[wuug-list] [wuug-forum] ezod: Standalone WM, anyone?

[Windsor UNIX Users Group]

Author: ezod
Username: ezod (206-248-181-13.dsl.teksavvy.com)
Subject: Standalone WM, anyone?
Forum: Software
Link: http://www.wuug.org/read.php?13,91,91#msg-91
Approved: Yes

In recent years, I frequently see people commenting that the standalone window manager paradigm is dead and that integrated desktop environments like Gnome, KDE, XFCE, et al are where it's at.

I'm just curious if anyone else out there still prefers a more basic approach. I originally got familiar with Open Look on Sun machines, and I haven't felt the need for much more. I've been using Blackbox standalone for years, doing most stuff in terminal windows (vanilla xterm). Recently, I installed ROX to use as a standalone filer as well. I find this setup very productive, particularly since it doesn't hide my system behind abstraction layers and wizards, and to boot, it's incredibly fast and resource-efficient.

I've tried Gnome, KDE, and XFCE, along with CDE on Solaris, and nothing really stood out other than (a) somewhat tighter integration between applications, although nothing that can't be done with a little grease in a standalone WM, and (b) the ease of setting up otherwise complicated things, like CUPS printers. I should mention that none of my pet applications are married to Gnome or KDE libraries.

For those who do find desktop environments indispensable, what features make it worth the bloat and restriction?