Hello this is a question that I am sure confuses even the elite!

This is what I know...

A linux (*nix) GUI consists of a desktop environment, and a windowing environment. There was X386 and Xfree86 was made as a "free" implementation (like linux is to unix) and included free instead of 3 for the pun/joke name. But I don't know anything else. Can someone explain what and how it all works together (with maybe some time lines and explain the functions of each) so that it makes sense to a compete tool like me?

Differences like:
X,
X11,
X-windows,
X386 -> Xfree86,
KDE, Gnome and others

How are they different, who made what, when. How is it that there is no (basic) rundown of how it all works, and why hasn't anyone asked it before. I know you have all wondered about it! COME ON FACE IT!!!