help with Xfree and Wmaker
 

Hi,

just installed Fink0.5.0.a (binary distrib), (deleted previous fink removing the /sw) and then installed xfree86 with
sudo apt-get install and everything seemed to be OK. when tried to start XDarwin on the terminal.app, XDarwin exits before starting, and got the following message:

-------------------------------------------------------------
[Gil-Fortess-Computer:~] gil% startx -- -rootless

2002-12-13 11:01:55.716 XDarwin[586]
XDarwin 1.1.1.1
Running rootless inside Mac OS X window server.

This is a pre-release version of XFree86, and is not supported in any
way. Bugs may be reported to XFree86@XFree86.Org and patches submitted
to fixes@XFree86.Org. Before reporting bugs in pre-release versions,
please check the latest version in the XFree86 CVS repository
(http://www.XFree86.Org/cvs)

XFree86 Version 4.2.1.1 / X Window System
(protocol Version 11, revision 0, vendor release 6600)
Release Date: 18 October 2002
If the server is older than 6-12 months, or if your hardware is
newer than the above date, look for a newer version before
reporting problems. (See http://www.XFree86.Org/FAQ)
Operating System: Darwin
Using keymapping provided in /System/Library/Keyboards/USA.keymapping.
_XSERVTransmkdir: Owner of /tmp/.X11-unix should be set to root
Display mode: Rootless Quartz
Screen 0 added: 1024x747 @ (0,21)
Screen 0 placed at X11 coordinate (0,0).
cat: /Users/gil/.Xauthority: No such file or directory
/Users/gil/.xinitrc: exec: wmaker: not found

waiting for X server to shut down Quitting XDarwin...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

it seems there is a problem related with .xinitrc file and WMaker;

when I open the .xinitrc file , I have this:
-------------------------------------------------------------------
[Gil-Fortess-Computer:~] gil% pico .xinitrc

UW PICO(tm) 2.5 File: .xinitrc

# Window Maker default X session startup script

PATH="$PATH:/sw/bin"

# If you login from xdm, uncomment this to make error messages appear
# in the console window.
#
# tail -f /Users/gil/.xsession-errors > /dev/console &

exec wmaker
---------------------------------------------------------------

I do not have Wmaker installed; had it before but deleted it before installing the new fink version.

Could anyone tell me what am doing wrong please.
Appreciate any help.
Thank you.
gilfortes

Hello,

I hope i'm not missing something obvious, but why don't you simply install window maker or your window manager of choice?

fink install wmaker


v

thank you for your reply:
when I type
sudo fink install windowmaker, get "no package found".

gil fortes

$ fink list | grep -i maker
windowmaker 0.80.1-2 GNUstep (NeXT-like) Window Manager
windowmaker-dev 0.80.1-2 GNUstep (NeXT-like) Window Manager
windowmaker-shlibs 0.80.1-2 GNUstep (NeXT-like) Window Manager
...

If you don't see the first option, you might consider rebuilding your package index. I think that's done with 'fink index', but someone more knowledgable with fink should confirm/deny this first.

Alternately, you could install any other window manager, and make the appropriate change to the xinit file (either /etc/X11/xinit/xinitrc or ~/.xinitrc as appropriate).

Good luck
Eric

thank you,

did not see the first option; sorry but my knowledge on the unix side is not very good; I am getting lost. appreciate more help.
thank you.

gilfortes,

There is no windowmaker package in the stable branch in Fink-0.5.0a :

Package windowmaker
In current-unstable:-----Version 0.80.1-2
In current-stable:-------not present
In 0.5.0a-stable:---------not present
In 0.4.1-stable:-----------Version 0.80.0-7 (10.1 only)

If you want to install windowmaker-0.8.1-2 you will have to configure the unstable branch by adding unstable/main and unstable/crypto to the Trees: Line in /sw/etc/gink.config and after run, fink index.

Check here:

http://fink.sourceforge.net/faq/usage-fink.php#unstable

Also, you could write a very simple ~/.xinitrc file in your home directory with just :

Cheers...

Well, I have:

$ fink -V
Package manager version: 0.11.0
Distribution version: 0.4.9.cvs

this... haven't upgraded to 0.5.0 yet, as the 0.3->0.4 upgrade was so painful.

Eric

thank you Sao for your reply:
In fact there is no windowmaker package in the stable branch in Fink-0.5.0a; meanwhile tried to install Wmaker (WindowMaker-0.80.2.tar.gz) following the instructions on the WM site:

1- download and extract WindowMaker-0.80.2.tar.gz
2-compiling a) ./configure
b) make
c) make install

but got some recursive errors:

after ./configure command it says:


Installation path prefix: /usr/local
Installation path prefix for binaries: /usr/local/bin
Installation path for WPrefs.app: /usr/local/GNUstep/Apps/WPrefs.app
Graphic format libraries: XPM builtin-PPM
Translated message files to install: none
WARNING WARNING WARNING WARNING WARNING WARNING WARNING

JPEG support will not be included because the JPEG library is
not installed correctly or was not found. Background images
from themes will not display as they usually are JPEG files.

