by LinuxGhost

Created on: November 06, 2007

Linux: A Primer
Part I: Window Managers and the Interface

So, let's say that, after an extended period of time using the industry standard in computer interfaces, Windows, you've grown tired of it, for one reason or another. Maybe it's the appearance, maybe it's the price, maybe it's system resource usage. What's more likely, for the vast majority of users, is that you've grown tired of your system constantly crashing for virtually inexplicable reasons. Viruses, spyware, even simple (but continuous) software crashed can lead to seemingly endless frustration.

Linux could be a great solution.

Possibly not to ALL of your computing woes, but there's a good chance that a sizable amount of your anxiety will begin to melt away once you experience the stability and maturity a Linux-based operating system can offer.

Before even dwelving into the hardware and/or software requirements of a Linux-based system, the questions that most casual (or experienced) users seem to have are all based around one thing: appearance.

A common notion outside the Linux community is that, let's face it, Linux is confusing. Even I, an avid Linux user, can't possibly deny this. Literally hundreds of distributions, dozens of window managers, endless seas of software repositories, all stacked atop confusing hardware support just makes everything a dizzying feat to attempt to make sense of.

The most direct visual effect one can witness via a Linux distribution, or "distro," is the window manager and/or graphical interface. This, as you'd likely assume, refers to the on-screen display you see the entire time you use your computer; everything from your internet browser to your file manager uses some sort of window manager or graphical interface vehicle.

Obviously, the casual computer user is familiar with two, and only two, graphical interfaces: the Windows interface and Apple's OSX interface. While these are both efficient interfaces in their own rights, both leave much to be desired, upon any level of investigation. Windows, while ultimately quite effective, lacks some of the visual sheen that Apple is notorious for embedding in their operating systems. While Windows Vista certainly adds another degree of visual appeal with translucency effects and Aero, it still lacks the endless customization of any one of Linux's window managers. On the other hand, OSX, while certainly sleek and aesthetically pleasing, suffers the same fate as Windows' appearance; very little customization and one stereotypical

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