Xfce "theming" Capability In LXLE 32-bit?
  • Johnny_RicoJohnny_Rico
    PMPosts: 27
    Hello Friends,


    I am still learning Linux and such things as the various Desktop Environments.  I'm a long-time Windows user (starting long ago in Basic / Fortran77, Wang Terminal, DOS, early Mac, and just about every Windows since 95), but am making a real effort to learn and use Linux.  User @Beamer made an excellent point not so long ago, and I share that sentiment she expressed: Why do we bother with our Old Computers? ... Because I do not want a newer smart car tracking me everywhere.
    http://www.lxle.net/forums/discussion/1725/keeping-alive-older-computers-combats-distopian-take-over


    In addition, I have been rebuilding and giving away free computers to those who need them (over 200 machines have found new homes).

    But I find myself wedged between a rock and hard place: I can no longer offer machines using Windows 7.  Not only has Redmond ended all support for that OS, the various hardware manufacturers have largely deleted Win7 drivers from their support sites.

    So this leaves me with a bunch of older machines (generally Pentium 4's, 2GHz+ with 1 or more GB in RAM, 32-bit).  LXLE has been one of two distros I have been using thus far, to revive these older machines, and those machines seem to be running nicely on LXLE 18.04.3 LTS.

    The local school systems' only demand for a student's computer is that it have the CHROME browser (and CHROMIUM fits that bill).  So each machine comes with AbiWord and Pluma for doing schoolwork.  LXLE seems to more readily recognize WiFi MiniCards / USB WLAN dongles.


    WHAT WOULD BE REALLY NICE - WINDOWS THEME AND ICONS.


    In this regard, I have great difficulty.  It's most likely a function of getting to know LXLE better, but thus far, simply creating .icons and .themes directories and downloading the b00merang projects XP-style Themes and Icons (thanks Elbullazul), still leaves me stuck at the Unzip-install stage.  


    I have been doing some research before asking this question, such as LXLE's post:

    LXDE vs XFCE - CPU & Memory Usage
    https://www.lxle.net/forums/discussion/1017/lxde-vs-xfce-cpu-memory-usage/p1

    and the discussion, some years ago (June 2014), between @Grizzly907LA , @Zaka, @rfry85, @mfrazzz [How about an XFCE version?
    https://www.lxle.net/forums/discussion/447/xfce-for-lxle

    and, June 2020, user @Rhino_Cracker suggested this Windows XP style theme and configs ***optimized for XFCE***  
    https://github.com/ZoomTen/xptheme-20180113

    Why XFCE?  Because allegedly, it can be more easily "themed" to look like Windows than other DE's:

    Linux DEs and Windows-like Taskbars
    https://askubuntu.com/questions/233580/what-desktop-environments-can-group-window-icons-in-the-taskb...

    How to Make Xfce More Like Windows
    https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-make-xfce-more-like-windows-4690512




    FIRST QUESTION: IS THERE A LXLE VERSION USING XFCE4?


    I am aware that it's easy to ask about modifying a distro, but it's a lot harder to actually do it, so I'm asking, first if it's already been done. (making a LXLE version with Xfce4).  

    My guess, from LXLE's discussion, above, is "No."



    SECOND QUESTION:  CAN XFCE4 BE ADDED TO AN LXLE 18.04 LTS INSTALL WITHOUT NEGATIVELY IMPACTING PERFORMANCE?

    Taking into account LXLE's discussion of speed versus memory demands of Desktop Environments, can it be done?

    [Graph, comparative memory requirements: LXDE, GNOME, MATE, CINNAMON, Etc...]
    https://l3net.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/cmp-all4.png?w=625&h=617

    One machine, already loaded and donated, had a 3.2 GHz CPU and 2 GBs RAM.  Adding Cinnamon and CINN-XP made for a beautiful desktop, with a 9 year old exclaiming "Cool!" as we ran through the possible different desktops. Other attempts at loading Cinnamon on machines with less horsepower have not performed as well.


    THIRD QUESTION: 32-BIT ALTERNATIVES TO LXLE FEATURING XFCE?

    I have looked at other distros, such as Linux Lite and Lubuntu, Peppermint and Mint.  Most, if not all, have ended 32-bit support, which really narrows my choices, and with all credit to LXLE, it remains about the fastest install of any I have tried with older machines and laptops.

    Thanks in advance for any guidance you can provide.


    Best,

    JR











  • BeamerBeamer
    PMPosts: 62
    Hello. I'm just going to jump in with my two cents worth.  I've been giving LXLE boxes to seniors and persons with serious learning disabilities.  Windows is just TOO HARD for them to figure out.  It blinks and jumps out at them and asks way too many questions constantly, and every time they turn it on, voila, it seems to be a different computer to learn about.  I flatly refuse to help anybody using Windows, because I always feel like a sucker who's been slimed after the experience.  Windows FORCES me into a learning curve that I am then FORCED to teach the student.  I hate being FORCED into anything that I hate. 

    When I present LXLE to them, it is the same every time they boot.  That's the most important thing. 

    I tweak whatever apps they want, and put them on the desktop as that's all they will ever relate to, usually.

    My calls for urgent help reduced. Mostly now, all I have to do is remind people where the on/off button is on their machine, and their password.  This can be done by phone.  The complicated issues, like opening an email, can be done on site, in a covid safe manner of one's discernment per episode. 

    There are no calls about frightening popups that are hiding their access to their desktop icons.


    LXLE user since 2013.
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