10 amazing Linux desktop environments you've probably never seen

Network World ^ | 15 May 2013 | Bryan Lunduke

[ShadowAce]

One of the most amazing things about Linux is how versatile it is. Let's face it - Windows and MacOS X are...boring. They look exactly how they look. When it comes to making your computer look and behave however you like, Linux is king. Let's take a stroll through some truly interesting, and beautiful, Linux Desktop Environments - the ones that many of us have never even seen.

xmonad

xmonad (all lower case) is a tiling window manager built in the Haskell programming language (which is interesting enough to qualify for inclusion in this list). So what is a “tiling window manager”? Simple - no overlapping windows. That may take a moment to sink in for those used to KDE, GNOME or modern Windows/Mac. You won't be grabbing any title bars to drag windows around, because window title bars don't really exist here. But virtual desktops and an intensely high level of customization mean you'll be quite productive. And did I mention how much faster your system will feel?

Enlightenment

Enlightenment is probably the most highly used Desktop Environment in this collection – it's been around quite a long time (it is actually older than GNOME) and is incredibly mature. The current version (E17) is fast – even running quite well on low-end hardware – and is truly gorgeous. Everything about Enlightenment will be instantly recognizable to users of modern computers, except it feels like it was created by some sort of ultra-classy alien race from a star system far, far away.

ROX

ROX is...weird, but wonderful. It brings together the “everything is a file” style of traditional UNIX systems with some concepts from RISC OS. Most current computers try to hide the guts of your file system from you and provide you with a series of launchers (docks, “start buttons”, etc.) and shortcut tools. ROX takes the opposite approach, opting instead to make the file system itself as usable as possible so you can work with your system efficiently directly from the file manager. To this end, ROX uses the “Applications are directories” approach, filing applications (and support files) in a single directory that is then treated as the app itself.

Sugar

Sugar is a Desktop Environment focused on kids and education. Applications are run one at a time in full screen. There are no windows to manage. There is no desktop. Heck, there's really not even any concept of “files” for the user to deal with. Instead, Sugar provides a “Journal” that provides snapshots of saved application states.

Étoilé

Étoilé is based on GNUStep, the Open Source implementation of NeXT's OpenStep framework, which, in turn, is the system that Apple's MacOS X (and Cocoa) are based on. Because of this, MacOS X power users may feel quickly at home here (there's even a fairly recognizable dock). This system focuses on being as “high-level” as possible, and attempts to hide the complexities of the file system.

Ratpoison

Ratpoison's goal is simple: kill the mouse. Because of this heavy reliance on keyboard commands for interacting with all aspects of the system, Ratpoison has a bit of a learning curve (though that is true of many of the Desktop Environments in this list). Once over that initial hump, Ratpoison is fast, customizable, easy to use and stable as all heck. Plus, you probably won't need to worry too much about setting up any security on your system, because most people won't even know how to open an application if they sit down at your computer. I call this “Security through being awesome.”

UDE

UDE, or the “Unix Desktop Environment,” is best described as “hardcore.” It is not based simply on Xlib (not Qt or GTK+, etc.) and, as such, is incredibly easy to port to various systems. You'll notice that there is no default “title bar” on windows, nor are there close or minimize buttons. Instead, UDE implements what they call “The Hex Menu,” which is triggered by clicking on the window borders. UDE also makes heavy usage of the mouse, going so far as to requiring a three-button mouse in order to use properly.

Mezzo

The Mezzo Desktop Environment is... weird. It’s definitely cool, but still weird. You know how most desktops have a “desktop” where you can put files? Not here. Or menus with sub-menus to categorize and launch things? Not here either. Instead, there are four corners of your screen – each handling a general system task (such as Files or Programs) – with the goal of simplifying user interaction. Mezzo is primarily used in SymphonyOS.

AmiWM

AmiWM is a simple window manager with a simple goal: emulate the Amiga Workbench. We're not just talking about applying a simple Amiga-styled theme here. This is for the hardcore Amiga nerds among us. Want to go more hardcore? There's a patch to make it look like just about any original versions of the Amiga Workbench. Some of you may be asking “WHY?!” To which I reply “Why not?”

awesome

awesome (all lower case) is another tiling window manager. But, boy howdy, is it a good one. It’s highly configurable and extensible using the Lua scripting language. No mouse is required, and it provides great support for multiple monitors. And, of course, it's fast as lightning, which brings us to the end of this list. Keeping this down to just 10 was certainly a challenge. Did I miss your favorite, ultra-cool (but under-utilized) Linux/Unix Desktop Environment?

