What is Gnome / KDE etc?

Question

I have been on Windows my entire life.

Without getting too technical, what are these things? When I search on the net, I get some technical results. I simple do not understand what these things are!

I work on Windows and completely miss the point when this lingo is used.

How is Linux different from Windows basically. I thought it is a set of operating systems which are open source and/or free.

How wrong am I?

Is it entirely a different world out there??

Solution 1

One important thing to note before we start is that Microsoft is the single source for the Windows operating system, and "Microsoft Windows" might be seen as a single product, but technically it consists of multiple layers of software, working together transparently from the user's point of view. In the Linux world, however, there are multiple software packages available for each of these layers. This array of choices makes it easy for an unaccustomed user to get confused with the terms.

I'll try to explain the multiple layers below.

1st layer — Command line interface / kernel

To understand the multiple layer aspect of Linux and describe it in simple Windows-like terms, let's pretend we're back in the days of Windows 95.

In this analogy, the "Linux" operating system is similar to DOS where everything is executed from a command line interface (abbreviated "CLI"). In fact, on most server installations of Linux, a CLI is the only way to access the machine. After Linux starts up, depending on configuration, it will either stay in command line mode, or start a graphical user interface (abbreviated "GUI") automatically. Additionally, on some machines that stay in CLI mode, a user who logs into the CLI can manually start a GUI.

2nd layer — Graphical user interface

On top of the command line interface sits the GUI. Modern Linux systems typically use an X Server, which is essentially just like the Windows desktop — think of it as a blank canvas.

This layer handles the hardware level of the GUI, managing the input from the keyboard, mouse, etc., and output to monitors, etc. Basically, it handles how things are drawn to the screen; what is drawn on the screen is controlled by a window manager.

3rd layer — Window manager

Sitting on top of the X window system is a window manager. It's responsible for drawing each application on the "canvas", and attaches common window elements like borders, the title bar and minimize/maximize buttons to the window. Switching window managers can be likened to switching between "Classic mode" and "Aero mode" in Windows: the frame of the window will change, while the content of the window stay the same.

The most high-profile window managers in the Linux world are KDE and Gnome, and generally a Linux distribution will focus on one window manager as the primary interface. However, in general, you are able to install any window manager on any distribution and be able to run it without issue.

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Ultimately, it's a matter of choice which platform you would want to use. Each provides a large number of applications that run under them, using their framework. Also important to know is that multiple window managers can be running at the same time (Enlightenment can be used under Gnome, etc), but that's typically outside the need of normal users.

With regards to Gnome and KDE, these two projects have grown much larger than being only window managers. Among other things, they also include development frameworks to create applications from. The KDE framework is known as Qt and the Gnome framework is known as GTK. To state the entire scope of these two projects in this post would be information overload.

To help confuse the issue for normal users, the KDE and Gnome frameworks are now also available for use on the MS Windows platform, typically used by applications that are trying to be used on multiple platforms (like the IM client Pidgin). In most instances, however, when you see mentions of Gnome or KDE, a Linux desktop is being described.

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Thanks to Phoshi, whose answer I built upon.

Solution 2

Easiest definition -

Gnome and KDE are to Explorer, as Linux is to Windows!

I cannot recommend any over any others though.

It is not a entirely different world, but it is a different world!

Edit - Some people have downvoted this due to the definition, so I will explain some more.

Windows is the operating system, Explorer is the name of the "shell" that both is the taskbar and file manager. Whilst I would say 99% of people use Explorer as the Windows shell, it is possible to use others and very easy to switch.

If you want to take a look at others, for example you can even use KDE on Windows.

Solution 3

Gnome:

Kde:

Fluxbox:

These are desktop environments - they are the graphical interface to the system, and normally come with a suite of applications designed with them.

Solution 4

Linux is actually just the kernel of the OS, that is the part of the OS connected to hardware and a part you don't really see.

In unix-type OS'es graphical application usually runs in X (a.k.a X Window System), on top of X one run a window manager, a special application that handles other applications windows. One might also want toolbars/taskbars/docks etc these are usually part of the desktop enviromment. KDE and Gnome are two different desktop environments, these define the look and feel of your OS, they include window manager, toolbars, taskbars, file explorer etc.

Solution 5

This is not related to your question, but here's a simple explanation between Linux and other operating systems:

View more solutions

Comments

[user882903]

exactly, now I am beginning to understand..

[Roy Rico]

oh Yoooder I like your analogy, that works pretty well. To extend it, let's call Mac OX a really, really cool lego boat super glued together. U can break the pieces part, but you will spend alot more effort than a linux boat, and there's a chance u might break something.

[John Talman]

@Yoooder: wicked nice analogy.

[user882903]

all the answers are awesome. cant choose one as 'accepted answer'

[Murray Furtado]

+1! A much-asked question, and very well put! I'd love to understand this issue, too.

[Shevek]

@Yoooder - Good comment!

[Tom A]

Best not to recommend one over the other. I've seen some fierce competition between Gnome and KDE apologists. Try them both out and see which one you prefer.

