Comparing Linux GUIs

Part 1: the GNOME Desktop Environment and its graphical user interface options

GNOME is probably the best-integrated desktop environment currently available for Linux PCs. Its default window manager, at least in the Red Hat Linux 6.0 distribution we examined, strongly resembles Windows 9x or NT, and the GNOME panel at the bottom of the screen acts like a cross between sliding toolbar familiar to Apple PowerBook users, and the ubiquitous Start Menu of Microsoft fame.

It takes a little getting used to, however, so don't be too frustrated if, like us, you find the four-screen panels of the default desktop setup confusing at first. We spent hours wondering why we seemed to switch active screens without wanting to, until we realized the mouse pointer "wraps around" as it moves from one active area to another. The multiple desktop panels look and act similarly the multiple desktops of Norton Desktop for Windows or the old Central Point PC Tools desktop.

Gnome Apps
Other Windows similarities are evident, too. The Gnome Calendar strongly resembles the calendar app found in Microsoft Outlook, while GnomeCard provides a competent address book and Gnumeric is a decent little spreadsheet app roughly comparable to the spreadsheet functionality in MS Works for Windows. GnomePad+ is a reasonably powerful HTML editor from the Hot Dog/HomeSite/BBedit school of "tag-oriented" editors. GNOME's applications group also includes a time tracker utility and gEdit, a small and lightweight text editor with a spelling checker (which, we should mention, didn't insert corrected words properly into the text) and several other "plugin" features.

Also part of the Red Hat 6.0 distribution (and indeed, most others) are a number of graphics utilities including an image viewer and manipulation tool called Electric Eyes, a simpler but somewhat less awkward image viewer called GQview and the GNU image manipulation program GIMP. The latter title bears more than a passing resemblance to Photoshop, but with a slightly less refined interface. (In case you can't figure out how to save a file due to the fact the program confusingly has two different "File" menus, try right-clicking on your image.) Overall, it's excellent.

There's a web browser many people will be familiar with: Netscape Communicator 4.5.1 is included with Red Hat 6.0, and it looks and works just like the Windows versions, albeit without the wide array of plug-ins available for the Windows and Mac versions. Also provided is an IRC chat client and gFTP, an FTP client bearing a casual resemblance to our favorite Windows FTP tool, WS_FTP. (WS_FTP is superior, though.)

With the help of GNOME and other GUIs, Linux is finally overcoming its early limitations in the area of multimedia, as a number of tools on the Red Hat 6.0 disk attest. X11amp is a WinAmp clone that, if not for its tendency to hang when the right mouse button, could fool us into thinking it is the original written by Justin Frankel; a mixer, CD player and a few other audio tools are also provided.

Gnome Games
If you like Solitaire, FreeCell and/or other "classic" games, you're in luck: Red Hat 6.0 includes AisleRiot (an anagram, get it?) and a number of other amusements. If, however, you were hoping for some serious action, you'll need to look to third parties. (May we recommend starting with id software?) There's also a screen saver with password protection and a collection of modules, a binary/hex/decimal/ASCII converter, too.

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Comparing Linux GUIs

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