Smoothest way to use multiple DEs on a single computer [SOLVED]

Ferdinand · 2021-07-11 16:40:49

Sorry if this is answered already; I would expect so, but couldn't really find anything, so here goes:

I've been using XFCE for ages, and want to try out other DEs.

A few alternatives spring to mind, in the order of cumbersomeness (assuming they all would work):

Use one user account and just switch between the DEs
Use different user accounts with different Home folders and different DEs, but sharing the same UID
Use different user accounts and let each user have a different DE

Number 3 should work without fuss, but it would mean my documents are owned by different users, which is cumbersone, but can be countered somewhat by keeping my documents on a network share that I mount as the same user, and of course the users can be in the same group and use umask 002 or something.

Number 2 would in effect be to have one user, and several home folders to keep the DE configurations separate, but all my files will be owned by the same user. I find this method appealing, but I have a feeling it may come with a penalty?

Number 1 would be great, but that really won't work I think - unless I do some clever scripting to stow away and recall configuration files/directories at login/logout, and not use two DEs at the same time.

I'm sure there's more than three ways to achieve this, I'm just sharing my thinking - this is a request for advice; what would be a smooth way of trying out multiple DEs on the same computer?

Last edited by Ferdinand (2021-07-12 06:45:36)

jasonwryan · 2021-07-11 17:57:09

1. Works fine. https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Xinit# … w_managers

captain_sensible · 2021-07-11 19:25:46

I also used XFCE mainly because thats what i was using on Slackware. I'm not a fan of KDE plasma with bouncing stuff.

i've gone for Cinnamon ; which i choose at graphic login . But i haven't removed xfce and from cinnamon I can use ,the shell that comes with xfce.

I have also got bit of gnome and budgie. Its not a problem

Trilby · 2021-07-11 20:56:39

Ferdinand wrote:

Number 1 would be great, but that really won't work I think - unless I do some clever scripting to stow away and recall configuration files/directories at login/logout, and not use two DEs at the same time.

Absolutely none of this is relevant ... at all.

You can have the same user run multiple WMs/DEs and log into several of them at the same time on different ttys.

If you want another DE, just install another DE.

Ferdinand · 2021-07-12 06:44:45

Thank you all!
Somehow, I had it in my head that switching between different DEs as the same user would make them interfere.
I'll just mark this as solved and get happily going then

Arch Linux

#1 2021-07-11 16:40:49

Smoothest way to use multiple DEs on a single computer [SOLVED]

#2 2021-07-11 17:57:09

Re: Smoothest way to use multiple DEs on a single computer [SOLVED]

#3 2021-07-11 19:25:46

Re: Smoothest way to use multiple DEs on a single computer [SOLVED]

#4 2021-07-11 20:56:39

Re: Smoothest way to use multiple DEs on a single computer [SOLVED]

#5 2021-07-12 06:44:45

Re: Smoothest way to use multiple DEs on a single computer [SOLVED]

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