Free Software Desktop Systems

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This is a list of Free Software Desktop Systems, like KDE and GNOME the desktop environments, and like Kubuntu and Ubuntu the operating systems, and whether one is available as a complete computer to purchase. In this article, you will find useful information and further readings about the user interface choices available on GNU/Linux and BSD computing platforms. This will be used further on UbuntuBuzz.com to accompany every desktop related explanation.

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What is Desktop

Desktop is everything visual one sees and interacts with on a computer's monitor. Desktop, also known as Graphical User Interface (GUI) by software, is consisted of several separate components, usually a combination of a display server, a display manager, a window manager, a desktop shell, desktop libraries and applications. Clear examples of desktop would be KDE (as the software), and Kubuntu (as the operating system), and KFocus (as a the computer desktop system).

 

What is Free Software Desktop System

Free Software Desktop System (FSDS) is any computer system which the desktop software is free as in Free Software Definition. This includes all free software operating systems, mainly GNU/Linux, and BSD included. This means either per component or as a whole combination. Thus, for example, KDE in itself is considered an FSDS, and Kubuntu operating system as a whole combination is also an FSDS, and a computer powered by either KDE or Kubuntu can be considered an FSDS too. Not included in FSDS everything that is not desktop, among them are mobile phone systems, server system, and embedded system. Opposite to FSDS is Proprietary Software Desktop System.

Why This Explanation is Important

To Free Software Community, explaining how to switch from nonfree to free software is important and desktop is the biggest part among all in computing as it includes most of billion computer users. To Ubuntu Buzz, the website where this explanation first originated, explaining desktop is very important as this website is generally a collection of desktop-centered tutorials and reviews. Without explanation, as we have so many (perhaps, too many) terms in this field, we tend to waste our time explaining without clear direction nor understandable terms, and it is always difficult to explain this field to people with no prior knowledge. To simplify how we talk, we need to unify how we call something, and this Free Software Desktop System explanation is our result. We will link to this article whenever we need to explain about desktop in the future. This explanation is highly inspired by The GNU Project's Free System Distribution Guidelines (FSDG). 

 

Cinnamon Systems

Linux Mint Cinnamon Edition is the one Cinnamon system. Several other Cinnamon systems exist, for example Fedora, Debian, and Manjaro. Cinnamon system is available officially as desktop computer and as laptop offered by many vendors. Cinnamon system is known by its traditional look and feel, historically was a derivative of the early GNOME 3, and the flagship desktop of Linux Mint. Among the features of Cinnamon system:

• Born 2011
• Ireland origin
• Based on GTK3
• Traditional look and feel
• Developed as the official desktop environment of Linux Mint
• Modular, supports addons to increase functionalities
  
• Licensed under GNU GPL
• Components: Nemo (file manager), Muffin (window manager), Pix (picture organizer), Xviewer (picture viewer), Xed (text editor), Xreader (pdf viewer), Xplayer (multimedia player), and Control Center.
• Official website, Wikipedia, Distrowatch 

  

Deepin System

There is one Deepin System that is deepin OS.  Originated from China, based on Qt Framework (the same library as KDE's), and publicly known as deepin OS. It's known as the completely unique desktop with its own applications suite and praised by many for its user interface's beauty. Among the features of Deepin system:

• Born 2013
• China origin
• Based on Qt
• The unique, desktop-effects equipped user interface
• Developed as the official desktop environment of deepin OS 
• Has its own development library named DTK
• Licensed under GNU GPL
• Components: File Manager, Dock, App Store, Text Editor, Music, Videos, Downloader, System Monitor, System Settings
  
• Official Website, Wikipedia, Distrowatch

Elementary System

There is one elementary system that is elementary OS. The name of its desktop environment is Pantheon. Elementary system is available as branded desktop and laptop computers purchasable from stores like StarLabs.  It is known to be beautiful, sleek, more macOS-like yet unique and has its own style. Among the features of  elementary system are:

• Born 2011
• United States origin
  
• Based on GTK
• Developed as the user interface of elementary OS
• Has its own Human Interface Guidelines
  
• Licensed under GNU GPL
  
• Components: Files (file manager), Pantheon (desktop shell), Pantheon Greeter (display manager), Gala (window manager), AppCenter (software center), Wingpanel (top panel and start menu), Switchboard (control panel).
• Official Website, Wikipedia, Distrowatch

Enlightenment Systems

Enlightenment Among Enlightenment systems are Enlightenment itself, Bodhi and Elive. It is known to be low-resource, lightweight and fast, yet simple and rich with desktop effects. Enlightenment is classified as "desktop shell" (like gnome-shell in GNOME) and not a complete application suite (unlike GNOME) thus it includes desktop activities like launching apps, managing windows, but no file manager.

