Ubuntu – What are the choices for the Ubuntu desktop GUI and how to enable them

desktop-environmentsmenu

I am new to Ubuntu and have installed the 12.10 in VM on my laptop. I've installed the Vmware tools as well. However, the VM boots to the command-line. A few questions:

  • What are the choices of desktops in 12.10?
  • How does one start and stop all the various desktop GUI choices like xdm, kdm, gnome etc?

Within the context of the current terminal session that I have open. I want to try them all before making them one of them permanent via a startup init script.

I've tried xdm but other than Terminal and Nautilus, I can't seem to find a menu that will allow me to view and start all the various applications. Where do I find the equivalent of windows 'start' menu in the xdm desktop (and in other desktops)?

Best Answer

There are many Desktop Alternatives, Below is a list of most of them. To install any of them, just press Ctrl+Alt+T on your keyboard to open Terminal. When it opens, run the commands that corresponds with each one you want.

Gnome Shell

sudo apt-get install gnome-shell

KDE

sudo apt-get install kde-standard

XFCE

sudo apt-get install xfce4

LXDE

sudo apt-get install lxde

Openbox

sudo apt-get install openbox

Gnome Classic

sudo apt-get install gnome-session-fallback
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