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 Subject :Switch Debian desktop to fluxbox?.. 2009-06-12 11:51:13 
nikkishort
Joined: 2009-06-12 11:45:20
Posts: 8
Location: 
I am considering using Fluxbox on my Debian instead of GNOME. Would you recommend this? Is Fluxbox really that much lighter on resources?
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 Subject :Re:Switch Debian desktop to fluxbox?.. 2009-06-12 12:21:41 
aweber
Rookery Moderator
Joined: 2009-06-03 16:34:16
Posts: 63
Location: Spokane
Gnome
The Gnome desktop runs 83 tasks when it starts up. That means that 823 processes are running just so you can get to the desktop. Gnome starts up with 389,880K of memory that is used just so you can see the desktop.

Fluxbox
Fluxbox starts with 67 tasks and uses 350,000K of memory to get to the desktop.

What that means is when you use Fluxbox you can save about 19% of computer resources immediately. But that is not where the major savings are. On a Gnome desktop when you start using Nautilus File Manager you will be consuming a lot of resources because of the fonts, images, and features. Fluxbox allows you to execute and use the same applications but reduces system usage because the desktop uses so much less resources. Now do not get me wrong here, I think Gnome is a great desktop but it uses a lot of resources. One of the major reasons I moved ot Linux years ago was that it gave me the freedom to decide how I wanted to use the resources that I did have.

Hope that helps.
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 Subject :Re:Switch Debian desktop to fluxbox?.. 2009-06-18 06:30:50 
MikeW
Rookery Moderator
Joined: 2009-06-03 13:47:46
Posts: 66
Location: 
Well there is no doubt that fluxbox will save resources, if that is an issue for you. However, most people are looking for two things:
1. Ease of Use - Fluxbox is not the easiest to use as the menu all comes from the mouse click. You can run anything you want, same as using Gnome but it is a little more work. The Fluxbox option will be a good one if you are more interested in the command line as it will lend itself to that option.
2. Fast Computer - The more fancy stuff you run, better fonts, graphics, etc, will require more resources. If your computer has lots of extra resources then you will probably stick with Gnome or KDE. If however you are limited on resources then you will wan to look at anything but Gnome or KDE.

It is great that you do have options.
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