To fix, download and install the jpeg library and/or make sure you
installed all jpeg related packages, SPECIALLY the development packages
like jpeg-devel (if you use some prepackaged version of libjpeg).



after make command it says:

__Xsetlocale
make[2]: *** [connect] Error 1
make[1]: *** [all-recursive] Error 1
make: *** [all-recursive] Error 1


after make install, it says:

Making install in wrlib
/bin/sh ../mkinstalldirs /usr/local/lib
mkdir /usr/local/lib
mkdir: /usr/local/lib: Permission denied
make[2]: *** [install-libLTLIBRARIES] Error 1
make[1]: *** [install-am] Error 2
make: *** [install-recursive] Error 1

-------------------------------------------

My .xinitrc file is this:

# Window Maker default X session startup script

PATH="$PATH:/sw/bin"

# If you login from xdm, uncomment this to make error messages appear
# in the console window.
#
# tail -f /Users/gil/.xsession-errors > /dev/console &

exec wmaker
-----------------------------------------

Do you have any ideas?

Thank you for your patience.

gilfortes,

You claim to be new at unix. Is there a particular reason you want windowmaker/wmaker? There are lots of other window managers available in fink.

$ fink list | grep -i "window *manager"

gives me a long list of wms. Personally, I downloaded blackbox recently and have been using it for my Xwindow needs. It's nice and minimal, has over a dozen themes/skins/color schemes/whatever, and a small dock (I did have to move it, as by default, it's bottom center, right under the OSX dock.app).

Whichever wm you choose, you will have to make the appropriate change to xinitrc. One other suggestion is to start an xterm after you start the window manager:

xterm -geometry 80x24+0+20 -fg white -bg black -name login

Or, you could just manually start an xterm from your WM as needed... that's a matter of personal preference.

Eric

thank you Eric:
in fact the only reason I have to use WMaker is that was using it before with Fink 0.3.1 and was working fine with applications like GIMP and Rasmol. Since am new on Unix wanted to keep things as they were before. But as you say there are a few other options. Well if I move to a different window manager, will need some help to get it working.
Thank you for your advice.
gilfortes.

gilfortes,

If you want windowmaker...

Do you have the July (Jaguar) Developer Tools and the August update installed?

If you do, my advice is still the same. Configure Fink to use unstable in /sw/etc/fink.config:
Then, run 'fink selfupdate-cvs'

Then, run 'fink install windowmaker'

Then write your ~/.xinitrc with pico, like this:
Cheers...

Sao, Thank you very much for your help; I think I will leave Wmaker ang go for fvwm2 window manager; what exactly shal I have in my /.xinitrc file?
Also when start xfree86 on the terminal.app, get the following:


-------------------------------------------------
[Cristal:~] gil% startx -- -rootless

2002-12-14 09:30:40.982 XDarwin[8981]
XDarwin 1.1.1.1
Running rootless inside Mac OS X window server.

This is a pre-release version of XFree86, and is not supported in any
way. Bugs may be reported to XFree86@XFree86.Org and patches submitted
to fixes@XFree86.Org. Before reporting bugs in pre-release versions,
please check the latest version in the XFree86 CVS repository
(http://www.XFree86.Org/cvs)

XFree86 Version 4.2.1.1 / X Window System
(protocol Version 11, revision 0, vendor release 6600)
Release Date: 18 October 2002
If the server is older than 6-12 months, or if your hardware is
newer than the above date, look for a newer version before
reporting problems. (See http://www.XFree86.Org/FAQ)
Operating System: Darwin
Using keymapping provided in /System/Library/Keyboards/USA.keymapping.
_XSERVTransmkdir: Owner of /tmp/.X11-unix should be set to root
Display mode: Rootless Quartz
Screen 0 added: 1024x747 @ (0,21)
Screen 0 placed at X11 coordinate (0,0).
cat: /Users/gil/.Xauthority: No such file or directory
login: fatal IO error 32 (Broken pipe) or KillClient on X server ":0.0"
X connection to :0.0 broken (explicit kill or server shutdown).
xterm: fatal IO error 32 (Broken pipe) or KillClient on X server ":0.0"
xterm: fatal IO error 32 (Broken pipe) or KillClient on X server ":0.0"
Quitting XDarwin...
xinit: connection to X server lost.

waiting for X server to shut down .....

[Cristal:~] gil%


---------------------------------------------------------------------
Xdarwin works ok, but gave the above messages.

Is there any problem with the "cat: /Users/gil/.Xauthority: No such file or directory"?

