This product is still Beta and does not reflect the quality of the final product.
First thing I did was in a terminal I typed "sudo apt-get install xubuntu-desktop" downloaded all the required files. It took about +-4 hours. Logged out and logged into Xfce.
I have never used Xfce desktop before; as a result I was very eager to try it out.
startupscreen.jpg 14.81K 1250 downloads
Xubuntu 6.06 Beta (Dapper Drake) uses "Xfce 4 Desktop Environment
version 4.3.90.1 (Xfce 4.3 UNSTABLE)"
aboutxfce.jpg 50.71K 1213 downloads
First thing I noticed was how quickly Xfce started up. In my experience neither Gnome or KDE has ever booted up at such a speed. Xubuntu's desktop looks like a hybrid between Gnome and KDE (Of cause this is not a hybrid but is Xfce). A Gnome looking panel at the top and a slim downed version of KDE's taskbar at the bottom. Xfce looks very interesting indeed.
desktop.jpg 37.06K 5706 downloads
Xfce menu is simple but well categorised. All of my Gnome and KDE apps were listed under the correct sub-menus. KDE and Gnome applications load at relatively the same speed in Xfce as if I was running Gnome or KDE.
XFCEmen1.jpg 3.77K 422 downloads XFCEmenu.jpg 15.23K 507 downloads
I immediately discovered that Xfce uses Thunar as its file manager. Thunar has no added features, in fact it is very simple but it does get the job done.
filemanager.jpg 87.92K 4671 downloads
Looking for a particular application in Xfce's menu can be a nightmare especially if you have Gnome and KDE applications installed. This is where Xfce 4 Appfinder comes in handy. Type in the name of the app you looking for and like magic it comes up.
appfinder.jpg 34.05K 898 downloads
Xfce also includes a basic task-manager. It shows all of the services the system is using. (Similar to task-manager found in Windows)
taskmanager.jpg 53.7K 677 downloads
Xfce also includes:
Xfmedia (A basic multimedia player, with the correct codecs installed can play mp3's, mpeg's etc)
XfMedia.jpg 65.34K 1799 downloads
Orage (Basic calendar)
Orage.jpg 68.57K 1336 downloads
Mousepad (Text editor)
texeditor.jpg 58.76K 1300 downloads
If your system runs slowly using Gnome or KDE then try out Xfce. On the other hand if you think Gnome or KDE is bloated and you wish you could have a desktop that was like either Gnome or KDE. Then Xfce is for you. Xubuntu is a welcomed member of the Ubuntu family. I look forward to Xubuntu 6.06 final.
For more informaton visit
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Xubuntu