GNOME

'''NOTE Gnome Shell is only the desktop of the Gnome project. This page covers the full Gnome package with the window manager Mutter.'''

GNOME (pronounced /ˈnoʊm/ or /ɡəˈnoʊm/) is a desktop environment and graphical user interface that runs on top of a computer operating system. It is mainly developed by Red Hat employees. It is composed entirely of free and open source software. It is an international project that includes creating software development frameworks, selecting application software for the desktop, and working on the programs that manage application launching, file handling, and window and task management. GNOME is part of the GNU Project and can be used with various Unix-like operating systems, most notably GNU/Linux and as part of OpenSolaris Desktop.

Which Should I Choose? Gnome V.S. Gnome Shell
While Gnome and Gnome Shell are mostly the same there are some extremly IMPORTANT differences:

Gnome Shell does not include a window manager Gnome includes Mutter

Gnome Shell allows extensions from the Gnome Shell Extensions Website while in Gnome to get a similar experince you would need to install a special package

Gnome Shell has an Activities menu while Gnome does not

Support for GNOME
Beyond the worldwide GNOME Community, GNOME is supported by companies including HP, MandrakeSoft, Novell, Red Hat, and Sun.

Distros which use GNOME include:


 * Debian


 * Linux Mint (Does not run Gnome by default. See Cinnamon )


 * Fedora (Fedora Workstation runs On Gnome Shell. Fedora flavors are availble with other desktop enviorments. See getfedora.org)
 * Solus