• Born 1999
• Based on Enlightenment Foundation Libraries (not GTK, not Qt either)
• Licensed under BSD License
  
• Components: Enlightenment (window manager and compositor), Terminology (terminal emulator), Rage (multimedia player), Ephoto (image viewer), and EDI (integrated development environment).
• Official Website, Wikipedia, Distrowatch

GNOME Systems

Among GNOME Systems are GNOME itself, Ubuntu, Red Hat, and Librem. Included in GNOME systems are several other heavily-tweaked GNOME, among others, Endless and Zorin. It is known by its unique and innovative ways to use, dynamics, and number of distros which use it as default. GNOME computers are available to purchase from several brands such as Purism, System76, and Entroware. Among the features of GNOME systems:

• Born 1999
• United States origin
• Based on GTK
• The most popular desktop system (as the default user interface of Ubuntu, Fedora, Red Hat and Librem)
• The widest available as purchasable, ready-to-use computer systems
  
• The most derived desktop system (as mostly other desktops are based on it including Cinnamon, MATE and Unity)
• Developed as the official desktop of GNU Operating System
• Has its own software libraries named GTK
• Has its own Human Interface Guidelines
• Modular, supports extensions to increase functionalities
• Licensed under GNU GPL
• Components of GNOME among the others: Nautilus (file manager), File Roller (archive manager), Rhythmbox (audio player), Evince (pdf reader), Gedit (text editor), and Software (app store).
• Official Website, Wikipedia, Distrowatch
  

KDE Systems

Among KDE Systems are KDE itself, Kubuntu, PCLinuxOS and FreeBSD KDE. KDE systems are available to purchase from several brands such as KFocus, Slimbook, and Laptop With Linux (laptops). KDE systems, by software alone, can also be downloaded gratis in form of the software set itself or as a whole operating system already mentioned. Among the features of KDE Systems:

• Born 1996
• Germany origin
  
• Based on Qt
• Has its own software libraries named KDE Frameworks
• Has its own Human Interface Guidelines 
• Widely available as purchasable, ready-to-use computers
  
• Modular, supports addons to increase functionalities
• Licensed under GNU LGPL and GPL
• Dolphin (file manager), KWin (window manager), Plasma (desktop shell),  Calligra (office suite), Okular (pdf reader), Krita (digital painter),  Falkon (web browser) are among its applications
  
• Traditional look and feel (Windows-like), modern style and highly customizable
• Complete, full featured, consistent and professional in overall
  
• Official Website, Wikipedia, Distrowatch

LXDE Systems

Among LXDE systems are Lubuntu (prior to 2018), Parabola, and Trisquel Mini Edition. The name LXDE stands for Lightweight X11 Desktop Environment. It is known by its minimal visuals, low-resource and high-speed features, as well as ability to revive old and low-specs computers. Among the features of LXDE are:

• Born 2006
• Taiwan origin
• Based on GTK
  
• Components: PCManFM (file manager),  Openbox (window manager, not part of LXDE itself), LXPanel (the taskbar), Leafpad (text editor), LXDM (display manager), LXTerminal, Xarchiver (archive manager), GPicView (image viewer), and LXDE Common (control panel).
• Official Website, Wikipedia, Distrowatch
  

LXQt Systems

Among LXQt systems are Lubuntu 18.10 upwards, Artix, Fedora and Garuda. It is best known as a more modern version of LXDE with Qt instead of GTK as its basis, hence the name, LXQt. It preserves the lightweightness and the look and feel of LXDE but modernize it further with new features. Among the features of LXQt are:

• Born 2013
• Taiwan origin
• Based on Qt
• Licensed under GPL and LGPL
  
• Components: PCManFM-Qt (file manager), Panel (the taskbar), Archiver, LXImage (image viewer), and Admin (control panel).
• Official Website, Wikipedia, Distrowatch
  

MATE Systems

Among MATE systems are Ubuntu MATE, Trisquel, GhostBSD and OpenIndiana. There are heavily tweaked MATE systems such as Mint. It is best known as the active continuation of GNOME 2, preserving its look and feel, as well as enhancing it further with new features while being completely free software, highly crossplatform and well documented. Among the features of MATE are:

