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| 2 | <!-- $Header: /var/cvsroot/gentoo/xml/htdocs/doc/en/xfce-config.xml,v 1.11 2007/10/03 19:58:17 nightmorph Exp $ --> |
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| 4 | <!DOCTYPE guide SYSTEM "/dtd/guide.dtd"> |
2 | <!DOCTYPE guide SYSTEM "/dtd/guide.dtd"> |
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3 | <!-- $Header: /var/cvsroot/gentoo/xml/htdocs/doc/en/xfce-config.xml,v 1.31 2010/07/26 01:48:40 nightmorph Exp $ --> |
| 5 | |
4 | |
| 6 | <guide link="/doc/en/xfce-config.xml"> |
5 | <guide> |
| 7 | <title>The Xfce Configuration Guide</title> |
6 | <title>The Xfce Configuration Guide</title> |
| 8 | |
7 | |
| 9 | <author title="Author"> |
8 | <author title="Author"> |
| 10 | <mail link="nightmorph@gentoo.org">Joshua Saddler</mail> |
9 | <mail link="nightmorph"/> |
| 11 | </author> |
10 | </author> |
| 12 | |
11 | |
| 13 | <abstract> |
12 | <abstract> |
| 14 | This guide provides an extensive introduction to Xfce, a fast, lightweight, |
13 | This guide provides an extensive introduction to Xfce, a fast, lightweight, |
| 15 | full-featured desktop environment. |
14 | full-featured desktop environment. |
| … | |
… | |
| 17 | |
16 | |
| 18 | <!-- 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 --> |
| 19 | <!-- See http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5 --> |
18 | <!-- See http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5 --> |
| 20 | <license/> |
19 | <license/> |
| 21 | |
20 | |
| 22 | <version>1.8</version> |
21 | <version>1.26</version> |
| 23 | <date>2007-09-22</date> |
22 | <date>2010-07-25</date> |
| 24 | |
23 | |
| 25 | <chapter> |
24 | <chapter> |
| 26 | <title>Introduction</title> |
25 | <title>Introduction</title> |
| 27 | <section> |
26 | <section> |
| 28 | <title>The Xfce desktop environment</title> |
27 | <title>The Xfce desktop environment</title> |
| … | |
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| 34 | and is quite configurable while still adhering to the <uri |
33 | and is quite configurable while still adhering to the <uri |
| 35 | link="http://www.freedesktop.org">Freedesktop</uri> specifications. |
34 | link="http://www.freedesktop.org">Freedesktop</uri> specifications. |
| 36 | </p> |
35 | </p> |
| 37 | |
36 | |
| 38 | <p> |
37 | <p> |
| 39 | Unlike heavier desktop environments, such as Gnome and KDE, Xfce uses far fewer |
38 | Unlike heavier desktop environments, such as <uri |
| 40 | system resources. Additionally, it offers greater modularity and fewer |
39 | link="http://www.gnome.org">Gnome</uri> and <uri |
| 41 | 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. |
| 42 | 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. |
| 43 | </p> |
43 | </p> |
| 44 | |
44 | |
| 45 | <p> |
45 | <p> |
| 46 | 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 |
| 47 | 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 |
| 48 | keeping with the Xfce philosophy: light, fast, and modular. |
48 | keeping with the Xfce philosophy: light, fast, and modular. |
| 49 | </p> |
49 | </p> |
| 50 | |
50 | |
| 51 | <p> |
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| 52 | Additionally, this guide will show you how to <uri link="#upgrade">upgrade</uri> |
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| 53 | from version 4.2 to 4.4. |
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| 54 | </p> |
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| 55 | |
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| 56 | </body> |
51 | </body> |
| 57 | </section> |
52 | </section> |
| 58 | </chapter> |
53 | </chapter> |
| 59 | |
54 | |
| 60 | <chapter> |
55 | <chapter> |
| … | |
… | |
| 62 | <section> |
57 | <section> |
| 63 | <title>The basics</title> |
58 | <title>The basics</title> |
| 64 | <body> |
59 | <body> |
| 65 | |
60 | |
| 66 | <p> |
61 | <p> |
| 67 | 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 |
| 68 | link="/doc/en/xorg-config.xml">X Server Configuration Howto</uri>. |
63 | link="/doc/en/xorg-config.xml">X Server Configuration Howto</uri>. |
| 69 | </p> |
64 | </p> |
| 70 | |
65 | |
| 71 | <p> |
66 | <p> |
| 72 | Before we install our fully-functional yet minimal desktop, let's take a moment |
67 | Next, double-check your USE flags in <path>/etc/make.conf</path>; you'll |
| 73 | to review the basic packages we'll be emerging. |
68 | probably at least want <c>USE="-gnome -kde -minimal -qt4 branding dbus |
| 74 | </p> |