[Dr. Sivana]

Add DB4... and then we throw in some Barry White music and I hope like hell you are female

First, by the time the 8088 was put in PCs, Barry White was already kind of passe.

Second, DB4 runs like a dog on that setup. Stick with DB III+.

Third, of course I am a male! What woman would chat about mid 80s x86 architecture at length? Moreover, if you found her, she'd likely be 50+ years old, and probably had the good sense to hold onto her engineer husband.

[martin_fierro]

I prefer, and run, XFCE.

I LIKE THE CUT OF YOUR JIB, MAN.

< |:)~

[ShadowAce]

I LIKE THE CUT OF YOUR JIB, MAN.

Hey--ya gotta use what works for ya. XFCE works for me, rather than me adjusting my work to it. With dual monitors at work, and four virtual desktops, I have more desktop space than 99% of my co-workers (some use Macs with similar capabilities), and I get more work done (in my job description) than 99% of the same job description nationwide--according to statistics my boss gave me last week.

:D

[Utilizer]

Mate, on a different topic...

I decided to post here instead of starting a new thread. Any tips on selecting a good hosting provider? I am thinking of starting a homepage to serve as a central repo for friends and family. Possibly email hosting later on, probably no blogging although I might consider it later on if I manage to find some free time after this current fuster-gluck: three machines running now with different processes, one more backing up system for cloning, four refurb hard drives and adapter card to powerup and test, one new config machine awaiting install, and one more awaiting evaluation and upgrade as soon as I get to it. Not to mention several others that I need to look at as well very soon...

And online holders for proggies as I get them running somehow in Linux as time goes by on the site...

Ideas / comments / suggestions?

[2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten]

I tend to think people put too much emphasis on the eye candy. Basically I need to be able to get to an xterm and have some way of switching virtual desktops. Beyond that it’s much ado about not too much. FWIW I miss the wobbly windows and the compiz stuff from Gnome 2.x but I’m contradicting myself a bit here so I’ll stop ....

[2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten]

Another comment - to make this article better they should have tried to present screen shots that were identical in every way except for the DE. Instead they change the wallpaper, the color scheme, the apps being used - so the comparison is not a very useful one.

[Utilizer]

Just got an email... curious. You know anything about BitCoin?

[Cyber Liberty]

flr. Because I have to check this out later.

[steve86]

I used, and liked, XFCE for a while. Then I tried LXDE and never went back. The thing just screams on a ten-year-old laptop with only 500 MB memory.

Sounds just like my Compaq N1000C. Oddly, I have had better luck with XFCE than LXDE. I wouldn't say either one screams, though.

[Mr. Jeeves]

Linux Mint 15 with KDE looks good to me, but I still prefer OS/X for clients. Windows is only for legacy vertical apps that won’t run on other platforms. :)

[ShadowAce]

Not a whole lot. I started a mining operation a while back, but stopped. Not sure yet how useful the whole thing is gonna be.

As far as your hosting provider, it sounds like you already know what you need. Just start looking for providers (GoDaddy, 1and1, etc) and compare features and prices.

[Utilizer]

"aesthetic" sense? You sound like one of those Apple fanboyz. Who never seem to realize that their "Apple" OS is based on Unix, just like Linux.

Most apple-0-philes have never even seen an Engineering Digest Magazine. In the back they advertise some really high-end software, on the order of about 35k and up just for the basic package. Most companies offer versions that run on Unix, Solaris, IBM 360, HP workstations, IRIS systems, and yes even... MS Win NT 3.0, 4.0, 2000, ME, XP, and Vista.

There are NOOOOOOO options for Apple machines. Blimey... I wonder why that is, eh?

[Utilizer]

Tried GoDaddy a few years back, but being a total newbie to the whole website thing despite being able to toss out a simple html index page as needed, I did not get a lot of helpful advice from them. Seemed they were more interested in just selling a site-name online for you to be registered owner as than providing support and helping guide development. Think I did insist on an Apache host, but that whole do-everything-by-ftp became really tiresome after a bit and I just allowed the domain to expire.