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What should I consider when moving from Gnome to Xfce?

rated 0 times [ 3] [ 0] / answers: 1 / hits: 1109 / 2 Years ago, wed, january 19, 2022, 7:09:31

As Ubuntu and Gnome gets modernized, Xfce begins to look like a natural replacement for the "conservative Gnome" that many are used to. And even if the modern desktops are nice, some people will prefer the old ways. But can you simply switch from Gnome 2 to Xfce4 or are there things to consider? I am asking this as a single question, but it can obviously be broken down into many:

Can I still use the app-indicators that I'm used to?

Can I still use Gnome panel applets?

Is it possible to use Compiz with the plugins I've been using?

Can I use custom launchers and docks like I can in Gnome 2?

Can I use the same themes, icons, etc?

Is it ok to just install xubuntu-desktop on my Ubuntu install, or should I install Xubuntu from scratch?

Since I haven't done this, I don't know what questions to ask. So even if I haven't asked them, please do answer them if there are important things to consider.

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gerrin

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3 Years ago

answered 2 Years ago jectedrin · Accepted Answer

Xfce4-panel can use Gnome panel applets if you install the package xfce4-xfapplet-plugin. Not all applets will make as much sense though. The session applet, for instance, will attempt to log you out of Gnome 2, which isn't running, so it will do nothing. The same goes for applets that handle the screensaver and other such DE-specific things. In those cases, the xfce4-panel will have its own plugins that provides these features.

App-indicators are based on DBus, which means they can be used on any desktop environment that supports it. This is one of the big benefits of indicators. They'll work well on KDE, Gnome Shell, Unity, LXDE, Xfce or any other environment. I do believe that there is a native xfce4 plugin to display indicators, but in any case, you'll be able to use the Gnome panel applet just as you did in Gnome.

Using a custom dock like Docky or AWN, should not be a problem at all. I haven't tried it.

I see no reason why you shouldn't be able to use Compiz and all its plugins. I haven't tried that either. But I have used Xfce4-panel with Compiz, and that works well.

You can use the same icons, but window decorators will be different. Perhaps if you use Compiz, you can still use the other themes, but I don't know.

You can just install xubuntu-desktop, except for a single conflict: the notification system. You'll be told that ubuntu-desktop needs to be uninstalled, but that will not uninstall all your software. However, since both Gnome and Xfce provides tools to handle screensavers, sessions, etc, it might be cleaner to do a fresh install.