advantages of gnome/kde over x?

[Nicomon]

hi

First of all, I am really new to linux. my experiences are limited to installing slackware on an old scrap 486, but not being able to get a GUI to work. Im now going to install debian on my newly built system (I know there are easier distribtuions, but I thought id give debian a shot). ive been researching and from what I understand, neither gnome or kde come with debian. Should I try to install either one or just deal with the x system? How can I install one of these desktops on to a debian machine and can it be done through a burned cd?

thanks for your help.

 

[David]

hi

First of all, I am really new to linux. my experiences are limited to installing slackware on an old scrap 486, but not being able to get a GUI to work. Im now going to install debian on my newly built system (I know there are easier distribtuions, but I thought id give debian a shot). ive been researching and from what I understand, neither gnome or kde come with debian. Should I try to install either one or just deal with the x system? How can I install one of these desktops on to a debian machine and can it be done through a burned cd?

thanks for your help.

Hi and Welcome to the forums!

X and GNOME/KDE are different. X is known as the X server which sends signals to the graphics hardware to do the physical screen layout etc.

GNOME and KDE run on top of this, known as window managers which have icons, buttons, menus, windows etc. They are client Applications.

X itself comes with one window manager - twm - which is very basic. You can however install as many window managers as you want, and I would think that debian should come with at least one of these desktops, you can choose which desktop to use each time you login.

If any of this is isn't too clear, feel free to post back, PM me or Email me and I'll explain it in more detail.

The hompage for the version of X that Linux uses is www.xfree86.org

David