69 | hal jpeg lock session startup-notification thunar X"</c>. |
| 75 | |
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| 76 | <table> |
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| 77 | <tr> |
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| 78 | <th>Name</th> |
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| 79 | <th>Description</th> |
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| 80 | </tr> |
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| 81 | <tr> |
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| 82 | <ti>xfce4</ti> |
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| 83 | <ti>The base Xfce desktop environment</ti> |
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| 84 | </tr> |
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| 85 | <tr> |
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| 86 | <ti>xscreensaver</ti> |
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| 87 | <ti> |
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| 88 | A screensaver with powersaving features and the ability to lock the screen |
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| 89 | for security |
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| 90 | </ti> |
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| 91 | </tr> |
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| 92 | </table> |
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| 93 | |
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| 94 | <p> |
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| 95 | You're free to install any other packages you wish, but for now, we'll stick |
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| 96 | with these suggestions for a fast, minimal working environment. Double check |
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| 97 | your USE flags in <path>/etc/make.conf</path>; you'll probably at least want |
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| 98 | <c>USE="dbus -gnome hal startup-notification"</c>. |
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| 99 | </p> |
70 | </p> |
| 100 | |
71 | |
| 101 | <p> |
72 | <p> |
| 102 | Now, let's install Xfce. |
73 | Now, let's install Xfce. |
| 103 | </p> |
74 | </p> |
| 104 | |
75 | |
| 105 | <pre caption="Installing Xfce"> |
76 | <pre caption="Installing Xfce"> |
| 106 | # <i>emerge -avt xfce4 xscreensaver</i> |
77 | # <i>emerge -avt xfce4-meta</i> |
| 107 | </pre> |
78 | </pre> |
| 108 | |
79 | |
| 109 | <p> |
80 | <p> |
| 110 | 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>, |
| 111 | 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 |
| … | |
… | |
| 132 | <pre caption="Starting hald"> |
103 | <pre caption="Starting hald"> |
| 133 | # <i>/etc/init.d/hald start</i> |
104 | # <i>/etc/init.d/hald start</i> |
| 134 | # <i>rc-update add hald default</i> |
105 | # <i>rc-update add hald default</i> |
| 135 | </pre> |
106 | </pre> |
| 136 | |
107 | |
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108 | <p> |
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109 | You'll also need a graphical terminal so that you can continue working with your |
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110 | new desktop environment. <c>x11-terms/terminal</c> is a good choice, as it's |
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111 | made specifically for Xfce. Install Terminal as shown: |
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112 | </p> |
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113 | |
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114 | <pre caption="Installing Terminal"> |
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115 | # <i>emerge x11-terms/terminal</i> |
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116 | </pre> |
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117 | |
| 137 | </body> |
118 | </body> |
| 138 | </section> |
119 | </section> |
| 139 | </chapter> |
120 | </chapter> |
| 140 | |
121 | |
| 141 | <chapter> |
122 | <chapter> |
| … | |
… | |
| 151 | </p> |
132 | </p> |
| 152 | |
133 | |
| 153 | <pre caption="Setting Xfce as the default desktop environment"> |
134 | <pre caption="Setting Xfce as the default desktop environment"> |
| 154 | $ <i>echo "exec startxfce4" > ~/.xinitrc</i> |
135 | $ <i>echo "exec startxfce4" > ~/.xinitrc</i> |
| 155 | </pre> |
136 | </pre> |
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137 | |