Thank you once again for your patience.
gil fortes

gilfortes,

You only need to create a 2-line "~/.xinitrc" file in your home directory:
After you write your ~/.xinitrc file, start from terminal.app with:

startx -- -fullscreen

And let me know. (In my opinion fvwm2 is a 'bit' of a hassle to configure)


Anyhow, the message:
Is harmless:
"Class: Mostly harmless. It is unknown where these messages come from and they seem to have no impact on operations. You can get rid of them by running touch .Xauthority in your home directory."

The real errors come after that.

Check:

http://fink.sourceforge.net/doc/x11/trouble.php


Cheers...

Sao,

when trying to install fvwm2 with apt-get, got the following message:
--------------------------------------
[Cristal:~] gil% sudo apt-get install fvwm2
Password:
Reading Package Lists... Done
Building Dependency Tree... Done
You might want to run `apt-get -f install' to correct these:
Sorry, but the following packages have unmet dependencies:
fvwm2: Depends: x11
Depends: readline-shlibs (>= 4.3-5) but it is not going to be installed
Depends: fvwm-common (= 2.4.11-1) but it is not going to be installed
Depends: libstroke-shlibs but it is not going to be installed
Depends: gnome-libs but it is not going to be installed
Depends: gtk+-shlibs but it is not going to be installed
Depends: imlib-shlibs but it is not going to be installed
xfree86-rootless: Depends: xfree86-base (= 4.2.1.1-3) but it is not going to be installed
E: Unmet dependencies. Try 'apt-get -f install' with no packages (or specify a solution).
----------------------------
what is it about?
thank you

gilfortes,

run:

'sudo apt-get -f install'

and post the outcame.

Cheers...

Sao.
here is the outcome:
-------------------------------
[Cristal:~] gil% sudo apt-get -f install
Password:
Reading Package Lists... Done
Building Dependency Tree... Done
Correcting dependencies... Done
The following extra packages will be installed:
xfree86-base
The following NEW packages will be installed:
xfree86-base
0 packages upgraded, 1 newly installed, 0 to remove and 0 not upgraded.
5 packages not fully installed or removed.
Need to get 0B/42.5MB of archives. After unpacking 0B will be used.
Do you want to continue? [Y/n]
-----------------------------
Looks like I need the xfree86-base; shal I say yes to continue?
gilfortes

Gilfortes,

Yes.

And, you do need xfree86-base.

If everything went ok, when finished, type rehash or close/open the terminal.app and try again:

'sudo apt-get install fvwm2'

Cheers...

Sao.
when I press Yes got this:
-----------
Do you want to continue? [Y/n] y
(Reading database ... 4686 files and directories currently installed.)
Unpacking xfree86-base (from .../xfree86-base_4.2.1.1-3_darwin-powerpc.deb) ...

You have an existing X11 installation in /usr/X11R6 and /etc/X11.
This package refuses to overwrite these. Remove them, then tell Fink to
install xfree86-base again. (The package won't be recompiled.) If you want
to keep your X11 installation, install system-xfree86 resp. system-xtools
instead to make this known to Fink's package system.

Press Return to continue.
------------------------------------
what is your advice?
Thank you

Gilfortes,

Press return.

What a mess...

Please, give me again the following info:

'sw_vers'

'fink -V'

'fink list -i --section=x11-system'

So, you did have a previous Fink installation, which you deleted. Did you had also a previous XFree86 installation? And if you did, did you also delete that, before installing xfree86 with sudo apt-get install?

It would have been much faster to install from source and unstable as I recommended you above, but you never answered my question if you had the Dev Tools and the update installed...


Cheers...

Sao:

sorry for all the troubles; here is what i got when pressed return:
-------
Press Return to continue.

dpkg: error processing /sw/var/cache/apt/archives/xfree86-base_4.2.1.1-3_darwin-powerpc.deb (--unpack):
subprocess pre-installation script returned error exit status 1
Errors were encountered while processing:
/sw/var/cache/apt/archives/xfree86-base_4.2.1.1-3_darwin-powerpc.deb
E: Sub-process /sw/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1)
[Cristal:~] gil%
------------

[Cristal:~] gil% sw_vers
ProductName: Mac OS X
ProductVersion: 10.2.2
BuildVersion: 6F21
---------

[Cristal:~] gil% fink -V
Package manager version: 0.11.1
Distribution version: 0.5.0a
---------

Cristal:~] gil% fink list -i --section=x11-system
Information about 769 packages read in 1 seconds.

----------
answering all your previous questions:
yes, I did you also delete xfree86, before installing xfree86 with "sudo apt-get install xfree86-rootless"
I also have the Dev tools and the update installed.

gilfortes

gilfortes,

Very weird, it doesn't show any installation of xfree86-rootless:
This is what I get with the same command:
What comes out when you run: 'sudo apt-get install xfree86-base'...


Cheers...

