| 1 | <?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?> |
1 | <?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?> |
| 2 | <!DOCTYPE guide SYSTEM "/dtd/guide.dtd"> |
2 | <!DOCTYPE guide SYSTEM "/dtd/guide.dtd"> |
| 3 | <!-- $Header: /var/cvsroot/gentoo/xml/htdocs/doc/en/xfce-config.xml,v 1.16 2008/02/24 08:36:44 nightmorph Exp $ --> |
3 | <!-- $Header: /var/cvsroot/gentoo/xml/htdocs/doc/en/xfce-config.xml,v 1.28 2010/06/13 12:15:07 nightmorph Exp $ --> |
| 4 | |
4 | |
| 5 | <guide link="/doc/en/xfce-config.xml"> |
5 | <guide> |
| 6 | <title>The Xfce Configuration Guide</title> |
6 | <title>The Xfce Configuration Guide</title> |
| 7 | |
7 | |
| 8 | <author title="Author"> |
8 | <author title="Author"> |
| 9 | <mail link="nightmorph@gentoo.org">Joshua Saddler</mail> |
9 | <mail link="nightmorph"/> |
| 10 | </author> |
10 | </author> |
| 11 | |
11 | |
| 12 | <abstract> |
12 | <abstract> |
| 13 | This guide provides an extensive introduction to Xfce, a fast, lightweight, |
13 | This guide provides an extensive introduction to Xfce, a fast, lightweight, |
| 14 | full-featured desktop environment. |
14 | full-featured desktop environment. |
| … | |
… | |
| 16 | |
16 | |
| 17 | <!-- The content of this document is licensed under the CC-BY-SA license --> |
17 | <!-- The content of this document is licensed under the CC-BY-SA license --> |
| 18 | <!-- See http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5 --> |
18 | <!-- See http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5 --> |
| 19 | <license/> |
19 | <license/> |
| 20 | |
20 | |
| 21 | <version>1.12</version> |
21 | <version>1.23</version> |
| 22 | <date>2008-02-24</date> |
22 | <date>2010-06-13</date> |
| 23 | |
23 | |
| 24 | <chapter> |
24 | <chapter> |
| 25 | <title>Introduction</title> |
25 | <title>Introduction</title> |
| 26 | <section> |
26 | <section> |
| 27 | <title>The Xfce desktop environment</title> |
27 | <title>The Xfce desktop environment</title> |
| … | |
… | |
| 33 | and is quite configurable while still adhering to the <uri |
33 | and is quite configurable while still adhering to the <uri |
| 34 | link="http://www.freedesktop.org">Freedesktop</uri> specifications. |
34 | link="http://www.freedesktop.org">Freedesktop</uri> specifications. |
| 35 | </p> |
35 | </p> |
| 36 | |
36 | |
| 37 | <p> |
37 | <p> |
| 38 | Unlike heavier desktop environments, such as Gnome and KDE, Xfce uses far fewer |
38 | Unlike heavier desktop environments, such as <uri |
| 39 | system resources. Additionally, it offers greater modularity and fewer |
39 | link="http://www.gnome.org">Gnome</uri> and <uri |
| 40 | dependencies; it takes up less space on your hard disk and takes less time to |
40 | link="http://www.kde.org">KDE</uri>, Xfce uses far fewer system resources. |
| 41 | install. |
41 | Additionally, it offers greater modularity and fewer dependencies; it takes up |
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42 | less space on your hard disk and takes less time to install. |
| 42 | </p> |
43 | </p> |
| 43 | |
44 | |
| 44 | <p> |
45 | <p> |
| 45 | This guide will not only show you how to install and configure a minimal Xfce |
46 | This guide will not only show you how to install and configure a minimal Xfce |
| 46 | environment, but will also explore options to create a full-featured desktop in |
47 | environment, but will also explore options to create a full-featured desktop in |
| … | |
… | |
| 56 | <section> |
57 | <section> |
| 57 | <title>The basics</title> |
58 | <title>The basics</title> |
| 58 | <body> |
59 | <body> |
| 59 | |
60 | |
| 60 | <p> |
61 | <p> |
| 61 | First, make sure you've setup Xorg as shown in the <uri |
62 | First, make sure you've configured Xorg as shown in the <uri |
| 62 | link="/doc/en/xorg-config.xml">X Server Configuration Howto</uri>. |
63 | link="/doc/en/xorg-config.xml">X Server Configuration Howto</uri>. |
| 63 | </p> |
64 | </p> |
| 64 | |
65 | |
| 65 | <p> |
66 | <p> |
| 66 | Next, double-check your USE flags in <path>/etc/make.conf</path>; you'll |
67 | Next, double-check your USE flags in <path>/etc/make.conf</path>; you'll |