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138 | <note> |
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139 | If you have ConsoleKit installed, your <path>~/.xinitrc</path> should instead |
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140 | contain <c>exec ck-launch-session startxfce4</c>. Otherwise, some of your |
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141 | applications may stop working. You'll also need to add consolekit to the |
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142 | default runlevel by running the following command as root: <c>rc-update add |
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143 | consolekit default</c>. |
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144 | </note> |
| 156 | |
145 | |
| 157 | <p> |
146 | <p> |
| 158 | Now start your graphical environment by typing <c>startx</c>: |
147 | Now start your graphical environment by typing <c>startx</c>: |
| 159 | </p> |
148 | </p> |
| 160 | |
149 | |
| … | |
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| 239 | in the "Add New Item" menu shown when you right-click on the panel. |
228 | in the "Add New Item" menu shown when you right-click on the panel. |
| 240 | </p> |
229 | </p> |
| 241 | |
230 | |
| 242 | <ul> |
231 | <ul> |
| 243 | <li> |
232 | <li> |
| 244 | <c>xfce4-mount</c> gives you a handy method of mounting devices listed in |
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| 245 | <path>/etc/fstab</path> just by clicking your mouse |
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| 246 | </li> |
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| 247 | <li> |
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| 248 | <c>xfce4-battery</c> is perfect for laptop users. It displays battery |
233 | <c>xfce4-battery-plugin</c> is perfect for laptop users. It displays battery |
| 249 | percentage, time remaining, power source (AC or battery), fan status, |
234 | percentage, time remaining, power source (AC or battery), fan status, |
| 250 | warnings, and can even be configured to execute commands at certain power |
235 | warnings, and can even be configured to execute commands at certain power |
| 251 | levels. This feature can be used to put the laptop into hibernate mode when |
236 | levels. This feature can be used to put the laptop into hibernate mode when |
| 252 | the battery is almost exhausted. |
237 | the battery is almost exhausted. |
| 253 | </li> |
238 | </li> |
| 254 | <li> |
239 | <li> |
| 255 | <c>verve</c> is a small command line embedded into the panel. It's quicker |
240 | <c>xfce4-verve-plugin</c> is a small command line embedded into the panel. |
| 256 | than opening up another terminal when you want to run a command. |
241 | It's quicker than opening up another terminal when you want to run a |
| 257 | </li> |
242 | command. |
| 258 | <li> |
243 | </li> |
| 259 | <c>xfce4-mixer</c> is a volume control. It works with both ALSA and OSS |
244 | <li> |
| 260 | sound applications. |
245 | <c>xfce4-mount-plugin</c> gives you a handy method of mounting devices |
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246 | listed in <path>/etc/fstab</path> just by clicking your mouse |
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247 | </li> |
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248 | <li> |
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249 | <c>xfce4-sensors-plugin</c> lets you monitor your hardware sensors, such as |
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250 | CPU temperature, fan RPM, hard drive temp, motherboard voltage, and more |
| 261 | </li> |
251 | </li> |
| 262 | </ul> |
252 | </ul> |
| 263 | |
253 | |
| 264 | <p> |
254 | <p> |
| 265 | If you can't find what you're looking for in the plugins specifically made for |
255 | If you can't find what you're looking for in the plugins specifically made for |
| 266 | Xfce, try searching through the list of Gnome panel applets! That's right, by |
256 | Xfce, try searching through the list of Gnome panel applets! That's right, by |
| 267 | first emerging <c>xfce4-xfapplet</c>, you can install and run any applet made |
257 | first emerging <c>xfce4-xfapplet-plugin</c>, you can install and run any applet |
| 268 | for Gnome. |
258 | made for Gnome. |
| 269 | </p> |
259 | </p> |
| 270 | |
260 | |
| 271 | </body> |
261 | </body> |
| 272 | </section> |
262 | </section> |
| 273 | <section> |
263 | <section> |
| 274 | <title>Useful programs</title> |