[Javier]

-1: While this is a nice answer, it's not useful for someone who has never used Linux and has no idea of what window managers are or what are the differences between them.

[user882903]

:) cool explanation. What I really wanted to know is that apart from what you said, how different is the organization of the OS? How different they are at the core... I did not know the concept of Window Managers, which I think I understand now.

[caliban]

@Wil : Judging from some of the questions I have seen asked around SU... Wouldn't bet on it that most people know what Explorer(.exe) really is... ;) Usually, when someone says something like "don't get too technical", it's more like saying "I'm complete clueless about tech, but I am too proud to admit it!" Tech support hears these kind of stuff, they go real slow, heheh.

[Roy Rico]

this explanation is for someone who has used windows, probably better to define CLI, as a "command line interface".

[alex]

Nice of you to add screenshots :)

[user311703]

X is older than Linux

[caliban]

@eSkay: i'll leave the honors for the others. It's an endless topic on the differences between OSes. P.S you don't sound very unsavvy to me, that's for sure. ;) have fun!

[caliban]

@eSKay: and since you are from India, this analogy shouldn't be too hard to understand.

[user882903]

;) yes I understood that part completely.

[champagne_campaign]

Some of us (including me) think that Linux provides the gold cutlery, that Macs are the good, unremarkable set (it's just another Unix under the hood), and that Windows is like eating with your fingers. It depends on what you are attempting to do, but for me, Linux is the best option there is.

[Roy Rico]

i don't want to troll, but how do screenshots explain the what KDE & Gnome are? They may explain what the differences between the two are, but if you don't know what either of them is in the first place, I don't think its of any help. Don't get me wrong, i like screen caps, but there is no mention of what a window manager is, or even the basic premise that they mostly run on the Linux operating system.

[Roy Rico]

@Wil: I think, judging by some of the questions on this site lately, that google has gotten a hold of superuser.com, and general users are starting to ask questions on the site.

[dmckee --- ex-moderator kitten]

You might have been onto a usable analogy, but suggestions that linux is primitive are simply wrong. Even not-plush-and-polished is weak these days. Less uniform, yep. More configurable, yep. Available in forms that are a real pain in the ass, oh yeah. Possible to strip it down and run on dinky little hardware while still being a fully modern OS, that too.

[dmckee --- ex-moderator kitten]

May I suggest: "there are called window manager because they provide the inteface for manipulating windows in the GUI." or something like that?

[caliban]

@Matthew Talbert + @dmckee : conceded, and conceded. :)

[GodEater]

Agreed, X predates linux by a long time.

[UNK]

While CLI is an OS-independent term, you're probably right - was just me being lazy :P (Because Command Line Interface is really long to type :()

[Assaf Levy]

What Roy said, plus a nitpick: KDE and Gnome are desktop environments strictly speaking. That is, they include window managers but do more than that. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desktop_environment

[soru]

Good in-depth answer, +1

[Kip]

I prefer the following analogy: Windows is like shaving with a Gillette Razer. Prettty safe, easy to use and produces good results Linux is like using an old cut-throat straight razer. Dangerous in the wrong hands, some skill / knowledge needed, results in a great shave Mac is like shaving with a bowling pin....

[caliban]

@Kip : bowling pin? what is it like shaving with a bowling pin?

[Rich Bradshaw]

I edited it - you are of course right, KDE and Gnome are DEs.

[endolith]

He means "The Unix operating systems were originally command-line only".

[invert]

How true, the Linux paradigm explained :)

[Murray Furtado]

-1 from a Windows user, by the defiition of "this answer is not useful." Sorry, but I don't understand any difference from these images. It could be three user's desktops they've configured the way they want; you could do that on any system. It's not apparent what the actual differences are. I've just begun using Linux, and I've not understood this difference yet.

[Bob D]

Very good - and I use all three OSs, I am not a Linux zeslot.

[Bob D]

No a good, unremarkable set of cutlery works as well as anything else for eating, that's certainly not a good comparison for Windows.

[sleske]

Good overview. One correction: KDE & Gnome are not window managers, but "desktop environments". A DE is a bundle of software (config tools, helper programs, file managers, start menu, panel etc.) that provides everything people need on their desktop. A window manager is part of KDE & Gnome, but they're much more.

[sleske]

Also note that while you can use KDE & Gnome in parallel, you can not (normally) run more than one window manager at a time. One program has to decide where your windows will go :-).

[sleske]

Finally "KDE framework is known as Qt, and the Gnome framework is known as GTK" is rather misphrased. KDE is built on the Qt framework, while Gnome is built on GTK.

[sleske]

First correct answer :-).

[Joakim Elofsson]

"multiple windows managers can be running at the same time" that's incorrect. There can only be one windowmanager running per X server (screen). Your mixing up desktop environments with window manager. As already said, KDE & Gnome are not windowmanagers but desktop environments. Application using different DE frameworks can run in parallel, even if using a window manager not part of a DE (both GNOME and KDE got there own default window manager). A window manager is just a special application that handles all other applications windows

[LWZ]

The screenshots are not helpful at all if you don't point out which one is which...