Sao.
here is what I get:

-------------
Cristal:~] gil% sudo apt-get install xfree86-base
Password:
Reading Package Lists... Done
Building Dependency Tree... Done
The following NEW packages will be installed:
xfree86-base
0 packages upgraded, 1 newly installed, 0 to remove and 0 not upgraded.
5 packages not fully installed or removed.
Need to get 0B/42.5MB of archives. After unpacking 0B will be used.
(Reading database ... 4686 files and directories currently installed.)
Unpacking xfree86-base (from .../xfree86-base_4.2.1.1-3_darwin-powerpc.deb) ...

You have an existing X11 installation in /usr/X11R6 and /etc/X11.
This package refuses to overwrite these. Remove them, then tell Fink to
install xfree86-base again. (The package won't be recompiled.) If you want
to keep your X11 installation, install system-xfree86 resp. system-xtools
instead to make this known to Fink's package system.

Press Return to continue.

dpkg: error processing /sw/var/cache/apt/archives/xfree86-base_4.2.1.1-3_darwin-powerpc.deb (--unpack):
subprocess pre-installation script returned error exit status 1
Errors were encountered while processing:
/sw/var/cache/apt/archives/xfree86-base_4.2.1.1-3_darwin-powerpc.deb
E: Sub-process /sw/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1)
[Cristal:~] gil%
-------------------

Do you think I should delete everything (fink and xfree86) and start again from scratch?

I must go now; get back to this on monday.
Thanks once again for all your patience.
gil fortes

gilfortes,

To start from scratch would be a good idea. We can do it together on monday.


Cheers...

start again
 

Sao:

Would like to start again:

was thinking to do the following:
1- sudo rm -rf /sw (to delete Fink)
2- sudo rm -rf /usr/X11R6 /etc/X11 /Applications/XDarwin.app (to delete Xfree86)

3- install Fink 0.5.0.a

4- sudo apt-get install xfree86-rootless

Please let me know if this is the correct thing to do, or do you have a better idea.
Thankx
gilfortes

gilfortes,

Please, do:

1, 2, and 3

Then, in terminal.app write in your ~/.cshrc file:

source /sw/bin/init.csh

Then, run :

'fink scanpackages'

and

'sudo apt-get update'

If everything went ok, then run:

'sudo apt-get install xfree86-base'

'sudo apt-get install xfree86-rootless'

When finished, come back here and we will continue.


Cheers...

Sao:
it seems that everything went well; here is the outcome of some commands:


-----------
[Cristal:~] gil% startx -- -rootless

2002-12-16 13:06:37.489 XDarwin[689]
XDarwin 1.1.1.1
Running rootless inside Mac OS X window server.

This is a pre-release version of XFree86, and is not supported in any
way. Bugs may be reported to XFree86@XFree86.Org and patches submitted
to fixes@XFree86.Org. Before reporting bugs in pre-release versions,
please check the latest version in the XFree86 CVS repository
(http://www.XFree86.Org/cvs)

XFree86 Version 4.2.1.1 / X Window System
(protocol Version 11, revision 0, vendor release 6600)
Release Date: 18 October 2002
If the server is older than 6-12 months, or if your hardware is
newer than the above date, look for a newer version before
reporting problems. (See http://www.XFree86.Org/FAQ)
Operating System: Darwin
Using keymapping provided in /System/Library/Keyboards/USA.keymapping.
Display mode: Rootless Quartz
Screen 0 added: 1024x747 @ (0,21)
Screen 0 placed at X11 coordinate (0,0).
cat: /Users/gil/.Xauthority: No such file or directory
xterm: fatal IO error 32 (Broken pipe) or KillClient on X server ":0.0"
xinit: connection to X server lost.

waiting for X server to shut down xterm: fatal IO error 32 (Broken pipe) or KillClient on X server ":0.0"
Quitting XDarwin...
.......

[Cristal:~] gil% fink -V
Package manager version: 0.11.1
Distribution version: 0.5.0a
[Cristal:~] gil% gcc -v
Reading specs from /usr/libexec/gcc/darwin/ppc/3.1/specs
Thread model: posix
Apple Computer, Inc. GCC version 1161, based on gcc version 3.1 20020420 (prerelease)


[Cristal:~] gil% fink list -i --section=x11-system
Information about 769 packages read in 1 seconds.

i xfree86-base 4.2.1.1-3 XFree86 libraries, utilities, clients and...
i xfree86-base-sh 4.2.1.1-3 XFree86 libraries, utilities, clients and...
i xfree86-rootles 4.2.1.1-3 XFree86 libraries, utilities, clients and...
i xfree86-rootles 4.2.1.1-3 XFree86 libraries, utilities, clients and...
-------------------
what to do next? Install fvwm2 with "sudo apt-get install fvwm2"?