264 | <title>Useful programs</title> |
| 275 | <body> |
265 | <body> |
| 276 | |
266 | |
| 277 | <p> |
267 | <p> |
| 278 | Xfce bundles a few useful applications, including <c>thunar</c>, |
268 | We should now <c>emerge</c> some useful applications and utilities: |
| 279 | <c>terminal</c>, <c>orage</c>, and <c>mousepad</c>. Note that the last three |
269 | <c>xfce4-mixer</c>, <c>xfprint</c>, <c>xfce4-taskmanager</c>, |
| 280 | will not be installed if you built <c>xfce4</c> with the <c>minimal</c> USE |
270 | <c>xfwm4-themes</c>, <c>orage</c>, <c>mousepad</c>, <c>x11-terms/terminal</c>, |
| 281 | flag. However, these are all very small, yet terrific applications, so they're |
271 | and <c>thunar</c>. |
| 282 | well worth installing. |
272 | </p> |
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273 | |
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274 | <p> |
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275 | <c>xfce4-mixer</c> is a volume control for your sound card. It can also be run |
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276 | as a panel applet, giving you fast access to playback volume. <c>xfprint</c> |
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277 | provides easy printer management and job control; it's a must if you intend to |
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278 | do any printing from your desktop. <c>xfce4-taskmanager</c> displays a list of |
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279 | all running programs, and the CPU and memory consumption each one takes up. By |
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280 | right-clicking an item, you can kill a misbehaving application, pause and |
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281 | restart it, or even alter its runtime priority, which lets you fine-tune how |
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282 | much of a demand it puts on your system's resources. |
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283 | </p> |
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284 | |
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285 | <p> |
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286 | <c>xfwm4-themes</c> adds several window manager themes. You may want to add a |
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287 | more full-coverage icon theme such as <c>tango-icon-theme</c> just to round out |
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288 | your desktop. |
| 283 | </p> |
289 | </p> |
| 284 | |
290 | |
| 285 | <p> |
291 | <p> |
| 286 | <c>orage</c> is a simple, handy calendar. <c>mousepad</c> is a barebones text |
292 | <c>orage</c> is a simple, handy calendar. <c>mousepad</c> is a barebones text |
| 287 | editor that starts up extremely quickly. <c>terminal</c> is far more |
293 | editor that starts up extremely quickly. <c>x11-terms/terminal</c> is an X11 |
| 288 | configurable and useful than xterm, and supports Unicode text, |
294 | terminal emulator, far more configurable and useful than the barebones |
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295 | <c>xterm</c>. <c>terminal</c> supports Unicode text, color schemes, |
| 289 | pseudo-transparency and accelerated transparency via Xfce's built-in |
296 | pseudo-transparency and hardware-accelerated transparency via Xfce's built-in |
| 290 | compositor, all out-of-the-box. Just make sure that the default action on the |
297 | compositor, all out-of-the-box. Just make sure that the default action on the |
| 291 | terminal launcher of your panel runs <path>/usr/bin/Terminal</path> instead of |
298 | terminal launcher of your panel runs <path>/usr/bin/Terminal</path> instead of |
| 292 | xterm. Right click the launcher and choose "Properties" to change the command. |
299 | <path>xterm</path>. Right-click the launcher and choose "Properties" to change |
| 293 | </p> |
300 | the command. |
| 294 | |
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| 295 | <p> |
301 | </p> |
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302 | |
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303 | <p> |
| 296 | <c>thunar</c> is Xfce's built-in graphical file manager. It's fast yet quite |
304 | <c>thunar</c> is Xfce's default graphical file manager. It's fast yet quite |
| 297 | powerful, can support a few plugins for even more functionality; just install |
305 | powerful, can support several plugins for even more functionality; just install |
