Can I install i3 without replacing my existing setup?

asked 2013-08-13 19:03:22 +0000

Anonymous

updated 2013-08-13 21:40:24 +0000

I'm running Ubuntu 11 and LXDE. I'd like to give i3 a try, but have the choice to go back and forth between my existing setup and i3. Can I do this? How? How do I switch back and forth?

To clarify: 1. Currently, I don't get any choice of WM - it just takes me right into LXDE

Can I do this without rebooting?
Can I do this without closing all my open applications? Will they be available under both sessions? How?
Can I run i3 on one virtual display and my current WM on another? How?

answered 2013-08-13 20:35:02 +0000

Tohwi
48 ●2 ●2 ●7

updated 2013-08-19 09:06:56 +0000

Of course! Just install the i3 package, and you will be able to select between i3 and the other installed windows manager in your session manager (at startup, or when you close your session).

Edit: Answers to new questions

All you need to do is close your session, not reboot
I don't think so. That might be possible, but I never tried launching two X sessions at once. In any way, I really doubt you would be able to access your GUI applications with both windows managers at the same time.
I don't think so. You'd better use another computer or a virtual machine to do so. Edit: actually you can with xorg-server-xephyr, see comment below

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@Tohwi - Thanks - I added some questions for clarification, since I'm not sure how to do this!

srobertjames ( 2013-08-13 21:40:53 +0000 )edit

3rd answer is not really true, you can use xorg-server-xephyr to start a windowed X.Org session and i3 (or anything else) within it. More information on how to use it here: http://awesome.naquadah.org/wiki/Using_Xephyr

MeanEYE ( 2013-08-16 18:20:47 +0000 )edit

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Can I install i3 without replacing my existing setup?

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