Desktop Environment, Desktop Environment

Some window managers such as IceWM, Fluxbox and Window Maker contain rudimentary desktop environments, while others like evilwm and wmii do not. Initially, CDE was available as a proprietary solution, but was never popular on Linux systems due to cost and licensing restrictions.

GNOME on the other hand is more prescriptive, and focuses on the finer details of essential tasks and overall simplification. Accordingly, each one attracts a different user and developer community. Technically, there are numerous technologies common to all Linux desktop environments, most obviously the X Window System. Accordingly, the freedesktop.org project was established as an informal collaboration zone with the goal being to reduce duplication of effort.

Source: Wikipedia > Desktop Environment