Ubuntu by default includes the Gnome desktop environment, but it's easy enough to install another window manager. We've already covered installing KDE (Kubuntu) on Ubuntu in a prior article.

Xubuntu is a lighter version of Ubuntu that uses Xfce as the window manager. From the homepage: "Xfce is a lightweight desktop environment for various *NIX systems…"

To start the installation, open up a terminal window and type in the following command:

sudo apt-get install xubuntu-desktop

You will be prompted for your password, and then you will be prompted to select yes (just hit enter)

After the installation, you will need to logout or reboot your machine. When you get to the login screen, select the Options button in the lower left hand corner:

You will be prompted to select from one of the available window managers. Select Xfce and then login.

The Xfce desktop looks a lot like Gnome, but without all the fancy gadgets:

Stay tuned, more articles about window managers coming soon.