Since I use Linux as well as Mac OS X, I am fairly familiar with the GNOME desktop, application suite, and associated applications. I am compiling notes on using GNOME with Apple's X11, attempting to port some GNOME applications to Mac OS X, and toying with the idea of helping port GTK+ to Mac OS X. This is all hampered by time constrants and the fact that I am not a C programmer.

I run the GNOME Desktop on Mac OS X. I run X11 without a root window, and with the quartz-wm window manager. View a screen shot with the GNOME menu, GNOME Control Center, Bluefish, Terminal and Safari all on the same screen.

I use MacPorts to maintain my installation of GNOME. Most of the MacPorts packages for GNOME are from GNOME 2.12. Details are available.

Running GNOME without a root window

The GNOME desktop is designed to provide a complete user interface. As such, it wants to control the desktop of your computer. It can be made to work nicely without claiming the desktop, but no user interface exposes the required settings.

Basic configuration:

1. Configure Nautilus (GNOME's file manager) to not draw the desktop.

   In a Terminal or gnome-terminal window, type:gconftool-2 -s -t bool /apps/nautilus/preferences/show_desktop false

2. Write (or modify) your .xinitrc file to launch quartz-wm before gnome-session.

   This is an exercise for the reader, but here is my .xinitrc:
   # make sure X11 is fink-enabled
source /sw/bin/init.sh
# use Apple's window manager
exec quartz-wm &
# start GNOME
exec gnome-session

3. Setup the GNOME panel

   Drag the GNOME panel to where you want it. I have not been able to successfully attach the panel to one side of the display and choose to set it in the lower left corner after removing everything but the main menu from the panel.

Optional Configuration:

Turn off the GNOME splash screen

I found the GNOME splash screen, which is displayed above all other windows, annoying in rootless mode. I'd be reading something in Safari or Mail and then have to stop and wait while GNOME opens. But it turns out that the splash screen can be turned off. In a Terminal or gnome-terminal window, type: gconftool-2 -s -t bool /apps/gnome-session/options/show_splash_screen false

Notes

gnome-panel

The gnome-panels do not display correctly when interleaved with Aqua windows.