Thank you
gilfortes

gilfortes,

Of course it will not work, you haven't installed a windowmanager yet.

Well, everything looks ok, let's continue.

Do me a favor, as blackbox-rootless is quite small, for the purpose of testing, just install for now:

'sudo apt-get install blackbox-rootless'

Then write a ~/.xinitrc file in your home directory with *only* these two lines:
*after* you have made this, start XDarwin from terminal.app with:

startx -- -fullscreen

and let me know.


Cheers...

PS: Remember, to get out from the XFree86 desktop to OS X desktop, press Command-option+A (default). Then, you can quit from the XDarwin.app. menu.

Sao:
here is the outcome:
--------------------------------------------
[Cristal:~] gil% startx -- -fullscreen

2002-12-16 13:34:42.579 XDarwin[786]
XDarwin 1.1.1.1
Running full screen in parallel with Mac OS X Quartz window server.

This is a pre-release version of XFree86, and is not supported in any
way. Bugs may be reported to XFree86@XFree86.Org and patches submitted
to fixes@XFree86.Org. Before reporting bugs in pre-release versions,
please check the latest version in the XFree86 CVS repository
(http://www.XFree86.Org/cvs)

XFree86 Version 4.2.1.1 / X Window System
(protocol Version 11, revision 0, vendor release 6600)
Release Date: 18 October 2002
If the server is older than 6-12 months, or if your hardware is
newer than the above date, look for a newer version before
reporting problems. (See http://www.XFree86.Org/FAQ)
Operating System: Darwin
Using keymapping provided in /System/Library/Keyboards/USA.keymapping.
_XSERVTransmkdir: Owner of /tmp/.X11-unix should be set to root
Display mode: Full screen Quartz
Screen 0 added: 1024x768 @ (0,0)
cat: /Users/gil/.Xauthority: No such file or directory
failed to set locale, reverting to "C"
BScreen::BScreen: managing screen 0 using visual 0x22, depth 24
failed to set locale, reverting to "C"
Quitting XDarwin...
X connection to :0.0 broken (explicit kill or server shutdown).
xinit: connection to X server lost.

waiting for X server to shut down

[Cristal:~] gil%

-----------------
some problems found.

gilfortes

gilfortes,

So seems it worked well. When you start again XDarwin, you can option-click on the desktop in XFree86 and a menu will appear. From there, you can open an xterm, etc.etc...

What problems did you found?


Cheers...

Sao:

I thought I had problems, because could not get xterm working for example; did not know about "option-click" to get the menu.
Now, shall I install fvwm2? I heard is a good WM.
How to do it?
thank you very much.
gilfortes

gilfortes,

Great !

To install fvwm2:

'sudo apt-get install fvwm2'

Then, write in your ~/.xinitrc file:
After that, try to start by double clicking the XDarwin.app in the Applications folder, and choose fullscreen-mode. Just to try other way to start up.

Let me know.


Cheers...

PS: I know about configuring blackbox-rootless a bit, so if you need any help for it, let me know.

Sao:

meanwhile am installing fvwm2; is it possible to use blackbox in rootless mode; tried to start in rootless mode by double clicking the XDarwin.app and nothing happens;
sorry about another silly question, but to configure my ~/.xinitrc file for fvwm2, must delete first the previous configuration for blackbox, or is there a way to keep both?
thankx
gil fortes

gilfortes,

Did you installed blackbox-rootless, or just blackbox?

If you installed blackbox-rootless it should work in rootless.

Before you start, move the dock to the right or left in the OS X Desktop. Then, double-click the XDarwin.app, it should appear a window where you can choose the mode, choose rootless. And wait a bit. It takes a moment to start. You should be able to see the thin menu bar from blackbox. If you click over the time clock on that bar, it will appear the app.menu.

You can write your ~/.xinitrc file like this:
Just comment (#) the one you don't want to use at the moment.


Cheers...

Sao:
I am very pleased with all the patience you had with me; blackbox is working well in rootless mode; just because the dock is full, could not see the menu bar from blackbox.
fvwm2 is working well in fullscreen mode (can get the menu by clicking anywhere on the screen) but in rootless mode I can see the bar with a time clock and amail box and a couple of other stuff, but can not get a menu to start for example xterm. what shall I do?
I appreciate if you could help me in some configuration of these window managers.
Thank you once again, you have done all the hard work for me; am very pleased.
gil fortes.

gilfortes,

No problem to pass you tips for blackbox, fvwm2 I have it installed but I would have to study the configuration as I don't use it.

Don't have much time right now, but will try it soon.

About blackbox, copy the menu file from /sw/share/Blackbox/menu to ~/.blackbox at your home directory and then open the menu file with pico and you can configure it as you want.

Check this thread here:

http://forums.macosxhints.com/showth...=blackbox+menu

Of course you need still to install with Fink the applications you would want.

