Very Computer

Hi;

I'm a linux newbie.  I just installed Red Hat 7.1 ( 5 cd rom set )
this past weekend.

I'm on a gateway box with 191mb ram, and a Pentium 2 333mhz processor

Please forgive if this post sounds ignorant.  I am fresh in from
windows
and don't know the linux jargon yet.

I asked some of these questions before, but I got confused with new
information and I want to make sure that I understand the window
manager/desktop situation before I begin making changes to my system.

Okay here is what I *think* about the gui interface situation.  Am I
correct.

1. The gui interface to linux is X-Windows.  The latest, greatest
version
is X-11.  X-Windows is proprietary so linux uses Xfree86.

2. Not everyone likes using X-windows as is, but that is cool as
x-windows
is extensible with "window managers" that sit on top of X-windows.
They
alter the look and feel of x and offer other functionality.

3. In addition to window managers there are "desktops" which perform
the
same functions as window managers but add a lot of extra
functionality.
For example KDE, gnome.

Here are my questions:

1. I really like KDE.  However, it is _slow_ in bringing up windows
and
apps.  Short of upgrading my hardware, can I do anything to make KDE
faster?

2. I've heard that some windows managers are faster then others. Of
the
faster ones which offer the 3 control buttons you find in the upper
right
corner of ms windows.  I use ms windows at work so I would like to
keep
(only) that much similar.

3. I've read that some windows managers can gui apps made specifically
for
other windows managers.  Will all gui apps made for x run in any
windows
manager?  Which of the faster windows managers will run kde and gui
apps?

Thanks in advance

Steve

Sort of.  X is the software layer that allows other applications to talk to
your graphic hardware.  The version most of us use (and that came with your
RH7.1 set) is Xfree86.  The latest version is 4.1.0.
If I'm not mistaken, X11 is short for X11R6 which was the name of the
original (commerical) X that Xfree derived from/copied/replaced whatever.  
At any rate, it's not the version.

Quote:> 2. Not everyone likes using X-windows as is, but that is cool as
> x-windows
> is extensible with "window managers" that sit on top of X-windows.
> They
> alter the look and feel of x and offer other functionality.

I dont think anyone "just" uses X.  Not even sure if you could,
realistically, and still get anything done.  For the sake of simplicity you
can assume that everyone uses some sort of window manager, even if it's
just TWM.

Quote:> 3. In addition to window managers there are "desktops" which perform
> the
> same functions as window managers but add a lot of extra
> functionality.
> For example KDE, gnome.

Sounds like a fair statement.

Quote:> apps.  Short of upgrading my hardware, can I do anything to make KDE
> faster?

You could try compiling the software yourself.  My K6-3/450, 128MB machine
performs quite acceptably w/KDE2.1

Quote:> 3. I've read that some windows managers can gui apps made specifically
> for
> other windows managers.  Will all gui apps made for x run in any
> windows
> manager?  Which of the faster windows managers will run kde and gui
> apps?

If it runs under X, any window manager/desktop can run it, as long as you
have all the pieces it needs.  Example: I primarily run KDE, but I like
some of the Gnome programs (Gnumeric is a good example).  I have no problem
running Gnumeric under KDE, but in order to do it, I had to install the
parts of Gnome that Gnumeric required.
Similiarly, you can run KDE apps under TWM (or Blackbox or whatever), as
long as the required KDE libraries exist on your system.
Hope that made sense..

--
Steve Bradley

Quote:> I'm a linux newbie

me too!!

Hi! I use Mandrake 8.0 which I got for 20$ at Wal-Mart. About a month
ago.

As for Which window manager is faster than KDE?
I use GNOME and its loads up faster than KDE by at least 50%. GNOME
can also run most KDE apps and also has the window buttons on the
right.

I'm not sure about the Window managers questions.

Hey keep learning and have fun.