How to change desktop in F17

someone · #1 31st July 2012, 07:37 PM

Are there any Howto's or instructions for changing my desktop in Fedora 17.

I dont like the Gnome 3.4.1 I cant figure out how to customoze it.

Thanks,
Someone

uncle guinness · #2 31st July 2012, 08:35 PM

You can install almost any desktop you like in Fedora. For example If you want to install the xfce desktop, open a terminal and type:

Code:

su -c 'yum groupinstall xfce'

After having installed your new desktop, just log out (no need to reboot) and you can choose your newly installed dektop from a menu at the login screen.
You can install more than one desktop. I have installed xfce, lxde an openbox on my system, but I prefer xfce.

JamesNZ · #3 1st August 2012, 01:37 AM

BTW, this may have since changed, but when I last tried logging into a different DE without a password on my account it took me straight to Gnome3 without any option to choose another DE. I had to enable a password and only then could I select the session when I was typing it in.

***DBelton*** · #4 1st August 2012, 04:15 AM

You are probably correct, James.

The options to select a different session aren't available until after you select a user (at least in GDM). You should be able to go back now and remove the password, and GDM should still keep the last DE, you just wouldn't be able to switch to a different one without having a password assigned.

But, then again, I would also suggest that if they wish to not use Gnome at all, then go with a different desktop manager besides GDM. GDM is way too bloated.

JamesNZ · #5 1st August 2012, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DBelton

But, then again, I would also suggest that if they wish to not use Gnome at all, then go with a different desktop manager besides GDM. GDM is way too bloated.

Wouldn't that cause problems if the preferred DE is cinnamon, since it's a fork of gnome?

solo2101 · #6 1st August 2012, 07:22 AM

you could refer to the Guides & Solutions sections... there you will find some tips and tricks, as well as how to install Cinamon and MATE...

http://forums.fedoraforum.org/forumdisplay.php?f=12

to install KDE

Code:

su
yum install @kde-desktop

to install xfce

Code:

su
yum install @xfce-desktop

to install lxde

Code:

su
yum install @lxde-desktop

meine · #7 1st August 2012, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uncle guinness

After having installed your new desktop, just log out (no need to reboot) and you can choose your newly installed dektop from a menu at the login screen.

is it possible to use different desktops for different users on a system?

I'd like to use a non Gnome3 DE but don't want to scare my family members with something different...

TIA, meine

MauserM98 · #8 1st August 2012, 09:01 AM

Then absolutely go for KDE.
Just remember to turn off most desktop effects and kill all annoying "help popup ballons".
I use KDE and its just perfect when stripped down.
Then right-click on desktop and change to folderview to get files and folder "on the desktop".

stevea · #9 1st August 2012, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meine

is it possible to use different desktops for different users on a system?

I'd like to use a non Gnome3 DE but don't want to scare my family members with something different...

TIA, meine

Yes Just use a greeter like gdm or kdm that allows you to choose the desktop readily. Both I think will choose the previous desktop for that user as a default.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MauserM98

I use KDE and its just perfectly huge even when stripped down.

FTFY