pacer 1) Can I install along side gnome and basically try it out without going all out?
2) Would a setup of  Sway Alacritty Ranger Network-Manager Waybar Swayidle/db be a sufficient setup?
3) Does the NM package include the tui?
Thanks, I've never used a WM before
me either. but I setup bspwm two days ago.
 you aren't installing 'alongside' as you are a shell program that runs on budgie. IMO.--EDIT I say that because the WM (sway) should turn up in the login page as a pull down toggle. it won't have it's own boot--it's dependent on host (budgie for me).
I used alacritty, waybar, nitrogen as desktop, picom as compositor, dunst for something-and some of these---long story short--but I never installed anetwork-manager --don't do it you already have one and computers should only have one.
but for some of those programs we both mentioned, you are going to have to find of scavenge the .conf files for--I had to DIY setup in Budgie 3 hours before I could successfully launch the tiling manager.
It was fun, I'd do it again. find a video that helps you.