How difficult is it to set up multiple different desktop environments?

sheomualjy · 2012-04-09 10:57:28

Hi

I have recently finished setting up my first arch linux install, complete with a desktop environment (I went for LXDE) and software. However, LXDE, albeit fast and enjoyable, is a bit too minimalistic for me. I wish to also install KDE or Gnome 3, in addition to LXDE, and have the option to run one or the other as I please.

By the way, I used the .xinitrc solution, so at the moment I run LXDE with the startx command. I would like to keep it that way.

I wish to install KDE and keep LXDE (I had previously had a bad experience installing Gnome 3 where, despite about 3 seperate attempts, it always failed to even start so I am going for KDE this time) and be able to run one with a command (say, startkde) and another with a separate command (say, startlxde).

Is that possible? Does it require too much work, because I am not that advanced at linux yet (I was able to do the bare minimum to set up arch, so I am relatively comfortable with the command line, but I am still posting in the Newbie corner!).

One last question, sorry... In the past I have had KDE and Gnome installed on Ubuntu at the same time, and the software from one was 'invading' the software from the other. Is there a simple way to keep the two 'separate', so that LXDE stays as it is, and KDE stays as it is? Probably not, it would be easier to just have two arch installations!

Thanks in advance,
James

Trilby · 2012-04-09 11:23:36

It's very easy.

This is (most of) my .xinitrc

case "$1" in
	openbox)
		exec dbus-launch --exit-with-session openbox-session
		;;
	*)
		~/.dwm_status &
		exec dbus-launch --exit-with-session dwm
		;;
esac

When I run startx/xinit without any parameters it starts dwm. I can also run startx/xinit openbox and I get openbox. Some people have a dozen wm/de's installed. Adjust the above code to have case entries for lxde and kde and you can run "startx lxde" or "startx kde".

Last edited by Trilby (2012-04-09 11:25:29)

Gcool · 2012-04-09 11:25:39

That's fairly simple to do. Have a look here.

As for the "invading" question. There's always the chance that certain applications which come with one DE will have shared dependencies with another application in another DE. But this really shouldn't be an issue.

sheomualjy · 2012-04-09 11:30:09

Wow, thanks! Much easier than I thought!

My xinitrc is at the moment:

exec ck-launch-session startlxde

So I would change it to:

case "$1" in
	lxde)
		exec ck-launch-session startlxde
		;;
	kde)
		exec ck-launch-session startkde 
		;;
esac

Trilby, as is in your xinitrc, do I need to have the "~/.dwm_status &" part as well?

Last edited by sheomualjy (2012-04-09 11:30:43)

Trilby · 2012-04-09 11:35:57

That looks right to me. The dwm_status would have been left out if I took the time to remove it. It's just a script that is specific for dwm. Also, FYI, the "*)" entry in a case list is handy as it is a default if no other entry matches. You could have one of the two as the default setting, or you could have it echo a message that a wm selection is required.

Last edited by Trilby (2012-04-09 11:39:07)

sheomualjy · 2012-04-09 12:44:06

Thanks, that is a good tip!

Lennie · 2012-04-09 14:42:19

If you don't want to see KDE applicatins in LXDE, and vice versa, here is how you can fix it. In /usr/share/applications/ there is desktop files for all applications that are shown in the menues. Just open the desktop files for those applications that are invading the other DE, and add this line:

NotShowIn=KDE;

Do the same with LXDE.

cfr · 2012-04-09 18:25:22

It would be better to copy the .desktop files to your home directory ~/.local/share/applications and make the changes there. Otherwise I think that your changes will get overwritten when the applications are updated.

Mektub · 2012-04-09 18:46:20

I use cdm:

https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/CDM

Mektub

Arch Linux

#1 2012-04-09 10:57:28

How difficult is it to set up multiple different desktop environments?

#2 2012-04-09 11:23:36

Re: How difficult is it to set up multiple different desktop environments?

#3 2012-04-09 11:25:39

Re: How difficult is it to set up multiple different desktop environments?

#4 2012-04-09 11:30:09

Re: How difficult is it to set up multiple different desktop environments?

#5 2012-04-09 11:35:57

Re: How difficult is it to set up multiple different desktop environments?

#6 2012-04-09 12:44:06

Re: How difficult is it to set up multiple different desktop environments?

#7 2012-04-09 14:42:19

Re: How difficult is it to set up multiple different desktop environments?

#8 2012-04-09 18:25:22

Re: How difficult is it to set up multiple different desktop environments?

#9 2012-04-09 18:46:20

Re: How difficult is it to set up multiple different desktop environments?

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