| 67 | probably at least want <c>USE="-gnome -kde -qt3 -qt4 X dbus hal startup-notification xscreensaver"</c>. |
68 | probably at least want <c>USE="-gnome -kde -minimal -qt4 branding dbus |
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69 | hal jpeg lock session startup-notification thunar X"</c>. |
| 68 | </p> |
70 | </p> |
| 69 | |
71 | |
| 70 | <p> |
72 | <p> |
| 71 | Now, let's install Xfce. |
73 | Now, let's install Xfce. |
| 72 | </p> |
74 | </p> |
| 73 | |
75 | |
| 74 | <pre caption="Installing Xfce"> |
76 | <pre caption="Installing Xfce"> |
| 75 | # <i>emerge -avt xfce4</i> |
77 | # <i>emerge -avt xfce4-meta</i> |
| 76 | </pre> |
78 | </pre> |
| 77 | |
79 | |
| 78 | <p> |
80 | <p> |
| 79 | Next, add your regular user(s) to the <c>plugdev</c>, <c>cdrom</c>, <c>cdrw</c>, |
81 | Next, add your regular user(s) to the <c>plugdev</c>, <c>cdrom</c>, <c>cdrw</c>, |
| 80 | and <c>usb</c> groups, so that they can take full advantage of <c>hal</c> and be |
82 | and <c>usb</c> groups, so that they can take full advantage of <c>hal</c> and be |
| … | |
… | |
| 120 | </p> |
122 | </p> |
| 121 | |
123 | |
| 122 | <pre caption="Setting Xfce as the default desktop environment"> |
124 | <pre caption="Setting Xfce as the default desktop environment"> |
| 123 | $ <i>echo "exec startxfce4" > ~/.xinitrc</i> |
125 | $ <i>echo "exec startxfce4" > ~/.xinitrc</i> |
| 124 | </pre> |
126 | </pre> |
|
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127 | |
|
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128 | <note> |
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129 | If you have ConsoleKit installed, your <path>~/.xinitrc</path> should instead |
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130 | contain <c>exec ck-launch-session startxfce4</c>. Otherwise, some of your |
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131 | applications may stop working. You'll also need to add consolekit to the |
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132 | default runlevel by running the following command as root: <c>rc-update add |
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133 | consolekit default</c>. |
|
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134 | </note> |
| 125 | |
135 | |
| 126 | <p> |
136 | <p> |
| 127 | Now start your graphical environment by typing <c>startx</c>: |
137 | Now start your graphical environment by typing <c>startx</c>: |
| 128 | </p> |
138 | </p> |
| 129 | |
139 | |
| … | |
… | |
| 208 | in the "Add New Item" menu shown when you right-click on the panel. |
218 | in the "Add New Item" menu shown when you right-click on the panel. |
| 209 | </p> |
219 | </p> |
| 210 | |
220 | |
| 211 | <ul> |
221 | <ul> |
| 212 | <li> |
222 | <li> |
| 213 | <c>xfce4-mount</c> gives you a handy method of mounting devices listed in |
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| 214 | <path>/etc/fstab</path> just by clicking your mouse |
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| 215 | </li> |
|
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| 216 | <li> |
|
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| 217 | <c>xfce4-battery</c> is perfect for laptop users. It displays battery |
223 | <c>xfce4-battery-plugin</c> is perfect for laptop users. It displays battery |
| 218 | percentage, time remaining, power source (AC or battery), fan status, |
224 | percentage, time remaining, power source (AC or battery), fan status, |
| 219 | warnings, and can even be configured to execute commands at certain power |
225 | warnings, and can even be configured to execute commands at certain power |
| 220 | levels. This feature can be used to put the laptop into hibernate mode when |
226 | levels. This feature can be used to put the laptop into hibernate mode when |
| 221 | the battery is almost exhausted. |
227 | the battery is almost exhausted. |
| 222 | </li> |
228 | </li> |
| 223 | <li> |
229 | <li> |
| 224 | <c>verve</c> is a small command line embedded into the panel. It's quicker |
