Date: Thu, 27 Dec 2001 18:30:00 +1100 From: Sue Blake <sue@welearn.com.au> To: leegold <leegold@operamail.com> Cc: freebsd-newbies@FreeBSD.ORG Subject: Re: not happy w/any window managers Message-ID: <20011227182959.D997@welearn.com.au> In-Reply-To: <3C31A9A9@operamail.com>; from leegold@operamail.com on Wed, Dec 26, 2001 at 04:49:40PM -0500 References: <3C31A9A9@operamail.com>
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On Wed, Dec 26, 2001 at 04:49:40PM -0500, leegold wrote:
> I have been try many wm's and have not found one
>
> that let's me resize windows like MS win.
> ie. you position the point ANYwhere along a
> window's edge and the hand turns into a "double arrow"
> indicating you can reposition. If done at a corner you
> can change size of both x and y too.
>
> Anybody know which one can do this?
Nearly all of them do. For example, even the humble fvwm2 does that
very well. The trick is that you have to _configure_ your chosen window
manager to behave the way you want it to behave. Some people don't like
the behaviour you are seeking (though I can't imagine why not) and each
window manager's defaults are just meant as a starting point.
When you use a GUI like Microsoft or OS/2 or MacOS, you are pretty
much stuck with how the vendor likes it. People who use X don't want
to be told what to prefer. Like you, they tend to have definite likes
and dislikes, and want to be able to tell their window managers just
about everything that they want them to do and how to present windows,
commands, options, etc. Everything. It's all there like a well trained
puppy dog, just wishing you would tell it what to do to please you.
> It has been frustrating, many wm's default to
> an eye candy screen and have a skeevy/tricky feel
I heartily agree. Window managers are best chosen by assessing their
configuration opportunities and limitations, but unfortunately many
people tend to judge by first impressions, hence the sleezy gooey look
of their defaults. You're ready to step past that and see what's really
inside the box.
> There's nothing I would like more than a gui that
> would replace my win2k - I am trying.
You're nearly there. Spend some time browsing the man page with your
personal home directory copy of its config file (of fvwm2 or any simple
window manager) in your trusty text editor, and enjoy the vast new world
that opens up to you. If you're coming from Microsoft and you see how
much is possible, it'll blow your mind! :-)
If you have picked a window manager, read the man page and the config
file, and still can't work out how to do it, send the specific question
to the other mailing list freebsd-questions@freebsd.org (along with any
relevant info like which window manager name and version), and someone
will throw you a clue.
Once you've configured the hell out of a simple window manager (any
small one), you'll be better able to assess the other window managers.
And don't worry, there's lots to learn but the knowledge will transfer
to your work with all the other window managers, whether they have
text configuration files or the snazzy but stifling gui config tools.
--
Regards,
-*Sue*-
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