| 298 | them with <c>emerge</c>. Let's take a look: |
306 | them with <c>emerge</c>. Let's take a look: |
| 299 | </p> |
307 | </p> |
| 300 | |
308 | |
| 301 | <ul> |
309 | <ul> |
| 302 | <li> |
310 | <li> |
| 303 | <c>thunar-archive</c> lets you create and extract archive files using the |
311 | <c>thunar-archive-plugin</c> lets you create and extract archive files using |
| 304 | right-click menu. It works even better when paired with the new graphical |
312 | the right-click menu. It provides a handy <uri |
| 305 | archiving <uri |
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| 306 | link="http://www.foo-projects.org/~benny/projects/thunar-archive-plugin/">tool</uri> |
313 | link="http://www.foo-projects.org/~benny/projects/thunar-archive-plugin">front-end</uri> |
| 307 | developed for Xfce, <c>xarchiver</c>. |
314 | for graphical archiving applications such as <c>xarchiver</c>, |
| 308 | </li> |
315 | <c>squeeze</c>, and <c>file-roller</c>. |
| 309 | <li> |
316 | </li> |
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317 | <li> |
| 310 | <c>thunar-media-tags</c> lets you intelligently rename multiple media files |
318 | <c>thunar-media-tags-plugin</c> lets you intelligently rename multiple media |
| 311 | at once, and lets you <uri |
319 | files at once, and lets you <uri |
| 312 | link="http://thunar.xfce.org/pwiki/projects/thunar-media-tags-plugin">edit</uri> |
320 | link="http://thunar.xfce.org/pwiki/projects/thunar-media-tags-plugin">edit</uri> |
| 313 | their information tags, such as id3 tags. |
321 | their information tags, such as id3 and ogg tags. |
| 314 | </li> |
322 | </li> |
| 315 | <li> |
323 | <li> |
| 316 | <c>thunar-thumbnailers</c> lets you <uri |
324 | <c>thunar-thumbnailers</c> lets you <uri |
| 317 | link="http://goodies.xfce.org/projects/thunar-plugins/thunar-thumbnailers">preview</uri> |
325 | link="http://goodies.xfce.org/projects/thunar-plugins/thunar-thumbnailers">preview</uri> |
| 318 | certain types of files from within Thunar, such as images and fonts. |
326 | certain types of files from within Thunar, such as images and fonts. |
| … | |
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| 328 | Next, let's see about adding some useful but lightweight desktop applications, |
336 | Next, let's see about adding some useful but lightweight desktop applications, |
| 329 | in keeping with Xfce's philosophy. |
337 | in keeping with Xfce's philosophy. |
| 330 | </p> |
338 | </p> |
| 331 | |
339 | |
| 332 | <p> |
340 | <p> |
| 333 | Though <c>mousepad</c> is nice enough, if you need a full-featured word |
341 | Though <c>mousepad</c> is nice enough as a basic text editor, if you need a |
| 334 | processor but don't want the bloat of OpenOffice, try emerging <c>abiword</c>. |
342 | full-featured word processor but don't want the bloat of OpenOffice, try |
| 335 | <uri link="http://www.abisource.com">AbiWord</uri> is lighter, faster, and is |
343 | emerging <c>abiword</c>. <uri link="http://www.abisource.com">AbiWord</uri> is |
| 336 | completely interoperable with industry-standard document types. |
344 | lighter, faster, and is completely interoperable with industry-standard document |
| 337 | </p> |
345 | types. It can also be further extended with <c>abiword-plugins</c>. |
| 338 | |
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| 339 | <pre caption="Adding a word processor"> |
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| 340 | # <i>emerge -avt abiword</i> |
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| 341 | </pre> |
346 | </p> |
| 342 | |
347 | |
| 343 | <p> |
348 | <p> |
| 344 | Need a nice email client/newsreader that isn't as demanding as |
349 | Need a nice email client/newsreader that isn't as demanding as |
| 345 | <c>mozilla-thunderbird</c> or <c>evolution</c>? Try emerging <c>claws-mail</c>. |
350 | <c>thunderbird</c> or <c>evolution</c>? Try emerging <c>claws-mail</c>. |
| 346 | </p> |
351 | </p> |
| 347 | |
352 | |
| 348 | <p> |
353 | <p> |
| 349 | For your internet chat needs, <c>irssi</c> is an excellent, tiny, incredibly |
354 | For your internet chat needs, <c>irssi</c> is an excellent, tiny, incredibly |
| 350 | configurable IRC client that runs in your terminal. If you prefer a compact |
355 | configurable IRC client that runs in your terminal. If you prefer a compact |
| … | |
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| 352 | <c>emerge pidgin</c>. |
