> [how many computer users would have the slightest idea what any of
> this means?]
>
> <http://www.internetnews.com/dev-news/article.php/3655511>
>
> Linux Desktop Gets a New (X) Face
> By Sean Michael Kerner
>
> The term Linux desktop is a bit of misnomer since there are actually
> many Linux desktop environments, including KDE and GNOME.
>
> Xfce is another Linux desktop option.
>
> Xfce 4.4 is now available, boasting new features that will change the
> way that its Linux desktop looks and works.
>
> Both KDE and GNOME have been known to be resource-intensive desktops
> that limit their use and practical functionality on low-end hardware.
>
> But Xfce is a stripped down graphical environment that will run on
> low-end hardware and run faster due to its reduced resource
> requirements.
>
> The reduced footprint doesn't necessarily translate into reduced
> usability, especially when it comes to Xfce 4.4. Among the new
> features in Xfce 4.4 is the new Thunar file manager.
>
> "Along with Thunar, comes the ability to place launchers and
> documents on the desktop," Xfce Project Lead Olivier Fourdan told
> internetnews.com. "Users have asked so many times about it, that it's
> great to have it.
>
> Fourdan said users can also choose to have iconified applications
> placed on the desktop, or nothing at all,
>
> Though KDE and GNOME represent the majority of Linux desktop
> installations, there is sweet spot for users that find uses for Xfce.
>
> "It would be hard for me to imagine just how people use Xfce, it's a
> very versatile and customizable environment," Fourdan said. "It can
> be tweaked to run low end systems, or take advantage of the latest
> compositing capabilities of Xorg."
>
> After KDE and GNOME, there are other desktop window managers such as
> Fluxbox, Icewm or Window Maker, though Fourdan argues they are all
> much simpler than what Xfce provides. According to him, Xfce is not
> just a window manager (though it does include a window manager), so
> it's necessarily more resource-demanding than a simpler window manager.
>
> "Xfce is in between the heavyweight desktops such as GNOME or KDE and
> the simpler window managers," Fourdan said. "It tries to be faster
> and lighter than the two big ones, without sacrificing usability."
>
> Competition, however, isn't Fourdan's goal. For Xfce developers, it's
> all about making an environment that they enjoy developing and using.
>
> Moreover, distributions such as the Xubuntu, which is Ubuntu (which
> uses GNOME) but with Xfce as the window manager and Zenwalk (which
> also has Xfce as the default), are helping to grow the user base for
> Xfce.
>
> "Using a distribution that ships Xfce by default, such as Xubuntu or
> Zenwalk, is definitely the easiest way to try Xfce," Fourdan said.
> "But thanks to the graphical installers, anyone can try Xfce with
> minimal knowledge of source compilation."
>
> What's in store for the future of Xfce?
>
> For the short term, the community will likely create bug fix
> improvements to Xfce 4.4 as they pop up, though discussions have
> already begun for the 4.6 release.
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