Download some blackbox themes from:

http://themes.freshmeat.net/browse/920/?topic_id=920

and cp them to /sw/share/Blackbox/styles/


Cheers...

Sao:
do not have a ~/.blackbox; the only blackbox file I got in my home directory is .blackboxrc; do I have to create ~/.blackbox with pico?

pico .blackboxrc gives me this:
--------------------
session.screen0.slit.placement: CenterRight
session.screen0.slit.direction: Vertical
session.screen0.slit.onTop: False
session.screen0.slit.autoHide: False
session.screen0.toolbar.onTop: False
session.screen0.toolbar.autoHide: False
session.screen0.toolbar.placement: BottomCenter
session.screen0.toolbar.widthPercent: 66
session.screen0.edgeSnapThreshold: 0
session.screen0.focusLastWindow: False
session.screen0.workspaceNames: Workspace 1
session.screen0.rowPlacementDirection: LeftToRight
session.screen0.windowPlacement: RowSmartPlacement
session.screen0.workspaces: 1
session.screen0.focusModel: SloppyFocus
session.screen0.focusNewWindows: False
session.screen0.strftimeFormat: %I:%M %p
session.screen0.colPlacementDirection: TopToBottom
session.screen0.fullMaximization: False
session.opaqueMove: False
session.cacheMax: 200
session.colorsPerChannel: 4
session.autoRaiseDelay: 400
session.menuFile: /sw/share/blackbox/menu
session.cacheLife: 5
session.doubleClickInterval: 250
session.imageDither: True
------------------------------------
sorry about my ignorance, but .blackbox is a directory or a file?

gil fortes

gilfortes,

Create a ~/.blackbox folder in your home directory. And cp to that folder the menu file from /sw/share/Blackbox/menu

Cheers...

gilfortes,

You can create an ~/.Xdefaults file (not a folder) with pico and paste the following in it:
Later you can change as you want.

Then, write your ~/.xinitrc file like this:
After start XDarwin, and an xterm in color will appear.


Cheers...

Sao:

just confirm if am doing it well (about the blackbox):
1- in my home directory: mkdir .blackbox
2- cd /sw/share/Blackbox
3-cp menu menu ~/.blackbox
4- pico menu (to configure)

thank you
gil fortes

gilfortes,

1-ok
2-ok
3-cp menu /Users/gil/.blackbox
4-cd
5-cd .blackbox
6-pico menu (to configure)


Cheers...

First of all "UNSTABLE" is just a means of classification. Although many things are truly unstable in the semantic sense of the word, WindowMaker is not one of them. I recommend using Fink to install Wmaker into the /sw directory, or when you installed Fink, you were asked the following question: "in what other driectory should Fink look for tarballs" ... Now if you chose one, you could have Fink install the Generic tarball that you downloaded, but this is not necessarily recommended because all dependencies may not be met. Just download the "unstable" From Fink cvs and you will be surprised at how much better WindowMaker runs than the bloated and extra-sloatish KDE and the perenially GLITCHY Gnome. Before you do that, you may even download the necessary libraries in binary if you wish..., but I believe Fink will include the necessary ones via a "fink install windowmaker. BTW, I started with a non Fink "/usr/local" generic install of Windowmaker, but I had dependency probs until I found the necessary libraries. Since Fink 0.5.0a cane out, I decided to go with the Fink install of WM. To delete the older Windowmaker, you can do a search of all the WM files and folders and simply trash them, or use OSXPM to "officially" delete it. In any case, The so-called "unstable" Wmaker works better than most of the "stable" stuff, especially KDE........

Sao:
I got that nice xterm in color; but when in rootless mode how can I have access to a fvwm2 menu?
In fullscreen mode if I mouse-click anywhere on the screen a menu comes up, but in rootless mode that does not happen.

gilfortes

Thank you Glanz for your useful opinion.
At the moment am with blackbox and fvwm2, but will have a go at windowmaker some time.
gilfortes

Pymol installation
 

Sao:

I have been installing a couple of applications (e.g. Gimp, xfig), before I test the menu configuration for blackbox.
Now was trying to install Pymol with "sudo apt-get install pymol", but got the following:

------
[Cristal:~] gil% sudo apt-get install pymol
Password:
Reading Package Lists... Done
Building Dependency Tree... Done
Some packages could not be installed. This may mean that you have
requested an impossible situation or if you are using the unstable
distribution that some required packages have not yet been created
or been moved out of Incoming.

Since you only requested a single operation it is extremely likely that
the package is simply not installable and a bug report against
that package should be filed.
The following information may help to resolve the situation:

Sorry, but the following packages have unmet dependencies:
pymol: Depends: povray but it is not installable
E: Sorry, broken packages
[Cristal:~] gil%
------------------------
Do you have any clue about this?
Thankx
gilfortes

gilfortes,

Well, the message is clear:
You could try to install povray now to see if it works:

'sudo apt-get install povray'


Cheers...

