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409 lines
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<H4 ALIGN="center">
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"Linux Gazette...<I>making Linux just a little more fun!</I>"
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</H4>
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<P> <HR> <P>
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<!--===================================================================-->
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<center>
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<H1><font color="maroon">Choosing your Window Manager: a Matter of Taste</font></H1>
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<H4>By <a href="mailto:matthiasarndt@gmx.net">Matthias Arndt</a></H4>
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</center>
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<P> <HR> <P>
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<H3>Table of Contents</H3>
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<UL>
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<LI><A HREF="#1">A short notice about this article</A></LI>
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<LI><A HREF="#2">A short list of available window managers for Linux</A></LI>
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<LI><A HREF="#3">My experiences with window managers in the last 2 years</A></LI>
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<LI><A HREF="#4">Tips concerning window managers</A></LI>
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<LI><A HREF="#5">Advantages and Disadvantages of the window managers mentioned</A></LI>
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<LI><A HREF="#6">The Dotfile Generator</A></LI>
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<LI><A HREF="#7">Conclusion</A></LI>
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<LI><A HREF="#book">Book Tip</A></LI>
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</UL>
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<HR>
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<A NAME="1"><h3>A short notice about this article</h3>
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<P>
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This article should be of concern to all users of Linux. Because a graphical
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user interface seems to be required by almost any sort of computer users,
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it is essential to provide a pleasant GUI to the user.
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</P>
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<p>The problem (or the pleasing fact, if you want to claim that) with Linux,
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is that you're are not limited to a GUI provided by your OS manufacturer.
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In Linux, (in deed, any sort of Unix), you have the choice, how your desktop
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will look like.
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</P>
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<p>In this article, I'll try to line out the several ways of providing
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a pleasant GUI using your favorite window manager.<br>
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I'll provide a list with several window managers. I'll try to line out
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their advantages and their disadvantages. I'll also tell you about the
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experiences I made while actually using one of the window managers mentioned.
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<p>However, I'll not cover the aspect of configuring the various window managers.
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Check the manuals or articles in the <em>Linux Gazette</em> covering the
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aspect of configuring a special window manager. (As far as I remember, there
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were very decent articles about configuring fvwm in the first 8 or 9 issues
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of the <em>Linux Gazette</em>.
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</P>
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<P><A HREF="#toc">back to the top</A></P><HR>
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<A NAME="2"><h3>A short list of available window managers for Linux</h3>
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<P>
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The following list shows you a short glimpse on this topic. It shows you
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a list of the available window managers for Linux.
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<br>
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This list is not complete, however, as the linux world is as always
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on the move and new products are likely to appear on the scene.
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</P>
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<table BORDER >
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<tr BGCOLOR="#FFFF00">
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<td>Name of window manager</td>
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<td>short description</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>TWM</td>
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<td>the default window manager provided by the XFree team, for purists only</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>FVWM</td>
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<td>this has been the most used window manager in the Linux world</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>FVWM 2</td>
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<td>a modernized version of the good old FVWM, with themes and much colour
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<br>I haven't used this window manager yet.</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>FVWM 95</td>
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<td>a rewrite of the FVWM window manager to provide a Windows 95 feel</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>AfterStep</td>
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<td>a window manager trying to emulate the NextStep feel - includes a wharf,
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some sort of panel to swallow applications</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Enlightenment</td>
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<td>I haven't used that one. I have heard that this one should be very
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colorful. More a toy than a window manager? ;-)</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>KWM</td>
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<td>the window manager provided with the KDE desktop environment, very easy
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to use and to configure without having to edit the config files with a
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text editor</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>IceWM</td>
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<td>a window manager completely written from scratch, supports a Win95'like
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taskbar with Linux icon and themes - very fast especially to load
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<br>KDE needs almost the double amount of time to launch. (My personal
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tip!)</td>
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</tr>
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</table>
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<p>These are the most popular window managers in the Linux world. There
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are a few more window managers like the olvwm, the olwm. the wm2 and Windowmaker.
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<br>I haven't used them before and I intend to focus on the window managers
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I know in this article.
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<br>If you don't like that, what about writing an article about your favorite
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window manager? I'd love to read about other interesting window managers.
