XBMCBuntu - basic flaws

Why? XBMCbuntu has a WM installed and any software or applications that you want which would require a GUI can be installed on that. All you have to do is exit out of XBMC and log into a new session with the using lightdm.

The OP doesn't seem to understand the purpose of XBMC. OTOH, how many installs of WMC have instructions included with them. That seems to be MS' flagship media center app, and I find it much more difficult to deal with than XBMC. FrontRow on OSX was just horrendous. I think XBMC's usability out of the box far exceeds anything else on the market that isn't a fork of XBMC. You can use it just from a file browsing and launching standpoint or set it up with libraries in order to show its full glory.

(2012-04-14 12:17)jitterbug Wrote:  

(2012-04-14 10:49)kickeres Wrote:  Does anyone know how to toggle between the desktop and xbmc?

I do believe that your only option is to "exit" xbmc - and thereby enter the desktop

Awesome thanks

(2012-04-10 06:57)chippyash Wrote:  @plaguester - I disagree. Nowhere on the packet does it say that XBMCBuntu "is intended for those who will mostly use the HTPC as a set top box". I'm looking at the description on the front page of xbmc.org right now. It clearly states that "XBMCbuntu is now built upon a full LXDE desktop environment". It goes on to say that the user may toggle between the desktop and XBMC environment (poor use of term as actually you have to choose one or the other at logon.) That sounds like a sytem that we should be able to use on our HD TV's.

You can disagree all you want, but the fact of the matter is XBMC itself is meant to be used like a set-top box using a 10-foot user interface, and that's how XBMCbuntu/Live is seen too. The minimal desktop environment is just there to make it easier to do various things, such as settings, installing emulators, torrent clients, or even just being able to configure things like advancedsettings.xml from time to time. It's also a starting point if people want to expand upon the OS and install more software or even a more advanced desktop environment.

If you want a full linux install with XBMC, then why don't you just do a full linux install and then install XBMC?

(2012-04-14 17:57)zmw1 Wrote:  

(2012-04-14 16:10)robo989 Wrote:  It's clear the developers taking the decisions in the direction XBMC goes in are on some kind of drug, that is all one needs to say. Strange that they have been on this drug for around 2 years now.

and yet it works for most....

so does alchol but I not going to run around drunk all day. too me a true htpc experience is to resemble a STB , and a STB has no Destop Environment or Windows Manager in the background, so I will be sticking with a Ubuntu minimal install with XBMC installed, If I really really wanted to I would go with a Windows Manager not a bloated Desktop to begin with which takes up more hard drive space and ram with programs I will never use, staying clear of Windows or full Ubuntu installs, maybe something like fluxbox which i have used in the past. On the plus side XBMCBuntu will pull in more users that have trouble getting their hands too dirty, or would prefer to spend their time drinking lots of booze instead of coding. j/k..

Quote:so does alchol but I not going to run around drunk all day

Good to hear, your reasoning gives another impression.

BTW, xbmcbuntu does not have a desktop manager or window manager in the background but it does have xorg running and so does your installation.
So what are you refering to exactly and what is your point? You do understand that not started binaries does not use any RAM?

BTW2, this thread have make up its mind, is the desktop bloated or weak? If you can't agree you should start 2 separate threads.
May I suggest the topics?
1) The devs are on drugs because a more heavy desktop is not available without a 30s additional installation
2) The devs are on drugs because a very lighth desktop is available for optional use to position xbmcbuntly slightly differently compared to live.

The XBMCbuntu concept can use further development but this thread is very very weak.

Hey Guys.
For those of you suffering from the "no-sound-issue", this is how it worked for me to have sound:
For having sound at all I just used the following settings that should work for everyone I guess:
Custom settings for audio output and paththrough with this entry: plug:both
After installation of the XBMC Audiomixer plugin there was no more sound.
By default it muted the sound. So I changed that in the settings of the plugin.

I use a zotac ZBox ID34BD
Hope this helps Cheers!

(2012-04-18 00:30)wilson.joe Wrote:  too me a true htpc experience is to resemble a STB , and a STB has no Destop Environment or Windows Manager in the background

Why are you bitching about a desktop install having a desktop installed?

DONT USE IT. I NEVER see the desktop but its there if I want it.

it EXACTLY resembles a STB.