Sao:
here is the outcome:
--------------------------------------
[Cristal:~] gil% apt-cache depends pymol
pymol
Depends: libpng-shlibs
Depends: numeric
numeric-atlas
Depends: tcltk
Depends: <povray>
Depends: pmw
Depends: python
Depends: glut-shlibs
[Cristal:~] gil% sudo apt-get install povray
Reading Package Lists... Done
Building Dependency Tree... Done
Package povray has no available version, but exists in the database.
This typically means that the package was mentioned in a dependency and
never uploaded, has been obsoleted or is not available with the contents
of sources.list
E: Package povray has no installation candidate
[Cristal:~] gil%
-------------------------------

If i run fink list, can see povray there:
povray 3.50b-1 The Persistence of Vision Ray Tracer
is this a beta version? what shall I do?
Cheers

gilfortes,

Both packages are in stable, why don't you try to install them from source with:

'fink install pymol'

Also, you can check all available packages at the following link, and when you select one, you can check if there is a version in Fink-.0.5.0a---stable.

http://fink.sourceforge.net/pdb/list.php


Cheers...

gilfortes,

I just learned that the problem with povray is that although it is in stable..."due to license restrictions there is no binary available for it".

You have to install it from source, same as I advice you to do with the pymol package above:

'fink install povray'


Cheers...

Sao:

was able to install some applications, including pymol and povray; had some problems during installation, but was able to solve it.
Now am going to do some configuration on the Windowmanagers.
You said i could get some blackbox themes and cp them to /sw/share/Blackbox/styles/; probably is a silly question, but what shall I copy, the compressed files in tar.gz format, or the expanded files? It should be the expanded files, is that correct?

Thank you
gilfortes

Yes, that's correct.

Cheers...

gilfortes,

In the ~/.blackbox folder at your home directory, make a folder named backgrounds, like this:

~/.blackbox/backgrounds

and cp to that directory any extra background picture that comes with the themes or others you like.

Also, if you want to use a certain theme, but with a different background than the official one that came with the theme, open and edit with pico the theme 'style' file and where it says:
change and write the new background name path you want to use.

Other bb themes here:

http://lonelymachines.org/blackbox.html


Cheers...

Sao:
just copied some styles; what about the backgrounds; where shall i copy them to?
tried to copy them to the same place as copied the styles, but does not work.
Thankx
gilfortes

gilfortes,

Read my post above yours, I anticipated your question...:)


Cheers...

http://largo.windowmaker.org/themes/themepacks.php

Sorry I haven't been back sooner but I've been back and forth with a few of the Fink developers about some dependency probs we are trying to solve. I am testing an awful lot of stuff.

I think you'll just love WindowMaker... once you see how fast and easy it is. If you have any problems with png background images contained in a particular theme, just convert them to jpeg with a "jpg" extension via iPhoto using the "export" command to the same place to replace the png with the jpg by overwriting. Or even "XV"... will do in a pinch. If you have any trouble with background image size, you may change that too with those applications.


#########
Oh well!!! I just realized you were referring to BB themes! I guess I have WM on my mind...... sort of a "blinded by the light" syndrome. Pardon! In any case, that link is good for WM.

:D Don't worry Glanz, each one has his own favorite. My trip is to collect and test all window managers, check this out:
Plus I have up-to-date full KDE and Gnome environments.

Windomaker is rock solid, and very stable, and when I test things is the one I use and trust. I don't use it in xfree86-rootless mode.

For that, I prefer blackbox, it gives me more 'free' real state at the desktop. Really, more than blackbox I prefer 'fluxbox' but it can't be used in rootless. 'Pwm' and 'Ion' are very interesting too. And if your trip is not using the mouse at all, then 'ratpoison' is the one for you.


Cheers...

PS: Did you solved the installation of windomaker with KDE?

Yes the WM/KDE trip has been solved, also the Xfce prob I had. Seems that openjade must be compiled before the docbook-bundle, and the gtk-doc stuff. For development on Linux, I have always used Xfce because of its ability to call up both Gnome specific and KDE specific apps, and for the ease at which one may change the menus, much like WM, but even easier. So I use Windowmaker for my trippin' around and Xfce to call up numerous shells and numerous development apps, compilers etc. I like Ruby....... because of my math work [my job].....

Your list is impressive! I too have tested Window Managers on other platforms and systems.... been doing it for many many many long years:), mainly for myself, and as a writer for extremetech where I have published quite a few Linux articles.
Frankly, I prefer Fink to any Linux install I have had, with the possible exceptions of Debian and Gentoo.

I will get back later on a new thread on replacing KWM with the WM engine.

