I’m considering between the KDE 4 and Gnome desktop editions of openSUSE 11.1 prior to installation.
Which one has the Compiz Fusion desktop effects? Do the packages come preinstalled for this in the distro, regardless of desktop flavor?
I notice too that desktop effects aren’t too compatible in LiveCD, or VMware evaluation environments.
Both KDE and Gnome have the Compiz Fusion effects. In Gnome, after a DVD install of openSUSE 11.1, tinkering with Desktop Effects and CompizConfig in the Applications list will give you what you want. I had to install a few extras for Gnome from YaST… no problem, just search for “compiz” in the Gnome Desktop heading (or KDE if you choose that desktop) and install.
I’m unsure how the effects work with a LiveCD.
Let me know if you have problems getting the specific effects you want, especially if you choose to use Gnome.
I forgot to mention, keep in mind that it’s quite simple to install both KDE and Gnome (and other desktops too) and choose which one you want to run each time you boot up your system, while keeping your files, home directories, etc. intact. Just pick one desktop to install now, then install the other from YaST afterwards.
Also, KDE4 has its own compiz-like effects in the default window manager Kwin.
You can also install compiz-fusion, but compiz-fusion is not installed initially.
Some people seem to have trouble getting it to work with KDE4 in which case Kwin’s effects can still suit their needs (it has the desktop cube, cover and flip switcher, the expose switcher from macs, and various other animation effects).
Good Luck, and welcome to openSUSE!
Ian
So are you saying that KDE is a bit more compatible with the desktop effects.
Primarily, openSUSE has boiled down to become my primary OS, dual-booted with Windows Vista Business.
Does KDE over Gnome and vice-versa, offer any difference in capabilities? It’s still openSUSE at the core level but does having one desktop environment over the other offer any additional, or hinder limited capability/compatibility?
That’s not quite what I was implying, though it might be the case. I use Gnome as a default desktop and only mess around in KDE occasionally, so I know Gnome much better, as far as giving instructions/advice goes.
Getting the effects working should be a fairly straightforward and painless process whichever desktop you choose.
Mostly matter of preference, and I’m sure diehards on either side would have some talking points to argue. Google “KDE vs Gnome” for lots of discussions and forum postings about it.
I’m not too sure about GNOME as I only use it in VirtualBox to try to help assist those who use it. But really it is the same operating system underneath. I do prefer KDE’s Yast ui over GNOME’s but that’s probably just because I’m use to it.
As for compatibility, I cannot vouch for GNOME and Compiz-fusion as I do not have the hardware to run those effects in the VirtualBox.
As I said, in KDE the default windows manager is Kwin. Kwin has implemented a lot of compiz’s desktop effects and runs them natively with KDE4. If, however you find you want more bling bling than that you can choose to install compiz-fusion.
Some KDE users have some trouble getting compiz-fusion to work, but most are fine with Kwin’s compiz effects. In either case I can also help you with installing Compiz-Fusion on KDE and I see that sappertron can help you with GNOME Compiz-Fusion.
Which is why linux is so amazing. You have the choice, and here at openSUSE you have people who are willing to help you with whatever choice you make.
Good Luck,
Ian
Hi
As for compatibility, I cannot vouch for GNOME and Compiz-fusion as I
do not have the hardware to run those effects in the VirtualBox.
You can configure YaST to use the qt interface for the desktop via the
sysconfig editor or edit /etc/sysconfig/yast2 and change the WANTED_GUI
option.
–
Cheers Malcolm °¿° (Linux Counter #276890)
openSUSE 11.1 (i586) Kernel 2.6.27.19-3.2-pae
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