Having reviewed (K)Ubuntu 6.06 (Dapper Drake) I thought I should at least try out Xubuntu. On the same system that I have Dapper Drake Beta installed I decided to install Xubuntu. This review is on Xubuntu 6.06 Dapper Drake Beta. Xfce has been supported in Ubuntu's universe since hoary. The difference now is that the Ubuntu project wants to make Xubuntu an official sibling of Ubuntu. This would mean having live and install cd images for Xubuntu.

This product is still Beta and does not reflect the quality of the final product.

First thing I did was in a terminal I typed "sudo apt-get install xubuntu-desktop" downloaded all the required files. It took about +-4 hours. Logged out and logged into Xfce.

I have never used Xfce desktop before; as a result I was very eager to try it out.

 startupscreen.jpg ( 14.81K ) Number of downloads: 1250


Xubuntu 6.06 Beta (Dapper Drake) uses "Xfce 4 Desktop Environment
version 4.3.90.1 (Xfce 4.3 UNSTABLE)"

 aboutxfce.jpg ( 50.71K ) Number of downloads: 1213



First thing I noticed was how quickly Xfce started up. In my experience neither Gnome or KDE has ever booted up at such a speed. Xubuntu's desktop looks like a hybrid between Gnome and KDE (Of cause this is not a hybrid but is Xfce). A Gnome looking panel at the top and a slim downed version of KDE's taskbar at the bottom. Xfce looks very interesting indeed.

 desktop.jpg ( 37.06K ) Number of downloads: 5706


Xfce menu is simple but well categorised. All of my Gnome and KDE apps were listed under the correct sub-menus. KDE and Gnome applications load at relatively the same speed in Xfce as if I was running Gnome or KDE.
 XFCEmen1.jpg ( 3.77K ) Number of downloads: 422
 XFCEmenu.jpg ( 15.23K ) Number of downloads: 507


I immediately discovered that Xfce uses Thunar as its file manager. Thunar has no added features, in fact it is very simple but it does get the job done.

 filemanager.jpg ( 87.92K ) Number of downloads: 4671


Looking for a particular application in Xfce's menu can be a nightmare especially if you have Gnome and KDE applications installed. This is where Xfce 4 Appfinder comes in handy. Type in the name of the app you looking for and like magic it comes up.

 appfinder.jpg ( 34.05K ) Number of downloads: 898


Xfce also includes a basic task-manager. It shows all of the services the system is using. (Similar to task-manager found in Windows)

 taskmanager.jpg ( 53.7K ) Number of downloads: 677


Xfce also includes:

Xfmedia (A basic multimedia player, with the correct codecs installed can play mp3's, mpeg's etc)

 XfMedia.jpg ( 65.34K ) Number of downloads: 1799


Orage (Basic calendar)

 Orage.jpg ( 68.57K ) Number of downloads: 1336


Mousepad (Text editor)

 texeditor.jpg ( 58.76K ) Number of downloads: 1300



If your system runs slowly using Gnome or KDE then try out Xfce. On the other hand if you think Gnome or KDE is bloated and you wish you could have a desktop that was like either Gnome or KDE. Then Xfce is for you. Xubuntu is a welcomed member of the Ubuntu family. I look forward to Xubuntu 6.06 final.

For more informaton visit
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Xubuntu

the boys has skills,nice work watch out vista crew lol

This post has been edited by x2p: Apr 26 2006, 12:37 PM

Another interesting guide. Thanks Lino!

I'm overly impressed with linux lately!!!

Linux has advanced a lot latley. Infact it almost feels as if it has all happened at once

OMG Lino's on during the week... HELL FORZE OVER!!!

but on another note... I look forward to trying some new Linux OSes soon... I just gotta get the laptop working right....

ShadowFox hehe yes I checked in at school. Cough cough. Btw get your laptop working asap. lol

i know ill be more impressed with linux when i learn how to use it! lol

ohh I'm waiting on E-BAY to end this auction buddy then we can chat