A desktop environment typically consists of icons, windows, toolbars, folders, wallpapers and desktop widgets(text box, button)

TopicCommand lineGUI Ease Because of the memorization and familiarity needed to operate a command line interface new users find it much more difficult to successfully navigate and operate a command line interface. Although new users may have a difficult at time learning to use the mouse to operate and use a GUI most users pick up this interface much easier when compared to a command line interface. Control Users have much more control of their file system and operating system in a command line interface. For example, users can easily copy a specific file from one location to another with a one-line command. Although a GUI offers plenty of control of a file system and operating system often advance users or users who need to do specific task may need to resort to a command line to complete that task. Multitasking Although many command line environments are capable of multitasking they do not offer the same ease and ability to view multiple things at once on one screen. GUI users have windows that enable a user to easily view, control, and manipulate multiple things at once and is commonly much faster to do when compared to a command line.

TopicCommand lineGUI

X is the layer between the hardware on your system (your graphics card, and so on) and the GUI that sits on top of X. Have a look at the following diagram to get the general idea: When a program is started up, it goes through the process of first talking to the GUI, about what to do with it's windows, ie: placement, focus and so on. The GUI applies it's thoughts to the process, applies the look, menubars (File, Help, Close, Minimise, etc), and all decorations to the window, then passes it to X. X has the final decision on where it places it on a screen. It then talks to the hardware, making it issue the process.

 DEFAULT LOOK › KDE - by default favors blue and black, has one toolbar at the bottom of the screen, and has one main menu. › GNOME - by default favors brown and orange, has 2 toolbars (one at the top, one at the bottom), and splits its menu into three submenus—Applications, Places, and System.  MENU NAVIGATION › KDE - there is a KMenu through which you access all programs › GNOME - you have separate buttons for applications, for folder navigation, and for system preferences.  RENAMING FILES › KDE - also defaults to a single-click instead of double-click for opening files. › GNOME - also focuses on the main file name, but it does so inline and not with a pop-up window.

 SYSTEM PREFERENCES › KDE - has a System Settings central location for configuring system preferences. This can be accessed through the KMenu. › GNOME - by default, you access each preference one at a time by going to System > Preferences > and then selecting the item you want.  CHANGES › KDE - you have to click Apply or Save to get the changes to stick. › GNOME - changes usually take effect as you are choosing the new option.  EXITING › KDE - click on the KMenu and select Leave and then the next option. › GNOME - exit option recently moved from being in the System menu to being its own applet. You click it and the options come down.

 SYSTEM PREFERENCES › KDE - has a System Settings central location for configuring system preferences. This can be accessed through the KMenu. › GNOME - by default, you access each preference one at a time by going to System > Preferences > and then selecting the item you want.  CHANGES › KDE - you have to click Apply or Save to get the changes to stick. › GNOME - changes usually take effect as you are choosing the new option.  EXITING › KDE - click on the KMenu and select Leave and then the next option. › GNOME - exit option recently moved from being in the System menu to being its own applet. You click it and the options come down.