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</P>
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<P><A HREF="#toc">back to the top</A></P><HR>
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<A NAME="3"><h3>My experiences with window managers in the last 2 years</h3>
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I'm using Linux for almost 2 years now - with breaks between. A friend
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told me about Linux and I found the idea very great. An OS you could copy
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and give away for nothing, an OS you could rewrite and you could take a
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look at the code. Wow, that seemed to be the future of home computing for
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me. So in December 1997, I bought a good Linux book, <i><a href="#book">The
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Linux A-Z by Phil Cornes</a></i>, and a CD containing the PTS Linux distribution.
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(I'm from Germany, you perhaps should know.)
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<p>The first window manager I was confronted with, was the clumsy TWM. I
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was happy to run X and to learn more about Linux so I didn't care. The
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TWM gave me a real UNIX and highend user feeling I never encountered before.
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<p>In the spring of 1999, I started being interested in dial-ins to run
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a better BBS than the old DOS BBS systems, perhaps running a PPP link and
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using Internet (eq. TCP/IP) technologies for that.
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<br>Linux seemed to be best suited for that. So I reinstalled Linux and
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learned more about Linux. That time, I focused on system configuration
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and programming first (and I still do that).
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<p>With gathering more and more information of the Linux system, I managed
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to configure the TWM to fit my needs. However, I was looking for a better
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suited window manager as I learned that the user can select the window manager
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to be displayed. At first, I tried FVWM 95 because, at that time I still
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worked using Windows 95.
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<p>Linux was giving me more and more. In the October of 1999, I got a copy
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of Debian and installed it. That was a more modern distribution and it
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was the first that I managed to provide Internet access to me. Form then
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on, I have hardly used Windows 95/98 to connect to the Net. Linux is just
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much more stable and better suited for that.
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<p>Debian came along with both, KDE and GNOME. But both seemed to be broken
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and at that time, I could not get one of them to work.
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<br>Under Debian then , I started my adventure of exploring the advantages
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of different standard window managers under Linux. I installed FVWM and
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AfterStep and I tried both.
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<p>I discovered that FVWM was superior to both FVWM 95 and to TWM. However
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I liked the look and feel of Afterstep and the Wharf got my attention.
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I switched to AfterStep and I still have that window manager on the machine
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I used at that time.
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<p>Because of problems with my disk space (I couldn't afford a second harddrive),
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I didn't install SuSE Linux because it consumed to much disk space.
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<br>In the spring of 2000, this changed as I got my new Athlon 600 machine
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with a GeForce 256 chip set video card. I first had problems to get a working
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X server for it. But I installed the new SuSE Linux 6.4 (and I still use
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it now while I'm writing this article). Disk space was not a problem so
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I have currently installed almost all window managers supplied with SuSE,
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even KDE and a small working copy of GNOME.
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<p>At first I tried KDE because all Linux magazines (here in Germany) focused
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on that.
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<br>I was amazed and puzzled. Such a powerful desktop, far superior to
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all kinds of products from MS. Then, I discovered the possibility to change
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the window manager with the KDM login utility. Ok, I was (and I am still
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able) to use all of the window managers I mentioned above. I played around
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a little bit with it, and then I found IceWM.
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<p>At that point, the world of Linux changed for me. A classical window manager
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for Linux and it loads so d*** fast. I was puzzled. Quickly, I decided
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not to use KDE anymore. KDE was far too close to Windows 98, while the
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icewm provides a more UNIX like feeling.
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<p>I can configure icewm in the good old unix way, it is fast and it provides
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almost all of the aspects I used under KDE. I now run icewm exclusively.
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However, I still have KDE installed and I use the kfm and a few of the
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KDE applications, especially the KMail E-Mail client.
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<p>I can tell you, I'm now pleased and satisfied with Linux all the way.
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<br>The only reason to load Windows 98 is to either to play the games (I'm
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quite a gaming fan) and to run an Atari ST emulator - StonX is not the
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best ST emulator I know. All I can tell you: In 1 out of 20 occasions,
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I boot my machine, I boot Windows, the 19 other occasions, I boot into Linux with icewm.