230 | <c>xfce4-verve-plugin</c> is a small command line embedded into the panel. |
| 225 | than opening up another terminal when you want to run a command. |
231 | It's quicker than opening up another terminal when you want to run a |
| 226 | </li> |
232 | command. |
| 227 | <li> |
233 | </li> |
| 228 | <c>xfce4-mixer</c> is a volume control. It works with both ALSA and OSS |
234 | <li> |
| 229 | sound applications. |
235 | <c>xfce4-mount-plugin</c> gives you a handy method of mounting devices |
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236 | listed in <path>/etc/fstab</path> just by clicking your mouse |
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237 | </li> |
|
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238 | <li> |
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239 | <c>xfce4-sensors-plugin</c> lets you monitor your hardware sensors, such as |
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240 | CPU temperature, fan RPM, hard drive temp, motherboard voltage, and more |
| 230 | </li> |
241 | </li> |
| 231 | </ul> |
242 | </ul> |
| 232 | |
243 | |
| 233 | <p> |
244 | <p> |
| 234 | If you can't find what you're looking for in the plugins specifically made for |
245 | If you can't find what you're looking for in the plugins specifically made for |
| 235 | Xfce, try searching through the list of Gnome panel applets! That's right, by |
246 | Xfce, try searching through the list of Gnome panel applets! That's right, by |
| 236 | first emerging <c>xfce4-xfapplet</c>, you can install and run any applet made |
247 | first emerging <c>xfce4-xfapplet-plugin</c>, you can install and run any applet |
| 237 | for Gnome. |
248 | made for Gnome. |
| 238 | </p> |
249 | </p> |
| 239 | |
250 | |
| 240 | </body> |
251 | </body> |
| 241 | </section> |
252 | </section> |
| 242 | <section> |
253 | <section> |
| 243 | <title>Useful programs</title> |
254 | <title>Useful programs</title> |
| 244 | <body> |
255 | <body> |
| 245 | |
256 | |
| 246 | <p> |
257 | <p> |
| 247 | Xfce bundles a few useful applications, including <c>thunar</c>, |
258 | We should now <c>emerge</c> some useful applications and utilities: |
| 248 | <c>terminal</c>, <c>orage</c>, and <c>mousepad</c>. Note that the last three |
259 | <c>xfce4-mixer</c>, <c>xfprint</c>, <c>xfce4-taskmanager</c>, |
| 249 | will not be installed if you built <c>xfce4</c> with the <c>minimal</c> USE |
260 | <c>xfwm4-themes</c>, <c>orage</c>, <c>mousepad</c>, <c>x11-terms/terminal</c>, |
| 250 | flag. However, these are all very small, yet terrific applications, so they're |
261 | and <c>thunar</c>. |
| 251 | well worth installing. |
262 | </p> |
|
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263 | |
|
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264 | <p> |
|
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265 | <c>xfce4-mixer</c> is a volume control for your sound card. It can also be run |
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266 | as a panel applet, giving you fast access to playback volume. <c>xfprint</c> |
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267 | provides easy printer management and job control; it's a must if you intend to |
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268 | do any printing from your desktop. <c>xfce4-taskmanager</c> displays a list of |
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269 | all running programs, and the CPU and memory consumption each one takes up. By |
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270 | right-clicking an item, you can kill a misbehaving application, pause and |
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271 | restart it, or even alter its runtime priority, which lets you fine-tune how |
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272 | much of a demand it puts on your system's resources. |
|
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273 | </p> |
|
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274 | |
|
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275 | <p> |
|