• Born 2011
• Argentina origin
  
• Based on GTK3, previously GTK2 (GNOME 2)
• Licensed under GNU GPL and LGPL
  
• Components: Marco (window manager), Caja (file manager), Pluma (text editor), Atril (pdf reader), Engrampa (archive manager), Eye of MATE (image viewer), Terminal and Control Center.  
• Official Website, Wikipedia, Distrowatch
  

UKUI System

There is one UKUI System namely Ubuntu Kylin, the official Ubuntu variant for Chinese people, as it is the official user interface. The name UKUI stands for Ubuntu Kylin User Interface. It a relatively new desktop system, created to be useful, convenient and intuitive. At a glance, one might say that it resembles either Windows 8 or deepin system. Among the features of UKUI System are:

• Born 2017
• Based on Qt (v3.0), previously GTK (v2.0)
  
• Developed as the user interface of Ubuntu Kylin
• Traditional layout, modern and equipped with desktop-effects
• Components: Peony (file manager), UKUI Kwin (window manager), UKUI Greeter (display manager), Kylin Network Monitor, and Control Center (control panel).
• Official Website, Wikipedia, Distrowatch
  

Unity Systems

Ubuntu in between 2011 to 2017 was the one Unity system. Precisely, since version 11.04 up to 16.10, Ubuntu used Unity desktop environment as its user interface, hence, a Unity system. Today, there is one active Unity system namely Ubuntu Unity. It is known thanks to Ubuntu branding as well as its simplicity, uniqueness, a faster alternative to GNOME at that time, the HUD, and the Global Menu features. Among the features of Unity system are:

• Born 2010
• United Kingdom origin
• Based on GTK and Qt
• Developed for Ubuntu Desktop at its time 
• Licensed under GNU GPL and LGPL
• Non-traditional look, simple and unique feel thanks to its Dash, HUD, and Global Menu
• Components including LightDM (display manager), Unity (desktop shell), Nautilus (file manager), Unity Tweak Tool (advanced configuration) and System Settings (control panel).
• Official website, Wikipedia, Distrowatch

Sugar Systems

Among Sugar systems are Trisquel Sugar and Fedora SoaS. Sugar is known to be specific desktop environment for school and education purposes. It would look and feel very different to desktop users in general as it does not adopt "desktop metaphor" (the concept implemented by all other desktop systems) so on Sugar there are no folders and windows.

• Born 2006
• United States origin
• Based on GTK
  
• Originally the desktop system of One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) project
  
• Developed for school, education and children learning purposes
• Has its own Human Interface Guidelines 
• Licensed under GNU GPL
  
• Children-friendly user interface with minimal text, more pictures
• Official Website, Wikipedia, Distrowatch
  

TDE Systems

Among TDE Systems are TDE itself, Q4OS, Alt, Exe and TTOS GNU/Linuxes. TDE is known to be the successor of the discontinued KDE 3, hence the name Trinity Desktop Environment, keeping the low-resource and look-and-feel features alive while giving the users full featured desktop. Among the features of TDE systems are:

• Born 2010
• Based on KDE 3.5, Qt 3.5
• Has its own development framework named TQt3
  
• Small, lightweight, fast, efficient and actively maintained
• Components: Twin (window manager), Konqueror (file manager and web browser), Amarok (audio player), Kate (text editor), Konsole (terminal emulator).
  
• Official website, Wikipedia, Distrowatch

Xfce Systems

Among Xfce systems are Xubuntu, Devuan, and MidnightBSD. There are heavily tweaked Xfce systems like Linux Mint, Manjaro and MX. Xfce systems are known to be fast and lightweight, low-resource, low-specs friendly and highly customizable. Xfce systems are often regarded as alternative to LXDE systems.

• Born 1996
• Based on GTK (not GNOME derivative)
• Has its own development framework called Exo
• Has its own Human Interface Guidelines
  
• Implements Unix philosophy by principles
• Modular, supports addons to increase functionalities 
• Licensed under GPL, LGPL, and BSD licenses
  
• Components: Xfwm (window manager), Thunar (file manager), Catfish (search tool), Orage (calendar), Mousepad (text editor), Parole (multimedia player), and Settings (control panel). 
• Official Website, Wikipedia, Distrowatch
  

See Also

Super Tux Kart, a 3D funny racing game with many desktop systems' mascots as the player characters. 

Opendesktop.org, a download place of third-party extensions for Free Software Desktop Systems. This website is a collective of multiple FSDS websites like Pling, KDE-Store and GNOME-Look.

Extensions, the download place for GNOME users to install addons e.g. to add theme switcher and network meter functionality.

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