View Full Version : [Solved] Which GUI to choose?
valsorym
August 1st, 2011, 18:37
I recently switched from Windows Xp on FreeBSD. In Windows XP, only one GUI - Explorer. I found that in UNIX have a choice: GNOME, KDE, OpenBox - what to choose?
I installed PC-BSD - he was using KDE. I have a very fast computer - no inhibitions. But I do not like multimedia interface (similar to Windows 7).
Now, I installed FreeBSD 8 and GNOME2. I like GNOME - but it's too big. To start GNOME2, I installed X11 - startx. startx - Very compact GUI - stunned. But as run LibreOffice 3 or Battlefield Bad Company 2?
What advice would you give GUI?
- Run LibreOffice
- Run FireFox
- Run Gimp
- Run Battlefield Bad Company 2 (made a separate topic)
Thank you.
pkubaj
August 1st, 2011, 19:14
You can't run Battlefield natively - it's only for Windows. You can try with emulators/wine or emulators/virtualbox-ose, but there's no guarantee either will work. Furthermore, to play games with VirtualBOX, you need a really powerful PC. As for running Firefox, GIMP and Libreoffice - I'm no quiet sure what you mean. Is it a translation error and you mean installing or actual launching? If you want to install, then do: cd /usr/ports/graphics/gimp && make install clean (an example for GIMP). To launch it: gimp.
GNOME and KDE are quiet heavy and not everyone likes it. A lighter alternative would be XFCE, but it's still a DE. If you want something really light, try installing only some WM. Most of them require you to spend some time to customize it, but WindowMaker is both light and easily customizable (with GUI). I use WindowMaker on my laptop with Debian (can't install FreeBSD - no drivers, maybe soon) and I really like it.
UNIXgod
August 1st, 2011, 19:15
http://xwinman.org/
try before you buy. There are many window managers and desktops to choose from. To run the apps you listed you could run any of them.
valsorym
August 1st, 2011, 19:19
Only just found openBox.
Install all components:
# cd /usr/ports/x11-wm/openbox && make && make install clean
# cd /usr/ports/x11-themes/openbox-themes && make && make install clean
# cd /usr/ports/x11-wm/obconf && make && make install clean
# cd /usr/ports/x11-wm/obmenu && make && make install clean
To start openBox:
# echo "openbox-session" >> ~/.xinitrc
Start openBox:
# startx
[ OPENBOX CONFIGURATION MENU ]
Start the terminal:
- Right click -> Terminals -> Xterm
# mkdir -p ~/.config/openbox
# cp /usr/local/etc/xdg/openbox/menu.xml ~/.config/openbox/
# chmod 0644 ~/.config/openbox/menu.xml
Setup menu:
# obmenu
Setting up windows:
# obconf
Very nice window manager. Installed very quickly.
Bunyan
August 1st, 2011, 19:22
I like GNOME - but it's too big.
GNOME versions prior to 2.20 are nice and relatively light.
Version 2.16 is used by RHEL 5 even now!
So, the apps you intend to run do not depend on the GUI at all.
KDE and GNOME are complete desktop environments and they can launch any application
easily.
But practical people prefer window managers. Why?
The advantage of a window manager is that it's light, does not pull in too
many dependencies, not bloated, fast.
But it must be customized!
During the past decade XFCE was considered, and for good reason, an alternative
to KDE/GNOME. It is able to launch almost any app, but XFCE grew bloated.
I am using Fluxbox.
Here are my customizations:
.fluxbox/init
session.screen0.titlebar.left: Stick
.................................................. .......................................
session.screen0.workspaceNames: Workspace 1,Workspace 2,Workspace 3,Workspace 4,Workspace
5,Workspace 6,Workspace 7,Workspace 8,Workspace 9,Workspace 10,
.................................................. .......................................
session.menuFile: ~/.fluxbox/menu[/FILE]
.fluxbox/keys
[FILE]! fluxbox-update_configs added '(workspace=[current])' to (Next|Prev)(Window|Group)
! check lines marked by 'FBCV13' if they are correctly updated
!mouse actions added by fluxbox-update_configs
OnTitlebar Mouse1 :MacroCmd {Focus} {Raise} {ActivateTab}
!mouse actions added by fluxbox-update_configs
OnTitlebar Move1 :StartMoving
OnLeftGrip Move1 :StartResizing bottomleft
OnRightGrip Move1 :StartResizing bottomright
OnWindowBorder Move1 :StartMoving
# click on the desktop to get menus
OnDesktop Mouse1 :HideMenus
OnDesktop Mouse2 :WorkspaceMenu
OnDesktop Mouse3 :RootMenu
F12 :RootMenu
.................................................. ........................................