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276 | <c>xfwm4-themes</c> adds several window manager themes. You may want to add a |
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277 | more full-coverage icon theme such as <c>tango-icon-theme</c> just to round out |
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278 | your desktop. |
| 252 | </p> |
279 | </p> |
| 253 | |
280 | |
| 254 | <p> |
281 | <p> |
| 255 | <c>orage</c> is a simple, handy calendar. <c>mousepad</c> is a barebones text |
282 | <c>orage</c> is a simple, handy calendar. <c>mousepad</c> is a barebones text |
| 256 | editor that starts up extremely quickly. <c>terminal</c> is far more |
283 | editor that starts up extremely quickly. <c>x11-terms/terminal</c> is an X11 |
| 257 | configurable and useful than xterm, and supports Unicode text, |
284 | terminal emulator, far more configurable and useful than the barebones |
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285 | <c>xterm</c> supplied with <c>xorg-server</c>. <c>terminal</c> supports Unicode |
| 258 | pseudo-transparency and accelerated transparency via Xfce's built-in |
286 | text, pseudo-transparency and accelerated transparency via Xfce's built-in |
| 259 | compositor, all out-of-the-box. Just make sure that the default action on the |
287 | compositor, all out-of-the-box. Just make sure that the default action on the |
| 260 | terminal launcher of your panel runs <path>/usr/bin/Terminal</path> instead of |
288 | terminal launcher of your panel runs <path>/usr/bin/Terminal</path> instead of |
| 261 | xterm. Right click the launcher and choose "Properties" to change the command. |
289 | xterm. Right click the launcher and choose "Properties" to change the command. |
| 262 | </p> |
290 | </p> |
| 263 | |
291 | |
| 264 | <p> |
292 | <p> |
| 265 | <c>thunar</c> is Xfce's built-in graphical file manager. It's fast yet quite |
293 | <c>thunar</c> is Xfce's default graphical file manager. It's fast yet quite |
| 266 | powerful, can support a few plugins for even more functionality; just install |
294 | powerful, can support several plugins for even more functionality; just install |
| 267 | them with <c>emerge</c>. Let's take a look: |
295 | them with <c>emerge</c>. Let's take a look: |
| 268 | </p> |
296 | </p> |
| 269 | |
297 | |
| 270 | <ul> |
298 | <ul> |
| 271 | <li> |
299 | <li> |
| 272 | <c>thunar-archive</c> lets you create and extract archive files using the |
300 | <c>thunar-archive-plugin</c> lets you create and extract archive files using |
| 273 | right-click menu. It works even better when paired with the new graphical |
301 | the right-click menu. It provides a handy <uri |
| 274 | archiving <uri |
|
|
| 275 | link="http://www.foo-projects.org/~benny/projects/thunar-archive-plugin/">tool</uri> |
302 | link="http://www.foo-projects.org/~benny/projects/thunar-archive-plugin">front-end</uri> |
| 276 | developed for Xfce, <c>xarchiver</c>. |
303 | for graphical archiving applications such as <c>xarchiver</c>, |
| 277 | </li> |
304 | <c>squeeze</c>, and <c>file-roller</c>. |
| 278 | <li> |
305 | </li> |
|
|
306 | <li> |
| 279 | <c>thunar-media-tags</c> lets you intelligently rename multiple media files |
307 | <c>thunar-media-tags-plugin</c> lets you intelligently rename multiple media |
| 280 | at once, and lets you <uri |
308 | files at once, and lets you <uri |
| 281 | link="http://thunar.xfce.org/pwiki/projects/thunar-media-tags-plugin">edit</uri> |
309 | link="http://thunar.xfce.org/pwiki/projects/thunar-media-tags-plugin">edit</uri> |
| 282 | their information tags, such as id3 tags. |
310 | their information tags, such as id3 and ogg tags. |
| 283 | </li> |
311 | </li> |
| 284 | <li> |
312 | <li> |
| 285 | <c>thunar-thumbnailers</c> lets you <uri |
313 | <c>thunar-thumbnailers</c> lets you <uri |
| 286 | link="http://goodies.xfce.org/projects/thunar-plugins/thunar-thumbnailers">preview</uri> |
314 | link="http://goodies.xfce.org/projects/thunar-plugins/thunar-thumbnailers">preview</uri> |
| 287 | certain types of files from within Thunar, such as images and fonts. |
