Ubuntu tip: Turning Ubuntu into Kubuntu or Xubuntu

by Brad Linder Oct 20th 2007

So now that Gutsy Gibbon is out, you've decided to try out Ubuntu. But you can't decide which version of the popular Linux distribution is right for you.

Ubuntu's main system has a toolbar at the top, a brown color scheme, and comes with Firefox preloaded. But Kubuntu has a nice calming blue feel, a Windows-like taskbar and start menu, and comes with a powerful new file explorer called Dolphin. And then there's Xubuntu, which has simple, streamlined look and uses the XFCE interface that's designed for quick performance on older, slower machines.

Well, it turns out you don't have to choose. Sure, you could pick one, download it and burn it to a disc and then install it. But you can also install all three desktops. After all, they're all pretty much running on top of the same operating system.

If you've installed the default Gnome version of Ubuntu, just open a terminal by hitting Alt-F2 on your keyboard and typing "gnome-terminal"
To enable Kubuntu, type "sudo apt-get install kubuntu-desktop," enter your password when prompted, and answer yes to any questions that pop up.
To enable Xubuntu, type "sudo apt-get install xubuntu-desktop"
If you're already using Kubuntu or Xubuntu and want to enable Gnome, type "sudo apt-get install gnome-desktop"

The next time you logoff or restart your computer, you can change session types at the logon screen.

Tags: gnome, kde, kubuntu, ubuntu, xfce, xubuntu

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

JB said 9:09AM on 10-21-2007

I am running Xubuntu 7.10 and when I enter this command into the terminal I get a "Couldn't find package gnome-desktop" response. Why is This?

Brad Linder said 9:12AM on 10-21-2007

You may need to make sure you're connected to the internet and/or you have the proper software sources enabled.

JB said 12:39PM on 10-21-2007

Thanks, I just had to set up the repositories correctly.

Tush said 11:19AM on 10-22-2007

How much space does adding three of those systems take up?

Brad Linder said 11:19AM on 10-22-2007

I forget exactly how much space was required, but it wasn't too much. I think Kubuntu-desktop was somewhere in the 400MB range, while Xubuntu-desktop was under 100MB.

urayy1 said 5:32PM on 10-22-2007

To install ubuntu, try:

sudo apt-get install ubuntu-desktop

Alex said 1:47PM on 10-29-2007

you should use aptitude instead of apt-get, so if you decide to remove the other desktop, it removes all the packages that were installed.

john said 10:29AM on 10-30-2007

I've just installed ubuntu-desktop after initially installing ubuntu server. All seemed to go fine except I don't know how to start the graphical desktop (no options presented on reboot). How can I start the desktop from the command line? Thanks.

Igor said 7:36AM on 12-20-2007

@John:
Typing "startx" should start the x window manager from the command line

john said 11:44AM on 10-30-2007

Saurab said 10:23AM on 11-17-2007

Where can we download the kubuntu-desktop file.. without using the apt-get command??

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