Sao:

probably another silly question, but do not know how to solve it;
did edit with pico the theme `style`file and changed and wrote the background name path; but when trying to save the changes (Ctrl O, return, Ctrl X) can not do it. Pico does not acceppt this sequence of commands ( it usually does).
Any idea?
thank you
gilfortes

gilfortes,

To open the file in /sw/share/Blackbox/styles, use 'sudo pico filename' and it will let you save the file when you close pico.

Cheers...

A note on Wmaker/Xfce symbiosis
 

Sao.... I am sure you'll like this!:)

Just an interesting fact: as I have stated, I like to use both Windowmaker and Xfce, simultaneously at the same time. Now this may be done by simply entering Xfce as an application in the Windowmaker menu system rather than placing the command "xfce" in the "exit" submenu" under the "start windowmanager" classification. In other words, the user may use the Xfce menu bar AND the Windowmaker menu system plus the Windowmaker docked icons all at the same time without loss of speed or efficiency.

note: to enter a terminal-dependant app in the Xfce meny system, one simply enters "Term" before the app name, such as "Term pine".... to launch pine. Nothing is faster than Xfce for launches and for instant configuration. But one must create a "~/.xfce3rc file in "~/" before the user can configure Xfce.

So, in effect, I am running Xfce with the Windowmaker engine so to speak.

For anyone who has Gnome installed, they may launch Wmaker, then Xfce, then the Gnome menu bar and have all three menus if you wish.

Once the "KWM" engine is disabled in KDE, you may have all four menu systems on the desktop without loss of speed. KDE after all is just a block of applications without KWM. hehehe... This is getting to be fun:):):):D

Sao:
have been trying to do some configuration; was able to pu the new styles and backgrounds in the right places; but when start Xdarwin, can have access to the new styles through blackbox, but the background does not show up; must be missing something.
here is what I pico changed in the "mryan" style file:

rootCommand: wmsetbg --scale ~/.blackbox/Backgrounds/portiaderossi.jpg

gilfortes

gilfortes,

Try:
Cheers...

Sao:
that is what I´ve tried, or is there any difference that I can not see?
Thank you
gilfortes

gilfortes,

You wrote Backgrounds, I wrote backgrounds. :)

Cheers...

I am sorry Sao; still does not work.
gilfortes

gilfortes,

So, you cp the portiaderossi.jpg to ~/.blackbox/backgrounds

And cp the mryan 'style' to /sw/share/Blackbox/styles.

Then you edited with pico the mryan 'style' file to:
And still doesn't work? I don't know what's wrong with your settings. I just downloaded a theme named 'MegRyan' and did the same as above and works well with a new background.

Cheers...

Sao:
am going to check everything again, to make sure I have not done something wrong; just confirmed that when copied the menu file to ~/.blackbox forgot to edit and configure it; anyway this menu file is an example file, which has already some configuration; so this should not be the problem. Am i right ?
gilfortes

gilfortes,

Shouldn't be a problem.

Cheers...

Will try that as soon as I have a bit of time. Sounds very interesting.

Cheers...

Yes it is! Xfce normally uses the very small and very fast XFWM window manager..... So in effect, using WindowMaker AND Xfce simultaneously, is really using two engines, both of which together have a very small signature. The CPU monitor hardly reacts at all. Now when you activate the Gnome Panel via the "gnome-panel" command in Wmaker or the built Gnome Panel icon in Xfce also, this of course doesn't stare Sawfish also. It just gives access to all the Gnome apps via the Gnome panel.

The advantage of the Xfce panel is that you can drag it over the edge of the screen and just drag it back onto the screen when you need it.. Of course you can make the active (browser) screen an "on top" affair also, but that requires extra manipulation. In any case, Xfce is super fast. I have all my development apps in its menu system. In fact, I have all KDE, Gnome, X11, and OS X apps in my Wmaker menu system also.

Another advantage of BOTH Wmaker and Xfce is that they "re-path" the access to the apps automatically and rewrite them if the user makes a slower or less efficient path choice. Normally, all the user has to do in Xfce is to "name" the app to add it, with the exception of adding the term "Term" before terminal-dependant apps like Pine, Joe, Vim, Vi, etc....

A further note on Windowmaker/Xfce symbiosis::
One may also add a simple "wmaker" command to the Xfce menu system to launch Wmaker from Xfce instead of Xfce from Wmaker. This is even faster. Running Xfce all alone has often an annoying lack of window widgets in certain applications, such as the WWW browsers, making them totally useless because the upper window bar remains totally unresponsive to mouse actions and there are no resizing widgets up there. Running the two managers together solves this problem. XFwm and Wmaker seem to have been made for each other.

Blackbox Configuration styles is working
 

Sao:

this is just to let you know that after upgrading to Fink 0.5.1, the blackbox configuration problem is solved, it should have been some kind of incompatibility.
Now I can close this thread.
Thank you for all the help and patience.
gilfortes

Great!