8 reasons to use the Xfce Linux desktop environment

opensource.com ^ | 25 June 2018 | David Both

[ShadowAce]

[goldstategop]

Linux has spawned a gamut of desktops: KDE, GNOME, XFCE, LXDE, MATE and BUDGIE.

One will probably fit your needs. All are easy to install, run, maintain and to update.

[Westbrook]

I use Cinnamon on my Fedora laptop and server.

I use Mate on my Fedora Virtual Box, because I like to use the “Seamless Mode”, where Windows and Fedora can share the same desktop. Cinnamon does not work well in “Seamless Mode”.

[SunkenCiv]

I’ve got a successful install of Ubuntu on an old (2007) MacBook, but the guy who had the video on how to do it recommended a different desktop, I think it was this one. Thanks SA.

[Pollard]

I used xfce as xubuntu for a long time because I was using older thinkpads and it would run nice and fast on them.

I’m using kubuntu now which runs the Plasma desktop from KDE. Lots of bells and whistles but my favorite is the application dashboard widget. Basically a full screen application menu.

As of this spring, Ubuntu uses gnome desktop which has potential but isn’t very customizable. I’m using the previous version of gnome, which is a complete stand-alone linux/ubuntu install, on my rugged tablet for my shop because it’s about the most touch friendly linux there is.

FYI; linux comes as a main kernel and then different desktops can be used. In fact, you can install multiple desktops on one system and choose the one you want at the log in screen. SOP is to download a kernel/desktop as one install disk. Then if you want, you can add another desktop to it.

A lot of versions are available as a live USB(used to be live CD but too big to fit now). Use a little program to put the install disk on a USB drive, boot up on that USB and you have a running system to test drive. If you decide you want to keep it, it can install itself next to windows and you end up with a dual boot system where you have the choice of booting up to linux or windows when the pc starts up. The live USB is also handy if windows breaks and won’t start up. You can use one of these live USB disks to fire up the pc and snag files at least.

[Texas Fossil]

Thank you for posting. We’ve discussed XFCE before, you sure don’t have to sell me on it. I’ve been using it since I installed Redhat 8, after the Gnome bloat problems surfaced. So to overcome that I installed XFCE, problem fixed. Have been using it every since. Simple works.

[Montana_Sam]

Linux bump!

Have to use Windows 10 at work, and everytime an update hits, there is major pain.
Here at home, all Fedora/Mate/Compiz.
I have used XFCE before, and think it is very fast and lightweight. An excellent choice, IMHO.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Being somewhat illiterate in the language of updating and customizing Linux, I’d like to ask...is it possible and easy to switch to Xfce on a Linux Mint17 install? I’m not even certain what desktop I currently use...other than the one that came with it.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Being somewhat illiterate in the language of updating and customizing Linux, I’d like to ask...is it possible and easy to switch to Xfce on a Linux Mint17 install? I’m not even certain what desktop I currently use...other than the one that came with it.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Sorry for the double post. Damn tablet touchpad.

[ShadowAce]

There are several how-to's out there to do exactly what you are asking about. Since I, myself, do not use Mint, the best I can do is point you to those links:

A Youtube video explaining the process, and

a tutorial on LinOxide.

I would start with those two links. Even though I do not use Mint, I can tell you it is NOT difficult at all, and will probably take less than 10 minutes for someone who does not know what they are doing.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Thanks mate!

[goldstategop]

With GNOME, you have to install the Dash to Dock extension to make it usuable.

GNOME will drive you nuts without it.

[Pollard]

Yeah, I’ve got that one and a few others. First time I installed gnome and didn’t know about the extensions, I was like, “whatta non customizable pos”.

I was surprised that ubuntu just made it the official desktop. Hopefully they’ll incorporate some of those things.

[Varmint Al]

I tried Linux Mint Xfce 17.3 a while back, but it seemed to be lacking for me.

I hope this is not out of place, but it is my experience:

I used to run Linux Mint KDE 17.3, but KDE is not going to be supported by Linux Mint in the future so I swithced over to Linux Mint Cinnamon 18.3. It was perfect for what I do.

Now the Linux Mint Cinnamon 19 in beta has been released, so I had to try it.

I installed Linux Mint Cinnamon 19 Tara beta on a 60Gb ssd. The install was very easy. I customized it with the software I use: gtkterm, hardinfo, filezilla, bleachbit, google-earth-stable, wine, dosbox, kpat, crunch, ksnap, kate, seamonkey, gparted. First thing I noticed is that there is no swap file partition like with 18.3. I was able to copy over the .thunderbird and .mozilla files and volia! my email and firefox looks just like it does on my Base Cinnimon 18.3 computer. So far, except for wine, the new Cinnamon 19 beta running kernel 4.16.14 is GREAT. The install took about 90 minutes. Later I backed up the software and then ported it over to a 240 Gb SSD. No problems found. For a beta release, it sure is stable.

My Base Computer has plenty of compute power, so speed is no issue:

Linux Mint Cinnamon 19. The beta is rock solid.
Here is a list of  the hardware:

AMD Ryzen 3 1300X Quad-Core Processor 4x 3500MHz
ASRock AB350M Pro4 Motherboard
16Gb DDR4 24000 ram
Samsung 250Gb 960 SSD
Radeon RX 550 Video Card
AOC 28" 4K monitor
OS Linux Mint Cinnamon 19 Tara Beta

The Beta seems to be rock solid. Not a single glitch. If the Beta is this solid, just think how solid the actual release will be.

This computer is super fast. Approximately 40+ time faster than the old $10M Cray 1, that I used way back when.

Good Hunting... from Varmint Al

[beef]

I've been using xfce/Mint for years. It does what I need it to do quickly, reliably, and without the stupid bloatware eyecandy. I think there comes a time for every application where it becomes the best it can be, a state of maximum perfection, if you will. Further changes, other than to fix bugs, make it worse and serve no purpose but to keep the people who have worked on it busy. I call this phenomenon overprogramming. IMHO, most of the other desktops are overprogrammed, and have been for a long time.

[zeugma]

Kinda wish the xfce file browser understood the “fish://” protocol. I’ve used that a lot. You can have two tabs or a split screen and move data from one system to another, while you are accessing them through a third. It’s freaking awesome.

[zeugma]

Being somewhat illiterate in the language of updating and customizing Linux, I’d like to ask...is it possible and easy to switch to Xfce on a Linux Mint17 install? I’m not even certain what desktop I currently use...other than the one that came with it.

There is an xfce 'spin' of Mint. That's probably what I'll move to when I leave the 18.x series, as Mint has decided not to continue with KDE spins.

[GG-1]

Yes - you can configure your system to allow you to pick your window manager/desktop environment when you login. Try installing the package with Synaptic - should be there when you re-boot or login/off. Like all things Linux...YMMV...I have’t done this recently. So Im sure others can provide better guidance.