Learning Debian GNU/Linux

Using GNOME

In this section, you’ll learn how to configure and use the GNOME desktop and the Enlightenment window manager. If you choose to use a different desktop or window manager, you should consult the documentation that accompanies each. However, you should read this section anyway, because the procedures for configuring various desktops and window managers are more similar than different: the way you perform each step may vary but the function of each step will not.

Launching GNOME and Enlightenment

Before starting GNOME, you must configure the X startup files. Login as root, move to the /etc/X11 directory, and enter the following command:

cp Xsession Xsession.SAVE

This command makes a copy of your Xsession file so that you can restore it to its current state if something goes wrong. If you get an error informing you that the Xsession file doesn’t exist, simply ignore the error. Next, using ae or another text editor of your choice, edit your Xsession file to contain these lines at the beginning of the file:

#!/bin/bash
xterm &
gmc &
window-manager &
panel
exit 0
##

Table 6-2 gives possible values for window-manager, which lets you specify which window manager you want to use. You must have installed the proper package containing the window manager you select.

Table 6-2. Window Manager Program Path Names

Window Manager	Path Name
Enlightenment	/usr/bin/X11/enlightenment
FVWM	/usr/bin/X11/fvwm95
FVWM95	/usr/bin/X11/fvwm2
ICEWM	/usr/bin/X11/icewm-gnome
TWM	/usr/bin/X11/twm
Window ...