This is the second part of a brief introduction to Linux desktop environments. Just for fun, we'll match the Linux desktop environment with Iron Man's different armors. Marvel's currently popular character, who has changed his armor every time a new writer pens his tales, is a great way to give users an idea of the varied desktop environments available for Linux users (and those interested in installing Fedora 18). A desktop environment really doesn't change a Linux distribution to the core - just like Iron Man's ever-present uni-beam, pulse bolts, jet boots, and repulsor rays remains present in 90% of his armor models.
**Disclaimer: Armor designs included in this list purposely only include selections from Iron Man's 1960s-1990s publishing run. Some armor details are from this great article written by devoted fans.***
Xfce
Xfce is the extremely popular lightweight desktop environment preferred by Linux users tired of desktop effects and an overloaded desktop. Unlike LXDE, which typically comes with the least number of applications, Xfce distributions often come with a complete set of utilities, from VNC desktop clients to IDEs aside in addition to the standard accoutrements of text editors, e-mail clients, and browsers found in most distros. Xfce's most unique feature is the Application Finder, which is triggered by ALT+F2. Also commonly found with Xfce is the Thunar File Manager and its own window manager, Xwfm. Like the more robust but hobbled KDE, Xfce is easily customizable through the GUI or by modifying specific scripts. Click here for a quick recent review of the Fedora 17 Xfce spin.
Fedora Xfce spin LXPanel properties
Fedora 17 Xfce spin menu
Iron Man Armor: Auxiliary/Modular Armor
In an effort to boost action figure sales for ToyBiz and add a bit of convenience to Stark's constant armor changes, the Auxiliary Armor was introduced by the Iron Man writers in the comic books around the same time the 1994 Iron Man cartoon was broadcasted (paired with the Fantastic Four in the Marvel Action Hour). The design (like Xfce) was focused on being extensible and modular with weapons and armor being switched at Stark's whim. The highly modular armor allowed Stark to remotely call out equipment/peripheral sets like the Hulkbuster and Hydro Armor when he needed it.
Modular Armor art from Iron Man#294 (1992)
Although the Modular armor lacked the aesthetics of the golden armor or even the Silver Centurion armor, it was inexplicably popular and was used in the Marvel Super Heroes/Marvel vs. Capcom arcade game.
Xfce 4.10 is available for Fedora 18 Spherical Cow through the Fedora 18 DVD or by installing the Fedora 18 Xfce spin.
KDE
KDE 3 was beloved by veteran Linux users and had the same popularity as Gnome 2 when KDE 4.x, a decidedly pimped out upgrade, was released. When KDE 4.x's bugs were ironed out, the fully-loaded desktop environment came out streamlined and spiffy with a host of desktop effects and design improvements. KDE 4.x is recognizable by its Plasma Desktop Interface, which has several prebuilt widgets, the improved KDE Kickoff menu, a netbook interface, and a bucketload of KDE apps. KDE has been historically more buggy than any other desktop environment and is fairly slower compared to more practical desktops such as Xfce and LXDE. Moreover, the pre-installed KDE applications, though powerful, often have better alternatives. KDE is quite popular, however, with many Linux distributions like openSUSE, Kubuntu, Fedora, Mageia/Mandriva, PCLinuxOS, and many others providing full support for the desktop environment.
openSUSE 12.x KDE widgets and desktop add-ons
openSUSE 12.2 KDE Kickoff Menu
Iron Man Armor: Silver Centurion
In one of the more memorable storylines in the Iron Man mythos, Tony Stark donned the Silver Centurion armor for the purpose of hunting down and disabling his stolen tech in "Armor Wars." Stark's singular purpose helped him design an armor that was not only powerful but functional, allowing him to quickly accomplish his goal. The scarlet and silver design is fondly remembered by fans and stands out as one of the more original armor designs that appeared in the books (all the new armor designs during and post-Marvel bankruptcy in the late 90s were all forgettable save for Extremis). The Silver Centurion was either heavier, shinier, and bulkier than any of Stark's previous armors (kind of like KDE).
Silver Centurion art from Iron Man#225 (1987)
KDE Plasma Workspace 4.9 is available for Fedora 18 Spherical Cow by installing the Fedora 18 KDE spin or through the Fedora 18 DVD.
Introducing Linux Desktop Environments featuring Fedora 18 and Iron Man Part 3: Cinnamon and Gnome 3.x
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