Ubuntu LXDE Desktop
Light Ubuntu LXDE desktop
This is a light weight Ubuntu desktop guide for everyone who wants install minimum packages but have Graphic User Interface. The alternative choice is Lubuntu which comes pre built using [LXDE http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LXDE] (Lightweight X11 Desktop Environment) along with all recommended applications.
- The approach in this tutorial is to achieve following objectives
- Use Ubuntu as a base system
- LXDE as light weight desktop environment
- Firefox, Network Manager as only necessary applications
- LXDE environment makes following core applications
- Pcmanfm, a fast and lightweight files manager using gio/gvfs.
- Openbox, the fast and extensible, default windows-manager of LXDE.
- Lightdm, cross-desktop display manager using the simple GTK greeter
Installing LXDE on Ubuntu
Installed lubuntu-core
sudo apt-get install lxde-core
It then had none of the extra software install. Originally I tried with --no-install-recommends but this left it too bare and seemingly with missing dependencies. After doing this I installed lxappearance and obconf to allow me to change the themes easily
sudo apt-get install lxappearance obconf
Install firefox without any recommended software as the addons are for Gnome.
sudo apt-get install firefox --no-install-recommends
Start LXDE
Install startx if no display managers are available
sudo apt-get install xinit startx
Select session manager
~$ sudo update-alternatives --config x-session-manager [sudo] password for piotr: There are 3 choices for the alternative x-session-manager (providing /usr/bin/x-session-manager). Selection Path Priority Status ------------------------------------------------------------ * 0 /usr/bin/startlxde 50 auto mode 1 /usr/bin/lxsession 49 manual mode 2 /usr/bin/openbox-session 40 manual mode 3 /usr/bin/startlxde 50 manual mode Press enter to keep the current choice[*], or type selection number: 0
Optional. If you have errors in xsession-errors to clear up
sudo apt-get install gtk2-engines-pixbuf
Logging Out LXDE
To log out from the session you can run the command lxsession-logout. This will show you a dialog asking if you want to shutdown, reboot, change session, etc.
lxsession-logout
Change Resolution in LXDE
LXRandR is the standard screen manager of LXDE. It manages screen resolution and external monitors.
sudo apt-get install lxrandr x11-xserver-utils
After installation you will it in Start > Preferences > Monitor Settings. There is a bug when it runs in vmguest - 'Unable to find monitor information' therefore we needed to install x11-xserver-utils to have native xrandr helping detect the monitor information. If you installed vmtools screen will resize to the window size from now on.
- Troubleshooting
sudo lshw -numeric -c video xrandr -q
Installing Network Manager
Install Network Manager this will be around 155Mb but without --no-install-recommends it is only ~10Mb. Then you need to restart X session by logging out and in. You will see NM icon in right bottom corner.
sudo apt-get install network-manager
By default it does not control network interfaces. Network Manager needs configuring after bare LXDE has been installed: Unmanaged_Wired_Network. The nm-system-settings.conf is now called NetworkManager.conf as written below:
Change Network Manager settings Start an LXTerminal session, then issue:
sudo vi /etc/NetworkManager/NetworkManager.conf
In section [ifupdown] find the line managed=false and change to true and restart NM service:
sudo service network-manager restart
After a short while you should see "Connection established" message above the Network Manager applet tray icon.