Someone suggested fluxbox. I've just downloaded it, and installed it,
and I like it even better than I liked the new look of gnome. :-)

I think I even like it better than KDE. I've been afraid to try stuff,
because I'm afraid I'll type a command and be presented with a prompt
or something. Or find that I have to go find some config file that
redirects me to another doc, and etc.

Dang it, there is some automagical stuff that I do like. Like, stuff
that's really easy to install and has defaults that make sense. Maybe
I'll become an interface writer. :-)

Cheers!
Rich

Rich Grise wrote:

> Someone suggested fluxbox. I've just downloaded it, and installed it,
> and I like it even better than I liked the new look of gnome. :-)
>
> I think I even like it better than KDE. I've been afraid to try stuff,
> because I'm afraid I'll type a command and be presented with a prompt
> or something. Or find that I have to go find some config file that
> redirects me to another doc, and etc.
>
> Dang it, there is some automagical stuff that I do like. Like, stuff
> that's really easy to install and has defaults that make sense. Maybe
> I'll become an interface writer. :-)
>
> Cheers!
> Rich
>

Learn how to run multiple X sessions.

http://www.tuxfiles.org/linuxhelp/multiplex.html
....and change default window managers...
http://www.tuxfiles.org/linuxhelp/changeman.html

....then you can just hit F7 to go back to KDE if you're
trapped, and hit F8 to return to fluxbox. I havn't run into
anything strange in fluxbox. Go ahead and experiment (but
try to stay out of root as much as possible).
The worst that can happen is your computer will melt down,
decimating an area the size of Wyoming, and bringing down the
entire Internet.
--
mbstevens

On Thu, 14 Oct 2004 23:10:37 +0000, Rich Grise wrote:

> Someone suggested fluxbox. I've just downloaded it, and installed it,
> and I like it even better than I liked the new look of gnome. :-)
>
> I think I even like it better than KDE. I've been afraid to try stuff,
> because I'm afraid I'll type a command and be presented with a prompt
> or something. Or find that I have to go find some config file that
> redirects me to another doc, and etc.
>
> Dang it, there is some automagical stuff that I do like. Like, stuff
> that's really easy to install and has defaults that make sense. Maybe
> I'll become an interface writer. :-)

You might also want to try the FVWM themes package, it has some realy kewl
features such as switching between themes on the fly. Using the button
style from X and colors from Y , and Ctrl-Alt-Arrow to switch desktops:
http://fvwm-themes.sourceforge.net/#download

Installation is something like:

# Instead of this you can edit .xinitrc by hand and copy that over:
sed s/fvwm2/fvwm-themes-start/ /etc/X11/xinit/xinitrc.fvwm2 | \
gzip -9 > xinitrc.fvwm_themes.gz

# Script i incuded below
chmod +x fvwm_themes.SlackBuild
../fvwm_themes.SlackBuild

# Maybe you need to cd to $TMP or /tmp before running this:
installpkg fvwm_themes-0.6.2-noarch-1.tgz

# The xinitrc.fvwm_themes option should popup in there:
xwmconfig

# There is a tool for the extra themes - working this way:
fvwm-themes-config --site --install fvwm-themes-extra-0.6.2.tar.gz

Also i installed the wm-icons from here: http://wm-icons.sourceforge.net/
Although they might not be needed (not sure) and work in other WMs too,
installing is just the standard:

tar vjxf wm-icons-0.3.0.tar.bz2
cd wm-icons-0.3.0
../configure
make
slacktrack -p wm_icons-0.3.0-noarch-0.tgz make install cd /tmp
installpkg wm_icons-0.3.0-noarch-0.tgz

-----------------------------------------------------
fvwm_themes.SlackBuild
-----------------------------------------------------
#!/bin/sh
CWD=`pwd`

NAME=fvwm_themes
VERSION=0.6.2
ARCH=${ARCH:-noarch}
BUILD=${BUILD:-1}

if [ ! -d $TMP ]; then
TMP=/tmp
fi

PKG=$TMP/package-$NAME-$VERSION

rm -rf $PKG
mkdir -p $PKG

cd $TMP
tar vzxf $CWD/fvwm-themes-$VERSION.tar.gz

cd fvwm-themes-$VERSION

# Sanitize permissions
chown -R root.root .
find . -type f -exec chmod go-w {} \;
find . -type d -exec chmod 0755 {} \;

# Build this thing
../configure \
--enable-gnome-icons \
--enable-kde2-icons
make
make install DESTDIR=$PKG

# Include documentation
mkdir -p $PKG/usr/doc/$NAME-$VERSION
cp AUTHORS COPYING ChangeLog INSTALL NEWS README TODO \
$PKG/usr/doc/$NAME-$VERSION
cd doc
cp FAQ README* colorsets creating-themes \
functions-appbind-extra menus-extra $PKG/usr/doc/$NAME-$VERSION

cd $PKG

# Compress manual pages
for d in `find . -type d -name 'man?' -print`; do
cd "$d"
gzip -9 *
done

# Set group ownership
find $PKG -type d -name bin -exec chown root.bin {} \;

# Make it so the user need only run "xwmconfig" to select as WM
mkdir -p $PKG/etc/X11/xinit
zcat $CWD/xinitrc.$NAME.gz > $PKG/etc/X11/xinit/xinitrc.$NAME
chmod 755 $PKG/etc/X11/xinit/xinitrc.$NAME

mkdir -p $PKG/install
cat $CWD/slack-desc > $PKG/install/slack-desc

cd $PKG
makepkg -l y -c n ../$NAME-$VERSION-$ARCH-$BUILD.tgz

# Clean up the extra stuff:
if [ "$1" = "--cleanup" ]; then
rm -rf $TMP/fvwm-themes-$VERSION
rm -rf $PKG
fi

--
-Menno.

