gnome-session-flashback

traditional desktop session based on GNOME technologies

GNOME Flashback continues the traditional desktop interface which was used in GNOME 2.x, but using modern GNOME technologies. The key parts of GNOME Flashback are the GNOME Panel and the Metacity window manager. All other components, such as the file manager, the settings center, and the various applications, come from mainstream GNOME. GNOME Flashback has lower hardware requirements than GNOME Shell, and consumes less memory. This package provides the required components for the GNOME Flashback session. It can be started from a display manager such as GDM.

gnome-session

GNOME Session Manager - GNOME 3 session

The GNOME Session Manager is in charge of starting the core components of the GNOME desktop, and applications that should be launched at login time. It also features a way to save and restore currently running applications. This package contains the required components for the standard GNOME 3 session, based on the GNOME Shell. It can be started from a display manager such as GDM, and requires 3D acceleration to work properly.

gnome-session-fallback

GNOME Session Manager - GNOME Flashback (transitional package)

The GNOME Session Manager is in charge of starting the core components of the GNOME desktop, and applications that should be launched at login time. It also features a way to save and restore currently running applications. This is a transitional package to ease upgrades to gnome-session-flashback. It can be safely removed.