X and a window manager (X.org or XFree86.org + WM)??”You don??™t need a fullblown
desktop environment to operate Linux from a GUI. The most basic, reasonable
way of using Linux is to simply start the X Window System server and a window manager
of your choice (there are dozens to choose from). Many advanced users go this route
because it can offer more flexibility in how they set up their desktops.
The truth is that most X applications run in any of the desktop environments just described
(provided that proper libraries are included with your Linux distribution as noted earlier). So you
can choose a Linux desktop based on the performance, customization tools, and controls that best
suit you. Each of these three types of desktop environments is described in this chapter.
Starting the Desktop
Because the way that you start a desktop in Linux is completely configurable, different distributions
offer different ways of starting up the desktop. Once your Linux distribution is installed, it
may just boot to the desktop, offer a graphical login, or offer a text-based login. Bootable Linux
systems (which don??™t have to be installed at all) typically just boot to the desktop.
Boot to the Desktop
Some bootable Linux systems boot right to a desktop without requiring you to log in so you can
immediately start working with Linux.
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