357 | <c>emerge pidgin</c>. |
| 353 | </p> |
358 | </p> |
| 354 | |
359 | |
| 355 | <p> |
360 | <p> |
| 356 | If you need movie and music players, look no further than <c>mplayer</c> and |
361 | If you need movie and music players, look no further than <c>mplayer</c> and |
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362 | <uri link="/proj/en/desktop/sound/decibel.xml">decibel-audio-player</uri>. They |
| 357 | <c>audacious</c>. They can play most every media format available quite nicely, |
363 | can play most every media format available quite nicely. |
| 358 | and have a wealth of additional plugins available for additional functionality. |
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| 359 | </p> |
364 | </p> |
| 360 | |
365 | |
| 361 | <p> |
366 | <p> |
| 362 | Finally, you'll need a webbrowser. Nearly all graphical webbrowsers require more |
367 | Finally, you'll need a webbrowser. Nearly all graphical webbrowsers require more |
| 363 | resources than most of your other desktop applications. Still, |
368 | resources than most of your other desktop applications. Still, <c>firefox</c> |
| 364 | <c>mozilla-firefox</c> (or <c>mozilla-firefox-bin</c>) is always a good choice. |
369 | (or <c>firefox-bin</c>) is always a good choice. Alternatively, you may find |
| 365 | Alternatively, you may find <c>opera</c> to be quite fast. However, <c>opera</c> |
370 | <c>opera</c> to be quite fast. However, <c>opera</c> is not available on as many |
| 366 | is not available on as many processor architectures as <c>mozilla-firefox</c>, |
371 | processor architectures as <c>firefox</c>, and it has more dependencies unless |
| 367 | and it has more dependencies unless you override them with a USE flag. |
372 | you override them with a few USE flags. |
| 368 | </p> |
373 | </p> |
| 369 | |
374 | |
| 370 | <pre caption="Adding a webbrowser"> |
375 | <pre caption="Adding a webbrowser"> |
| 371 | <comment>(Installing Mozilla Firefox)</comment> |
376 | <comment>(Installing Mozilla Firefox)</comment> |
| 372 | # <i>emerge mozilla-firefox</i> |
377 | # <i>emerge firefox</i> |
| 373 | <comment>(Installing Opera)</comment> |
378 | <comment>(Installing Opera)</comment> |
| 374 | # <i>echo "www-client/opera qt-static" >> /etc/portage/package.use</i> |
379 | # <i>echo "www-client/opera gtk -kde" >> /etc/portage/package.use</i> |
| 375 | # <i>emerge opera</i> |
380 | # <i>emerge opera</i> |
| 376 | </pre> |
381 | </pre> |
| 377 | |
382 | |
| 378 | <p> |
383 | <p> |
| 379 | Now that we've explored some good suggestions for rounding out your desktop |
384 | Now that we've explored some good suggestions for rounding out your desktop |
| … | |
… | |
| 403 | </pre> |
408 | </pre> |
| 404 | |
409 | |
| 405 | <p> |
410 | <p> |
| 406 | We aren't quite finished yet. We have to pick a display manager and set the |
411 | We aren't quite finished yet. We have to pick a display manager and set the |
| 407 | appropriate variable. Though there are a few choices available in Portage, for |
412 | appropriate variable. Though there are a few choices available in Portage, for |
| 408 | this guide, we'll stick with two display manager options: <c>xdm</c> and |
413 | this guide, we'll stick with <uri link="http://slim.berlios.de">SLiM</uri>, the |
| 409 | <c>gdm</c>. |
414 | Simple Login Manager. |
| 410 | </p> |
|
|
| 411 | |
|
|
| 412 | <p> |
415 | </p> |
| 413 | <c>xdm</c> is speedy and lightweight, but it isn't pretty, and isn't really |
416 | |
| 414 | customizable. If you'd like to use it, first <c>emerge</c> it: |
|
|
| 415 | </p> |
417 | <p> |
|
|
418 | <c>slim</c> is speedy and lightweight, with minimal dependencies. Perfect for |
|
|
419 | Xfce! |
|
|
420 | </p> |
| 416 | |
421 | |
| 417 | <pre caption="Installing XDM"> |
422 | <pre caption="Installing SLiM"> |
| 418 | # <i>emerge -avt xdm</i> |
423 | # <i>emerge -avt slim</i> |
| 419 | </pre> |
424 | </pre> |
|
|
425 | |
|
|
426 | <note> |
|
|
427 | The <c>branding</c> USE flag will pull in the <c>slim-themes</c> package, which |
|
|
428 | will give you an assortment of login themes, including a Gentoo Linux theme. |
|
|
429 | </note> |
| 420 | |
430 | |
| 421 | <p> |
431 | <p> |
| 422 | Then edit the DISPLAYMANAGER variable in <path>/etc/conf.d/xdm</path>: |
432 | Then edit the DISPLAYMANAGER variable in <path>/etc/conf.d/xdm</path>: |
| 423 | </p> |
433 | </p> |
| 424 | |
434 | |
| 425 | <pre caption="Editing /etc/conf.d/xdm"> |