On Thu, 14 Oct 2004 23:10:37 +0000, Rich Grise wrote:

> Someone suggested fluxbox. I've just downloaded it, and installed it,
> and I like it even better than I liked the new look of gnome. :-)
>
> I think I even like it better than KDE. I've been afraid to try stuff,
> because I'm afraid I'll type a command and be presented with a prompt
> or something. Or find that I have to go find some config file that
> redirects me to another doc, and etc.
>
> Dang it, there is some automagical stuff that I do like. Like, stuff
> that's really easy to install and has defaults that make sense. Maybe
> I'll become an interface writer. :-)
>
> Cheers!
> Rich


Personally I prefer the config files, because that way I'm never dependent
on some gui or specific distro. If you spend all of your time avoiding
them because you're afraid, you probably won't learn your Linux very well.
Seriously, it's only a one week learning curve. (Forgive me if you're
actually very comfortable, you came off as less than comfortable with a
command line). Also, check out this little intro to fluxbox customizing:
http://chrax.50megs.com/fluxbox.html

It hasn't really covered how to make your own themes, but I would just
suggest finding another one, have some flux documentation one pane away
and start playing.

Anyway, I've found fluxbox to be great because simplistic is my style, so
I hope you enjoy it.

Chris

Rich Grise <rich@example.net> wrote:
> Someone suggested fluxbox. I've just downloaded it, and installed it,
> and I like it even better than I liked the new look of gnome. :-)
>
> I think I even like it better than KDE. I've been afraid to try stuff,
> because I'm afraid I'll type a command and be presented with a prompt
> or something. Or find that I have to go find some config file that
> redirects me to another doc, and etc.
>
> Dang it, there is some automagical stuff that I do like. Like, stuff
> that's really easy to install and has defaults that make sense. Maybe
> I'll become an interface writer. :-)
>
> Cheers!
> Rich
>

No automagical configuration tools in fluxbox, but the following
addition to ~/.fluxbox/menu lets me alter my most commonly accessed
config files the honest way. First on the list is the fluxbox
menu itself.


[submenu] (Edit Config Files)
[exec] (fluxbox_menu) {aterm -geometry 100x35 -e mcedit ~/.fluxbox/menu}
[exec] (.bashrc) {aterm -geometry 100x35 -e mcedit ~/.bashrc}
[exec] (.bash_login) {aterm -geometry 100x35 -e mcedit ~/.bash_login}
[exec] (.bash_logout) {aterm -geometry 100x35 -e mcedit ~/.bash_logout}
[exec] (.profile) {aterm -geometry 100x35 -e mcedit ~/.profile}
[exec] (.slrnrc) {aterm -geometry 100x35 -e mcedit ~/.slrnrc}
[exec] (slrn-score) {aterm -geometry 100x35 -e mcedit ~/News/slrn/Score}
[exec] (.fetchmailrc) {aterm -geometry 100x35 -e mcedit ~/.fetchmailrc}
[exec] (.pinerc) {aterm -geometry 100x35 -e mcedit ~/pinerc}
[exec] (.screenrc) {aterm -geometry 100x35 -e mcedit ~/.screenrc}
[exec] ("mcini") {aterm -geometry 100x35 -e mcedit ~/.mc/ini}
[exec] ("mc-bindings") {aterm -geometry 100x35 -e mcedit ~/.mc/bindings}
[end]

Also, the Gnome panel works well in fluxbox, though I don't use it as
much as I used to. I configured it transparent, with auto-hide on the
left side of the screen so it doesn't cover the slit, and disappears
when it's not needed. Also removed the pager - that doesn't work, and
isn't needed. The KDE panel can also be similarly configured.

these menu entries get you there.

[exec] (Gnome_panel) {gnome-panel}
[exec] (KDE_panel) {kicker}


--
Dutchy

FiveThreeEightZeroSevenSevenThree@telus.net (but use digits)

Rich Grise wrote:

> Someone suggested fluxbox. I've just downloaded it, and installed it,
> and I like it even better than I liked the new look of gnome. :-)
>
> I think I even like it better than KDE. I've been afraid to try stuff,
> because I'm afraid I'll type a command and be presented with a prompt
> or something. Or find that I have to go find some config file that
> redirects me to another doc, and etc.
>
> Dang it, there is some automagical stuff that I do like. Like, stuff
> that's really easy to install and has defaults that make sense. Maybe
> I'll become an interface writer. :-)
>
> Cheers!
> Rich

FluxBox is pretty much the "tweak through config files" type of
window manager. But....its config files are just about the easiest
to understand, and easiest to configure, of all the window managers
(as well as offering almost infinite options). It is *very* simple
to configure to suit your needs. You can even make, and implement
changes, *without* having to drop out of it, and re-start it!

