pondering my linux set-up and was wondering what it is that I actually want/need.
I would like a bit of advice.

I currently use Ubuntu 10.10 and Gnome 2.32.0 (which I love !)
I'd really like to keep on using this set-up, however time moves on
and I know I'm gonna be forced to change/move soon (as 10.10 loses support soon).

I was considering moving to Debian and the older Gnome 2.32.xxx
or upgrading to Ubuntu 12.04 and trying to get back an the older version of Gnome if poss.

I have few (niche?) requirements. I thought I'd list them and see if anyone has any suggestions.
(I'll list some more as I think of them).

Needs -

1. File manager that I can configure.
(I spend a lot of time staring at the screen and I Need to be able to change the
background of the windows. E.g. a pattern in the window, to make it easier on the eye)
Like I currently do in nautilus.
I cant look at a white screen for very long. It give me a very bad head.

2. The ability to use other DE's apps.
I use Gedit and K3b and thunar amongst others.

I'm not a big fan of KDE or dolphin. I've tried XFCE and I do kinda like it, I just have
a couple of niggles with thunar (item 1, patterns in the windows being the big one).

So does my little list warrant moving to an entirely different distro? Or do I just need
to chage/alter my DE or WM? It's starting to look like the latter, however I'd
appreciate any input from yourselves.

P.S. (Can we all call XFCE, X Force? I think it sounds better and I reckon it would make
Mike happy. Ha ha ha).

Cheers.

ajgreeny · Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2012 11:49 pm Post subject:

Just change your DE to xfce or lxde if you prefer. There is nothing to stop you still using nautilus as your file manager just because xfce is your DE. In fact I have nautilus, gimp, gthumb, LibreOffice etc etc running without a problem on a test partition of Lubuntu 11.10, not even lxde on top of ubutnu. It runs like a dream!

Surely worth a try, by just installing either Xubuntu or Lubuntu and then adding whatever standard ubuntu packages that you have got so used to that you can not manage without.
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Ubuntu 10.04 user, and loving it!

nelz · Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 8:49 am Post subject:

Why reinstall, just install LXDE or XFCE (or both) on your existing Ubuntu system to give a choice of DEs when you log in.
_________________
Unix is user-friendly. It's just very selective about who it's friends are.

guy · Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 12:18 pm Post subject:

You could look at Mint 13 with Cinnamon - its new "Gnome 2 type classic experience on top of Gnome 3 engine" approach. Lots of nice things being said.
_________________
Cheers,
Guy
The eternal noob

GeordieJedi · Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2012 5:11 pm Post subject:

Thanks very much for the replies so far.
All good advice. Cheers.

I have another question though.

I'm currently using Ubuntu 10.10 and the support runs out soon (April 2012)

I usually wait for the LXF version of the distro to install. (Im guessing we'll get it in 2 issues time)
during which time the support for 10.10 will stop. am I still safe using
10.10 untill I get the LXF version? Would you keep using a distro that the support had finished on?