Chapter 5 : Graphical Interface
A graphical user interface, or GUI, serves as the visual layer of your operating system, providing a desktop backdrop and a mouse pointer for easy navigation. On your screen, you'll find neatly arranged application panels and icons, each representing files and programs within your system. This user-friendly setup allows you to simply click on these icons using your mouse, eliminating the need to type out specific commands, making your computing experience more intuitive and accessible.
The GNOME desktop environment is a popular choice among Linux users for its clean, minimalistic look, offering usability and simplicity. Ideal for those needing the basics for work, GNOME's features are neatly tucked into a desktop dock or application list. Its stability has made it a default for many Linux distros, and forks like Cinnamon are used in popular distributions like Mint Linux. While great for customization, GNOME can be resource-intensive, posing a challenge for older systems with limited RAM or older processors. It's a solid choice for both experienced and new users, frequently included in major distros like Fedora, Ubuntu, Debian, and OpenSUSE.
Important Points:
The default Display manager is GDM(GNOME Display Manager). GDM presents the user with the login screen.
In the Linux GUI, particularly with desktop environments like GNOME, the flexibility to switch users between sessions is a standout feature. This means that multiple users can seamlessly share the same machine without interrupting each other's work. Imagine a scenario where you're working on a project, and someone else needs to use the computer. Instead of logging out and disrupting your progress, they can easily switch to their own session, keeping both workflows independent and undisturbed.
This capability is akin to having multiple workspaces on your desk – each user gets their own space, tailored to their preferences and tasks. It's a practical and user-friendly feature that enhances collaboration and productivity in shared computing environments. So, whether you're collaborating on a team project or sharing a computer at home, the Linux GUI's ability to switch users between sessions ensures a smooth and uninterrupted experience for everyone involved.
Every user has a home directory.
Logging out Kills process and goes to login.
Each disto comes with backgrounds.