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</P>
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<P><A HREF="#toc">back to the top</A></P><HR>
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<A NAME="4"><H3>Tips concerning window managers</H3>
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<P>I tend to sort the window managers into 3 classes:</P>
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<OL>
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<LI>simple window managers like TWM</LI>
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<LI>feature-rich window managers that require user customization via one or more configuration files like FVWM, icewm and AfterStep</LI>
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<LI>feature-rich window managers that are configured using a GUI like the KDE window manager</LI>
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</OL>
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<P>The first thing you must choose: do you only need a window manager to allow you to move your windows around (and perhaps a menu to launch
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your favourite applications) or do you want to have a complete desktop environment with all components having the same user interface.
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</P>
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<P>For new Linux users, I'd suggest using KDE or GNOME because they fit into the 3rd category mentioned above. Especially KDE can be configured like
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Windows and is therefor better suited for Windows fans or new Linux users.</P>
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<P>
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Even, a Linux guru may use KDE, but most people prefer to have the control over all config files.
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</P>
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<P>
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If you like to have a colorful desktop or you want to install desktop themes and sound sets, FVWM2 or AfterStep could fit your needs.
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Do you want to have a Windows 95 feeling but you still want to be remembered that you are using Linux? I suggest using either FVWM95 or icewm.
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Because both of them support a START menu in the lower left corner of the screen. Both have a Windows95 like taskbar.
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Icewm is even better than FVWM95 because it features several workspaces. Try both out and make your choice afterwards.<BR>
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Configuration of icewm is somewhat easier because the configuration is split up into several files rather than a single one.
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</P>
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<P>
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If you like the classical Linux feeling, you should use FVWM1. It is a powerfull window manager and you can easily find help and tips for it in almost any
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Linux user group or on the net.
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</P>
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<P>
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If you're tight on memory, especially when running your X with only 16 MB available, you should forget about KDE. As far as I have used it, it seems to be very
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memory consuming. With only 16 MB of RAM, you should install one of the other standard window managers.<BR>
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<STRONG>A special tip for those of you with small amounts of RAM:</STRONG>The icewm is very fast and it does not use much memory. Give it a try.
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</P>
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<P>
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I haven't used GNOME yet but I think most of the things I said about KDE apply to GNOME as well.
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</P>
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<P><A HREF="#toc">back to the top</A></P><HR>
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<A NAME="5"><H3>Advantages and Disadvantages of the window managers mentioned</H3>
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<P>
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The following table will give you a short overview about the advantages and disadvantages of the window managers mentioned
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</P>
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<Table border WIDTH="100%">
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<TR BGCOLOR=#ffffdd>
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<TD>window manager</TD><TD>Advantages</TD><TD>Disadvantages</TD><TD>Conclusion</TD>
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</TR>
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<TR>
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<TD>TWM</TD><TD>comes shipped with every Linux that features X</TD><TD><UL>
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<LI>rather clumsy interface</LI>
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<LI>problems with large menus (at least on my PTS Linux system)</LI>
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<LI>no workspaces</LI>
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</UL>
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</TD><TD>for hardcore Unix users only</TD>
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</TR>
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<TR>
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<TD>FVWM</TD><TD><UL>
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<LI>a de-facto standard under Linux</LI>
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<LI>support for it almost everywere</LI>
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<LI>great stuff about it in the Linux Gazette, including configuration and tips</LI>
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<LI>pleasant look and feel</LI>
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</UL>
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</TD><TD><UL>
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<LI>all-in-one configuration file</LI>
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<LI>no GUI-based configuration utility available</LI>
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</UL></TD><TD>If you cannot decide, choose this one. Not recommended for complete new Linux users</TD>
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</TR>
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<TR>
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<TD>FVWM2</TD><TD><UL>
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<LI>modernized FVWM</LI>
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<LI>Themes</LI>
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</UL></TD><TD><UL>
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<LI>no GUI-based configuration utility</LI>
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</UL></TD><TD>the modern variant of the FVWM above - for those who prefer a colorfull desktop</TD>
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</TR>
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<TR>
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<TD>FVWM95</TD><TD><UL>
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<LI>FVWM based</LI>
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<LI>Taskbar</LI>
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<LI>START menu</LI>
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</UL></TD><TD><UL>
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<LI>no GUI-based configuration utility</LI>
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<LI>as far as I can remember only one workspace</LI>