435 | <pre caption="Editing /etc/conf.d/xdm"> |
| 426 | DISPLAYMANAGER="xdm" |
436 | DISPLAYMANAGER="slim" |
| 427 | </pre> |
437 | </pre> |
| 428 | |
438 | |
| 429 | <p> |
|
|
| 430 | <c>xdm</c> can automatically start your Xfce session if you add XSESSION="Xfce4" |
|
|
| 431 | to <path>/etc/rc.conf</path>. |
|
|
| 432 | </p> |
439 | <p> |
| 433 | |
440 | SLiM can automatically start your Xfce session if you add |
|
|
441 | <c>XSESSION="Xfce4"</c> to <path>/etc/env.d/90xsession</path>: |
| 434 | <p> |
442 | </p> |
| 435 | While you can choose to stick with (the rather ugly) <c>xdm</c>, why not try |
|
|
| 436 | <c>gdm</c> instead? It's far more configurable, and much, much prettier. First, |
|
|
| 437 | let's <c>emerge</c> it. Note that though it has a few dependencies, they're |
|
|
| 438 | small, and they're not as nearly as numerous as other display managers. |
|
|
| 439 | </p> |
|
|
| 440 | |
443 | |
| 441 | <pre caption="Installing GDM"> |
444 | <pre caption="Setting XSESSION"> |
| 442 | # <i>emerge -avt gdm</i> |
445 | # <i>echo XSESSION=\"Xfce4\" > /etc/env.d/90xsession</i> |
| 443 | </pre> |
446 | # <i>env-update && source /etc/profile</i> |
| 444 | |
|
|
| 445 | <p> |
|
|
| 446 | Next, change the DISPLAYMANAGER variable to use <c>gdm</c> instead of |
|
|
| 447 | <c>xdm</c>: |
|
|
| 448 | </p> |
|
|
| 449 | |
|
|
| 450 | <pre caption="Editing /etc/conf.d/xdm"> |
|
|
| 451 | DISPLAYMANAGER="gdm" |
|
|
| 452 | </pre> |
447 | </pre> |
| 453 | |
448 | |
| 454 | </body> |
449 | </body> |
| 455 | </section> |
450 | </section> |
| 456 | <section> |
451 | <section> |
| … | |
… | |
| 477 | to be able to access themes and icon sets. Individual users can install themes |
472 | to be able to access themes and icon sets. Individual users can install themes |
| 478 | and icon sets to <path>~/.themes/</path> and <path>~/.icons/</path>. |
473 | and icon sets to <path>~/.themes/</path> and <path>~/.icons/</path>. |
| 479 | </p> |
474 | </p> |
| 480 | |
475 | |
| 481 | <p> |
476 | <p> |
| 482 | If you installed GDM as your display manager, take a look at the many GDM themes |
477 | If you installed SLiM as your display manager, there are lots of themes in the |
| 483 | available on <uri link="http://www.gnome-look.org">Gnome-Look</uri>. To install |
478 | <c>slim-themes</c> package available in Portage. Also, be sure to check the SLiM |
| 484 | them, you can either unpack and move them to |
479 | <uri link="http://slim.berlios.de/themes01.php">themes page</uri> for more |
| 485 | <path>/usr/share/gdm/themes/</path> on the command line, or you can run |
480 | themes. Creating your own SLiM theme is fairly easy; just read the <uri |
| 486 | <c>gdmsetup</c> as <b>root</b> and drag'n'drop the archive into the GDM window. |
481 | link="http://slim.berlios.de/themes_howto.php">Themes HowTo</uri>. Gentoo also |
| 487 | There are some <uri |
482 | ships a <c>slim-themes</c> package that you can <c>emerge</c>. |
| 488 | link="http://gnome-look.org/content/show.php?content=45575">very nice</uri> |
|
|
| 489 | Gentoo <uri |
|
|
| 490 | link="http://gnome-look.org/content/show.php?content=20071">themes</uri> |
|
|
| 491 | available. |
|
|
| 492 | </p> |
483 | </p> |
| 493 | |
484 | |
| 494 | <p> |
485 | <p> |
| 495 | Finally, Xfce has its own built-in compositor to manage window transparency. |
486 | Finally, Xfce has its own built-in compositor to manage window transparency. |
| 496 | This option can be found in Menu --> Settings --> Window Manager. For best |
487 | This option can be found in Menu --> Settings --> Window Manager. For best |
| … | |
… | |
| 513 | <uri link="/doc/en/index.xml?catid=desktop">Desktop Documentation |
504 | <uri link="/doc/en/index.xml?catid=desktop">Desktop Documentation |
| 514 | Resources</uri> list to learn about configuring hardware-accelerated rendering |
505 | Resources</uri> list to learn about configuring hardware-accelerated rendering |
| 515 | for your graphics card. |
506 | for your graphics card. |
| 516 | </p> |
507 | </p> |
| 517 | |
508 | |
| 518 | </body> |
|
|
| 519 | </section> |
|
|
| 520 | </chapter> |
|
|
| 521 | |
|
|
| 522 | <chapter id="upgrade"> |
|
|
| 523 | <title>Upgrading</title> |
|
|
| 524 | <section> |
|
|
| 525 | <title>Upgrading from 4.2 to 4.4</title> |
|
|
| 526 | <body> |
|
|
| 527 | |
|
|
| 528 | <p> |
|
|
| 529 | Upgrading from Xfce 4.2 to 4.4 isn't hard, but neither is it as simple as most |
|
|
| 530 | upgrades. With the release of 4.4, many older packages are either deprecated, or |