315 | certain types of files from within Thunar, such as images and fonts. |
| … | |
… | |
| 297 | Next, let's see about adding some useful but lightweight desktop applications, |
325 | Next, let's see about adding some useful but lightweight desktop applications, |
| 298 | in keeping with Xfce's philosophy. |
326 | in keeping with Xfce's philosophy. |
| 299 | </p> |
327 | </p> |
| 300 | |
328 | |
| 301 | <p> |
329 | <p> |
| 302 | Though <c>mousepad</c> is nice enough, if you need a full-featured word |
330 | Though <c>mousepad</c> is nice enough as a basic text editor, if you need a |
| 303 | processor but don't want the bloat of OpenOffice, try emerging <c>abiword</c>. |
331 | full-featured word processor but don't want the bloat of OpenOffice, try |
| 304 | <uri link="http://www.abisource.com">AbiWord</uri> is lighter, faster, and is |
332 | emerging <c>abiword</c>. <uri link="http://www.abisource.com">AbiWord</uri> is |
| 305 | completely interoperable with industry-standard document types. |
333 | lighter, faster, and is completely interoperable with industry-standard document |
| 306 | </p> |
334 | types. It can also be further extended with <c>abiword-plugins</c>. |
| 307 | |
|
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| 308 | <pre caption="Adding a word processor"> |
|
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| 309 | # <i>emerge -avt abiword</i> |
|
|
| 310 | </pre> |
335 | </p> |
| 311 | |
336 | |
| 312 | <p> |
337 | <p> |
| 313 | Need a nice email client/newsreader that isn't as demanding as |
338 | Need a nice email client/newsreader that isn't as demanding as |
| 314 | <c>mozilla-thunderbird</c> or <c>evolution</c>? Try emerging <c>claws-mail</c>. |
339 | <c>thunderbird</c> or <c>evolution</c>? Try emerging <c>claws-mail</c>. |
| 315 | </p> |
340 | </p> |
| 316 | |
341 | |
| 317 | <p> |
342 | <p> |
| 318 | For your internet chat needs, <c>irssi</c> is an excellent, tiny, incredibly |
343 | For your internet chat needs, <c>irssi</c> is an excellent, tiny, incredibly |
| 319 | configurable IRC client that runs in your terminal. If you prefer a compact |
344 | configurable IRC client that runs in your terminal. If you prefer a compact |
| … | |
… | |
| 321 | <c>emerge pidgin</c>. |
346 | <c>emerge pidgin</c>. |
| 322 | </p> |
347 | </p> |
| 323 | |
348 | |
| 324 | <p> |
349 | <p> |
| 325 | If you need movie and music players, look no further than <c>mplayer</c> and |
350 | If you need movie and music players, look no further than <c>mplayer</c> and |
|
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351 | <uri link="/proj/en/desktop/sound/decibel.xml">decibel-audio-player</uri>. They |
| 326 | <c>audacious</c>. They can play most every media format available quite nicely, |
352 | can play most every media format available quite nicely. |
| 327 | and have a wealth of additional plugins available for additional functionality. |
|
|
| 328 | </p> |
353 | </p> |
| 329 | |
354 | |
| 330 | <p> |
355 | <p> |
| 331 | Finally, you'll need a webbrowser. Nearly all graphical webbrowsers require more |
356 | Finally, you'll need a webbrowser. Nearly all graphical webbrowsers require more |
| 332 | resources than most of your other desktop applications. Still, |
357 | resources than most of your other desktop applications. Still, |
| … | |
… | |
| 385 | |
410 | |
| 386 | <pre caption="Installing SLiM"> |
411 | <pre caption="Installing SLiM"> |
| 387 | # <i>emerge -avt slim</i> |
412 | # <i>emerge -avt slim</i> |
| 388 | </pre> |
413 | </pre> |
| 389 | |
414 | |
|
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415 | <note> |
|
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416 | The <c>branding</c> USE flag will pull in the <c>slim-themes</c> package, which |
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417 | will give you an assortment of login themes, including a Gentoo Linux theme. |
|
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418 | </note> |
|
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419 | |
| 390 | <p> |
420 | <p> |
| 391 | Then edit the DISPLAYMANAGER variable in <path>/etc/conf.d/xdm</path>: |
