Configuring a desktop environment is a slightly different process than configuring the X Window. As discussed in chapter 14, the default login manager is configured in /etc/X11/prefdm. The default desktop environment can be changed with the switchdesk command. Standard applications can be started with the desktop environment using settings in /etc/X11/xinit/xinitrc and files in the /etc/X11/xinit/xinitrc.d directory.
You can also customize a desktop environment based on hidden files in each user's home directory. These files are read first by the key scripts that start the X Window.
For this exercise, you'll need a partner. Have your partner make changes to your system. As your partner works to create a network problem for you to solve on your computer, look away until the computer is rebooting.
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Back up the configuration file associated with the display manager, /etc/X11/prefdm. Make sure to back up this file to a non-standard location, in case your partner also backs up any files before changing them.
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Open the /etc/X11/prefdm configuration file in a text editor. Near the beginning of the file, you'll see the following directive:
# Run preferred X display manager
preferred= -
Change the directive to:
preferred=kdm
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Make sure the default runlevel in /etc/inittab is set to 5.
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Reboot the system, and let your partner back at the computer. Tell him or her to configure the system to boot into the GNOME Display Manager.
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Make sure to tell your partner to back up any files that he or she might change to the appropriate home directory.
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Whatever happens, restore the original /etc/X11/prefdm configuration file when your partner is finished with this exercise.
