LXDE is a lean code, open source desktop environment^W for Linux, Unix and related operating systems. (In simple terms, it's the part of the system that manages the user interface, i.e. menus and windows.)

It is focused on ease of use and low resource use. Being light and fast, it:

• works well with old and lower-spec computers, such as netbooks and other small computers.
• is a good candidate for ICT4D applications (Information and Communication Technologies for Development), where it allows the use of low-cost hardware, reduces the need for hardware upgrades, and uses less electricity.

It is available on various Linux distributions including Mandriva, Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora and openSUSE; it is default on desktop environment of Knoppix, Lubuntu and U-lite. Components of LXDE are used other systems such as CrunchBang (though less in version 10 than in previous versions). LXDE's coding philosophy^[1] leads to a modular desktop, where you can easily take the panel, terminal or other component, and use it on any Linux system with few compatibility worries.

Resource use

See also

• CrunchBang Linux - a distro which is Ubuntu-based (up to version 9.04) Debian-based (version 10 and higher, now in Beta). Aiming for a mid-point in ease-of use and lightness, being lighter and harder to use than LXDE, but* CrunchBang Linux - a distro which is Ubuntu-based (up to version 9.04) Debian-based (version 10 and higher, now in Beta). Aiming for a mid-point in ease-of use and lightness, being lighter and harder to use than LXDE, but still with a GUI and much easier than most ultra-light Linux distros, still with a GUI and much easier than most ultra-light Linux distros.

Notes

External links

• The LXDE Wiki
• Linux Distributions offering LXDE
• Wikipedia:LXDE
• LXDE project homepage