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</UL></TD><TD>the variant of the FVWM above - for those who want to have a Windows 95 like appearance of their X</TD>
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</TR>
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<TR>
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<TD>AfterStep</TD><TD><UL>
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<LI>Wharf</LI>
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<LI>NextStep look'n'feel</LI>
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</UL></TD><TD><UL>
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<LI>Wharf hard to configure</LI>
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<LI>as far as I know, no GUI-based configurator</LI>
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</UL></TD><TD>If you ever used a NeXT or a NextStep system, this is the right window manager for you.</TD>
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</TR>
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<TR>
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<TD>KDE</TD><TD><UL>
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<LI>modern look'n'fell</LI>
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<LI>Themes</LI>
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<LI>START Menu</LI>
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<LI>Drag'n'Drop on taskbar</LI>
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<LI>comes along with a complete set of applications</LI>
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<LI>easy to use and to configure</LI>
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<LI>up to 8 workspaces</LI>
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<LI>GUI-based configuration</LI>
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<LI>very configurable</LI>
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</UL></TD><TD><UL>
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<LI>uses much memory</LI>
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<LI>too close to Windows</LI>
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</UL></TD><TD>a complete desktop solution for Unix - recommended for novice users</TD>
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</TR>
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<TR>
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<TD>IceWM</TD><TD><UL>
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<LI>fast loading</LI>
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<LI>small memory usage</LI>
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<LI>GUI-based configurators available</LI>
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<LI>taskbar</LI>
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<LI>at least 4 workspaces</LI>
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<LI>START menu</LI>
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<LI>Themes</LI>
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</UL></TD><TD><UL><LI>configured using files</LI></UL><TD>a powerfull window manager - my personal tip<BR>at least
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the menus are easy to configure, at least for an intelligent person<BR>
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Even novices should, at least, take a look at it.
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</TD>
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</TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P><B>Notice: </B>Most distributions come along with a utility that allows to create the menu entries of the various window managers.</P>
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<UL>
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<LI>SuSE Linux has this feature</LI>
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<LI>Debian has it - seems to work pretty good</LI>
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<LI>I guess, Red Hat has something like that too</LI>
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</UL>
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<P><A HREF="#toc">back to the top</A></P><HR>
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<A NAME="6"><H3>The Dotfile Generator</H3>
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<P>
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This is program to create the so-called dotfiles - the configuration files.
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</P>
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<P>
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As far as I've heard about it (from Linux Gazette), it can also create the configuration files for some window managers.
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</P>
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<P>
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I've not used it yet and I do not plan to do. Search the Linux Gazette website on it to find more information.
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</P>
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<P><A HREF="#toc">back to the top</A></P><HR>
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<A NAME="7"><H3>Conclusion</H3>
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<P>I hope this article helped you to find your window manager of taste.<BR>
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However, <EM>I cannot give any warranties</EM> that all information provided is correct.
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</P>
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<P><A HREF="#toc">back to the top</A></P><HR><a NAME="book"><h3>Book tip</h3>
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<P>
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<em>The Linux A-Z</EM>
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<br>written by Phil Cornes
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<br>ISBN: 0-13-234709-1
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<p><center><em>I do not give any warranties that the information above is correct.</em></center>
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This book covers almost any aspects of Linux, including system programming
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and configuration. However it is written from a 1995 point of view and
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some information, including the URLs are outdated.
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</P>
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<P>
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This is a book about the usage of Linux in general, not about window managers.<BR>
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However, a fairly small chapter deals with the configuration of FVWM.
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</P>
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<P><b>Notice for my German readers: </b>This book is in English.</P>
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<P><A HREF="#toc">back to the top</A></P>
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<center><strong>created using Bluefish</strong></center>
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<BLOCKQUOTE><EM>
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[Matthias also submitted a 2-Cent Tip in this issue, a
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<A HREF="lg_tips57.html#tree">tree script</A> -Ed.]
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</EM></BLOCKQUOTE>
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<!-- *** BEGIN copyright *** -->
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<P> <hr> <!-- P -->
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<H5 ALIGN=center>
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|
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Copyright © 2000, Matthias Arndt<BR>
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Published in Issue 57 of <i>Linux Gazette</i>, September 2000</H5>
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