|
|
| 531 | their functionality has been included into the desktop in some other manner. |
|
|
| 532 | </p> |
509 | <p> |
| 533 | |
510 | Once you've finished setting up a beautiful Xfce desktop, the next thing to do |
| 534 | <p> |
511 | is take a picture of it to share with other folks! Just install |
| 535 | First, update your Portage tree (<c>emerge --sync</c>), then see what Xfce |
512 | <c>xfce4-screenshooter</c> and post your pictures somewhere for all to admire. |
| 536 | updates are available (<c>emerge -pvtuD world</c>). |
|
|
| 537 | </p> |
|
|
| 538 | |
|
|
| 539 | <p> |
|
|
| 540 | You'll notice that there will be a list of packages that block upgrading, as |
|
|
| 541 | most 4.2 packages cannot coexist with 4.4 packages. Here, the solution is pretty |
|
|
| 542 | straightforward: just unmerge the blocking packages, as described in the <uri |
|
|
| 543 | link="/doc/en/handbook/handbook-x86.xml?part=2&chap=1">Portage |
|
|
| 544 | Handbook</uri> and <c>man emerge</c>, then continue with the update. |
|
|
| 545 | </p> |
|
|
| 546 | |
|
|
| 547 | <p> |
|
|
| 548 | Next, you may need to rebuild certain packages, such as applications linked |
|
|
| 549 | against <c>dbus</c>. You'll need to first install <c>gentoolkit</c> for this. |
|
|
| 550 | Then, once <c>gentoolkit</c> is installed, run: |
|
|
| 551 | </p> |
|
|
| 552 | |
|
|
| 553 | <pre caption="Rebuilding packages"> |
|
|
| 554 | # <i>revdep-rebuild -p</i> |
|
|
| 555 | <comment>(If you see any output about broken packages, run this next command)</comment> |
|
|
| 556 | # <i>revdep-rebuild</i> |
|
|
| 557 | </pre> |
|
|
| 558 | |
|
|
| 559 | <note> |
|
|
| 560 | For more information, please read <c>man revdep-rebuild</c> and our <uri |
|
|
| 561 | link="/doc/en/gentoolkit.xml">Gentoolkit Guide</uri>. |
|
|
| 562 | </note> |
|
|
| 563 | |
|
|
| 564 | <p> |
|
|
| 565 | Once the rebuild has finished, run <c>revdep-rebuild -p</c> again, just to make |
|
|
| 566 | sure you have a clean and consistent world. If anything still shows up, keep |
|
|
| 567 | repeating <c>revdep-rebuild -p</c> and <c>revdep-rebuild</c> until there's no |
|
|
| 568 | more output about broken packages. Most Xfce update problems stem from |
|
|
| 569 | <c>dbus</c> issues, as Xfce uses <c>dbus</c> quite extensively. |
|
|
| 570 | </p> |
|
|
| 571 | |
|
|
| 572 | <p> |
|
|
| 573 | Next, restart <c>dbus</c> and/or <c>hal</c>. |
|
|
| 574 | </p> |
|
|
| 575 | |
|
|
| 576 | <pre caption="Restarting dbus and hal"> |
|
|
| 577 | # <i>/etc/init.d/dbus restart</i> |
|
|
| 578 | # <i>/etc/init.d/hald restart</i> |
|
|
| 579 | </pre> |
|
|
| 580 | |
|
|
| 581 | <p> |
|
|
| 582 | Finally, give yourself a fresh environment. |
|
|
| 583 | </p> |
|
|
| 584 | |
|
|
| 585 | <pre caption="Updating the environment variables"> |
|
|
| 586 | # <i>env-update && source /etc/profile</i> |
|
|
| 587 | </pre> |
|
|
| 588 | |
|
|
| 589 | </body> |
|
|
| 590 | </section> |
|
|
| 591 | <section> |
|
|
| 592 | <title>Settings</title> |
|
|
| 593 | <body> |
|
|
| 594 | |
|
|
| 595 | <p> |
|
|
| 596 | Make sure you familiarize yourself with all the new options available in the new |
|
|
| 597 | Settings Manager. Of interest are the options in the Desktop screen; Xfce can |
|
|
| 598 | now manage your desktop and place icons on it. |
|
|
| 599 | </p> |
|
|
| 600 | |
|
|
| 601 | <p> |
|
|
| 602 | There's also a Window Manager Tweaks screen, in which you can adjust the |
|
|
| 603 | behavior of windows, workspaces, and transparency (if enabled). Xfce 4.4 has |
|
|
| 604 | slightly changed the default behavior of workspaces and active window focus. If |
|
|
| 605 | you find that clicking a hyperlink in one workspace switches your browser to |
|
|
| 606 | that workspace from another one (or similar annoying window focus behavior), try |
|
|
| 607 | Settings --> Window Manager Tweaks --> Focus --> Activate Focus Stealing |
|
|
| 608 | Prevention. |
|
|
| 609 | </p> |
|
|
| 610 | |
|
|
| 611 | <p> |
|
|
| 612 | Be sure to read the <uri link="http://www.xfce.org/documentation/">Xfce |
|
|
| 613 | Documentation</uri> and take the <uri link="http://www.xfce.org/about/tour">Xfce |
|
|
| 614 | Tour</uri> to learn more about 4.4 and how to configure it. |
|
|
| 615 | </p> |
513 | </p> |
| 616 | |
514 | |
| 617 | </body> |
515 | </body> |
| 618 | </section> |
516 | </section> |
| 619 | </chapter> |
517 | </chapter> |
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