Yes, you need a desktop environment for Debian.
Yes, you need a desktop environment for Debian.
First off, you're aiming to keep the GUI active while using a terminal. Many people prefer different terminals such as Alacritty, and it's important to discover what suits you best. This is why Linux stands out from Windows. Personally, I stick with the default Xfce terminal and tweak it with some shell changes and keybindings. For example, I use a Manjaro theme on Vannila Arch. Before diving into custom settings, it's crucial to grasp Linux commands and file systems—otherwise you risk damaging your system or encountering unexpected issues.
Alternatively, it could be that he is only taking a screenshot of a specific part of the screen, preventing us from viewing the rest of his desktop. Many developers work on macOS professionally. I haven’t encountered anyone using Linux on their personal computer, even if the software is designed for Linux environments. This suggests that a simple UI with no complex windowing manager is uncommon, even among developers.
It's quite interesting to see. Most of my research team relies on Linux for their work, with just a few using Windows. We don't have any MacOS users at all. I completely understand this approach. Such a minimal graphical interface is rare—I only know someone who uses NixOS and Emacs for this.
Only major firms such as Google, Microsoft, Apple, etc., provide Linux machines to their new hires. My organization gives each person a MacBook Pro, regardless of role, though engineers receive a unique 64 GB RAM model for specific needs. I can't simply replace macOS with Windows or Linux, nor do we do this with company laptops.
He is employing a tiling window manager called i3 on Debian Linux. It comes with a steep learning curve, which might make it seem dull for newcomers, but persistence and effort can turn this into a rewarding experience.
Consider kernel-level adjustments or a full-screen terminal window. It offers a minimal graphical interface similar to DWM, but may function like i3 or another window manager. You can accomplish comparable tasks with either. I've relied heavily on i3, it provides many benefits for experienced users, though beginners might find it challenging. If you're new to i3, it's worth exploring the numerous discussions about desktop backgrounds and audio settings before diving in.
I'm considering staying with my current desktop setup. It's not GNOME because it feels too heavy and overly stylish. During the Debian installation, I saw a desktop environment named "Debian desktop environment" or similar, and GNOME was also present. What does that look like? I'm looking for something lighter. I've heard XFCE is a solid choice, but are there even better or more lightweight options? I'm okay with an older interface as long as it's just a graphical interface.