Changing my window manager
I recently installed Ubuntu on a laptop that's resource challenged. While that could mean a lot of things, let's just say it has 128 MB of RAM and a mobile P3. It's not so bad because it's a small and cute laptop but anyway, I had to do a PXE boot(since it has no CD drive) and Ubuntu is what I happened to install.
After using it for a bit, I realized it'd probably be a good idea to switch it to Xubuntu, the member of the Ubuntu family of GNU/Linux that's made for underpowered machines. I didn't know how to do this so I searched the web a bit and finally went to the #Ubuntu channel on freenode irc.
They said, "sudo apt-get install xubuntu-desktop" and I said, ok! So I did it. After 196 MB of downloads and some automatic configuration I guessed that Xubuntu was now installed though I couldn't really tell.
I rebooted but I still didn't see the Xubuntu desktop since the window manager wasn't changed automatically. After another visit to #ubuntu, I had the solution.
At the login screen, all that's needed is to select Xfce from the Sessions menu. No configuration files. No command line. Just a couple clicks and this little laptop is running software that suits it quite nicely. If you're in the same boat, maybe this can help you too.
After using it for a bit, I realized it'd probably be a good idea to switch it to Xubuntu, the member of the Ubuntu family of GNU/Linux that's made for underpowered machines. I didn't know how to do this so I searched the web a bit and finally went to the #Ubuntu channel on freenode irc.
They said, "sudo apt-get install xubuntu-desktop" and I said, ok! So I did it. After 196 MB of downloads and some automatic configuration I guessed that Xubuntu was now installed though I couldn't really tell.
I rebooted but I still didn't see the Xubuntu desktop since the window manager wasn't changed automatically. After another visit to #ubuntu, I had the solution.
At the login screen, all that's needed is to select Xfce from the Sessions menu. No configuration files. No command line. Just a couple clicks and this little laptop is running software that suits it quite nicely. If you're in the same boat, maybe this can help you too.
posted by David at
2:03 AM
![[FSF Associate Member]](http://davidsterry.com/images/fsf.png){kind=small}
1 Comments:
thanks David - I have been trying to lighten the load in the Xubuntu installation I am doing for my father-in-laws PC. It is a 633 mhz Celeron with 160mb of RAM. XFCE was putting the memory utilization over 70 percent (~110mb) right from the boot up. As soon as I launched a browser I'd be into the swap file and usability suffered.
Over the last couple of days I have been trying to get the hang of using LXDE, reading posts and the install guides, but the simple tip of selecting it from the login sessions option didn't click until reading your post today.
Now the memory utilization at startup is around 35 percent (50mb) and the responsiveness is much better. Thanks for your post.
By
Scott, At
2/16/09 9:10 AM
Post a Comment
<< Home