421 | Then edit the DISPLAYMANAGER variable in <path>/etc/conf.d/xdm</path>: |
| 392 | </p> |
422 | </p> |
| 393 | |
423 | |
| 394 | <pre caption="Editing /etc/conf.d/xdm"> |
424 | <pre caption="Editing /etc/conf.d/xdm"> |
| 395 | DISPLAYMANAGER="slim" |
425 | DISPLAYMANAGER="slim" |
| 396 | </pre> |
426 | </pre> |
| 397 | |
427 | |
| 398 | <p> |
428 | <p> |
| 399 | SLiM can automatically start your Xfce session if you add |
429 | SLiM can automatically start your Xfce session if you add |
| 400 | <c>XSESSION="Xfce4"</c> to <path>/etc/rc.conf</path>. |
430 | <c>XSESSION="Xfce4"</c> to <path>/etc/env.d/90xsession</path>: |
|
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431 | </p> |
|
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432 | |
|
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433 | <pre caption="Setting XSESSION"> |
|
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434 | # <i>echo XSESSION=\"Xfce4\" > /etc/env.d/90xsession</i> |
|
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435 | # <i>env-update && source /etc/profile</i> |
| 401 | </p> |
436 | </pre> |
| 402 | |
437 | |
| 403 | </body> |
438 | </body> |
| 404 | </section> |
439 | </section> |
| 405 | <section> |
440 | <section> |
| 406 | <title>Beautifying your desktop</title> |
441 | <title>Beautifying your desktop</title> |
| … | |
… | |
| 430 | <p> |
465 | <p> |
| 431 | If you installed SLiM as your display manager, there are lots of themes in the |
466 | If you installed SLiM as your display manager, there are lots of themes in the |
| 432 | <c>slim-themes</c> package available in Portage. Also, be sure to check the SLiM |
467 | <c>slim-themes</c> package available in Portage. Also, be sure to check the SLiM |
| 433 | <uri link="http://slim.berlios.de/themes01.php">themes page</uri> for more |
468 | <uri link="http://slim.berlios.de/themes01.php">themes page</uri> for more |
| 434 | themes. Creating your own SLiM theme is fairly easy; just read the <uri |
469 | themes. Creating your own SLiM theme is fairly easy; just read the <uri |
| 435 | link="http://slim.berlios.de/themes_howto.php">Themes HowTo</uri>. |
470 | link="http://slim.berlios.de/themes_howto.php">Themes HowTo</uri>. Gentoo also |
|
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471 | ships a <c>slim-themes</c> package that you can <c>emerge</c>. |
| 436 | </p> |
472 | </p> |
| 437 | |
473 | |
| 438 | <p> |
474 | <p> |
| 439 | Finally, Xfce has its own built-in compositor to manage window transparency. |
475 | Finally, Xfce has its own built-in compositor to manage window transparency. |
| 440 | This option can be found in Menu --> Settings --> Window Manager. For best |
476 | This option can be found in Menu --> Settings --> Window Manager. For best |
| … | |
… | |
| 457 | <uri link="/doc/en/index.xml?catid=desktop">Desktop Documentation |
493 | <uri link="/doc/en/index.xml?catid=desktop">Desktop Documentation |
| 458 | Resources</uri> list to learn about configuring hardware-accelerated rendering |
494 | Resources</uri> list to learn about configuring hardware-accelerated rendering |
| 459 | for your graphics card. |
495 | for your graphics card. |
| 460 | </p> |
496 | </p> |
| 461 | |
497 | |
|
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498 | <p> |
|
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499 | Once you've finished setting up a beautiful Xfce desktop, the next thing to do |
|
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500 | is take a picture of it to share with other folks! Just install |
|
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501 | <c>xfce4-screenshooter</c> and post your pictures somewhere for all to admire. |
|
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502 | </p> |
|
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503 | |
| 462 | </body> |
504 | </body> |
| 463 | </section> |
505 | </section> |
| 464 | </chapter> |
506 | </chapter> |
| 465 | |
507 | |
| 466 | <chapter> |
508 | <chapter> |
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