There is also a *very* *cool* "desktop app launcher" called "pogo";
that works splendidly with FluxBox.

--

Greg Heilers
Registered Linux user #328317 - Slackware 10.0
.....

"My parents just returned from that planet where the
inhabitants have no bilateral symmetry......
......and all I got was this lousy 'F-Shirt'."

Rich Grise wrote:
> Someone suggested fluxbox. I've just downloaded it, and installed it,
> and I like it even better than I liked the new look of gnome. :-)
>
> I think I even like it better than KDE. I've been afraid to try stuff,
> because I'm afraid I'll type a command and be presented with a prompt
> or something. Or find that I have to go find some config file that
> redirects me to another doc, and etc.
>
> Dang it, there is some automagical stuff that I do like. Like, stuff
> that's really easy to install and has defaults that make sense. Maybe
> I'll become an interface writer. :-)

Here's probably exactly what you're looking for:
http://devaux.fabien.free.fr/flux/

It won't give you all the options, and especially for the newer
versions, there are some you can only reach by config files, but these
do the job for me really well.

~Mik

--
....for in the files of /mnt/doom, another string was made...

On Fri, 15 Oct 2004 00:25:27 +0000, mbstevens wrote:


> Learn how to run multiple X sessions.
>
> http://www.tuxfiles.org/linuxhelp/multiplex.html
> ...and change default window managers...
> http://www.tuxfiles.org/linuxhelp/changeman.html
>
> ...then you can just hit F7 to go back to KDE if you're
> trapped, and hit F8 to return to fluxbox. I havn't run into
> anything strange in fluxbox. Go ahead and experiment (but
> try to stay out of root as much as possible).
> The worst that can happen is your computer will melt down,
> decimating an area the size of Wyoming, and bringing down the
> entire Internet.

that is just too cool. i had no idea i could do so much. a huge thanks,
mbstevens...

Jay wrote:

> On Fri, 15 Oct 2004 00:25:27 +0000, mbstevens wrote:
>
>
>> Learn how to run multiple X sessions.
>>
>> http://www.tuxfiles.org/linuxhelp/multiplex.html
>> ...and change default window managers...
>> http://www.tuxfiles.org/linuxhelp/changeman.html
>>
>> ...then you can just hit F7 to go back to KDE if you're
>> trapped, and hit F8 to return to fluxbox.

Oops, I should have said alt-ctl-F7 and alt-ctl-F8.

>> I havn't run into
>> anything strange in fluxbox. Go ahead and experiment (but
>> try to stay out of root as much as possible).
>> The worst that can happen is your computer will melt down,
>> decimating an area the size of Wyoming, and bringing down the
>> entire Internet.
>
> that is just too cool. i had no idea i could do so much. a huge thanks,
> mbstevens...
Glad you like it.
Here are the relevant aliases I use in .bashrc:
# Multiple X sessions
alias flux='cp xinitrc.flux .xinitrc'
alias xfce='cp xinitrc.xfce4 .xinitrc'
alias nox='rm /home/a/.xinitrc'
# which defaults to KDE on my machine

alias x1='startx -- :1'
alias x2='startx -- :2'
___________________________

These make it easier to play around with other window managers on the fly.
--
mbstevens
http://www.mbstevens.com

On 2004-10-14, Rich Grise <rich@example.net> wrote:
> Someone suggested fluxbox. I've just downloaded it, and installed it,
> and I like it even better than I liked the new look of gnome. :-)

Welcome to the cognoscenti's wm! It is exactly what you make of it.

> I think I even like it better than KDE. I've been afraid to try stuff,
> because I'm afraid I'll type a command and be presented with a prompt
> or something. Or find that I have to go find some config file that
> redirects me to another doc, and etc.

Nah, nothing like that. The stock dropdown lists the things you can do from
the desktop, and $HOME/.fluxbox can have a bunch of different config files.
Thing is, those files are simple and intuitively obvious to tinker. The
format is evident, change/add/delete at will and see what happens!

> Dang it, there is some automagical stuff that I do like. Like, stuff
> that's really easy to install and has defaults that make sense. Maybe
> I'll become an interface writer. :-)
>
> Cheers!
> Rich

Automagical stuff is great when you can do it yourself in any case, and thus
know exactly how it works and what it does. Once one has that, why work
hard? You have the process in hand, now make use of the convenience of the
GUI.

But, all too much automagical GUI crap makes "winders" outa your OS, taking
away your control and leaving you helpless if they don't work. Which is why
you run Slackware anyway, right? GUIs are for convenience only, I think,
just know how to do the same thing on a console!

<grin>
--
Email is wtallman at olypen dot com