# scroll on the desktop to change workspaces
OnDesktop Mouse4 :PrevWorkspace
OnDesktop Mouse5 :NextWorkspace
Control Mod1 Left :PrevWorkspace
Control Mod1 Right :NextWorkspace
.................................................. ............................
.fluxbox/menu
# Generated by fluxbox-generate_menu
#
# If you read this it means you want to edit this file manually, so here
# are some useful tips:
#
# - You can add your own menu-entries to ~/.fluxbox/usermenu
#
# - If you miss apps please let me know and I will add them for the next
# release.
#
# - The -r option prevents removing of empty menu entries and lines which
# makes things much more readable.
#
# - To prevent any other app from overwriting your menu
# you can change the menu name in ~/.fluxbox/init to:
# session.menuFile: ~/.fluxbox/my-menu
[begin] (Fluxbox-1.3.1)
[encoding] {UTF-8}
[exec] (xterm) {xterm}
[exec] (lynx) {xterm -e lynx fluxbox.org}
[submenu] (Terminals)
[exec] (aterm) {aterm}
[exec] (eterm) {Eterm}
[exec] (xterm) {xterm}
[end]
[submenu] (Net)
[submenu] (Browsers)
[exec] (lynx) {xterm -e lynx fluxbox.org}
[exec] (opera) {opera-devel}
[exec] (linux-opera) {linux-opera}
[exec] (firefox) {firefox} </usr/local/share/pixmaps/firefox.png>
[end]
[submenu] (Instant Messenger)
[exec] (skype) {skype}
[exec] (pidgin) {pidgin}
[end]
[submenu] (Torrent Client)
[exec] (Azureus) {azureus}
[exec] (qbittorrent) {qbittorrent}
[end]
[end]
[submenu] (Editors)
[exec] (vi) {xterm -e vi}
[exec] (gedit) {gedit}
[end]
[submenu] (Multimedia)
[submenu] (Graphics)
[exec] (gimp) {gimp}
[exec] (blender) {blender}
[exec] (xv) {xv}
[end]
[submenu] (X-utils)
[exec] (Reload .Xdefaults) {xrdb -load $HOME/.Xdefaults}
[end]
[end]
[submenu] (Office)
[exec] (xcalc) {xcalc}
[exec] (Open Office) {openoffice.org-3.3.0}
[exec] (Document Viewer) {evince}
[exec] (xchm) {xchm}
[end]
[submenu] (System Tools)
[exec] (top) {xterm -e top}
[end]
[submenu] (Fluxbox menu)
[config] (Configure)
[submenu] (System Styles) {Choose a style...}
[stylesdir] (/usr/local/share/fluxbox/styles)
[end]
[submenu] (User Styles) {Choose a style...}
[stylesdir] (~/.fluxbox/styles)
[end]
[workspaces] (Workspace List)
[submenu] (Window Managers)
[restart] (twm) {twm}
[end]
[commanddialog] (Fluxbox Command)
[reconfig] (Reload config)
[restart] (Restart)
[exec] (About) {(fluxbox -v; fluxbox -info | sed 1d) | xmessage -file - -center}
[separator]
[exit] (Exit)
[end]
[endencoding]
[end]
The changes made by me are highlighted.
valsorym
August 1st, 2011, 19:22
Oh, there is a Xfce.
valsorym
August 1st, 2011, 19:27
Originally Posted by UNIXgod.
try before you buy. There are many window managers and desktops to choose from. To run the apps you listed you could run any of them
Eyes run. Thank you.
Yes, I am not interested in pay window managers.
graudeejs
August 1st, 2011, 19:30
Eyes run. Thank you.
Yes, I am not interested in pay window managers.
They are free. That was just a saying.
Bunyan
August 1st, 2011, 19:31
I am not interested in pay window managers.
That was an English saying, folklore.
UNIXgod
August 1st, 2011, 19:35
Eyes run. Thank you.
Yes, I am not interested in pay window managers.
It's a saying. Kinda making fun of it as it's ironic. All the software listed on that site is open source.
Either way the point is to discover which "gui" works best for your style. There are many out there because many people have different workflows and philosophy on user interface and interactivity. The open source world is a very eclectic place. Most certainly you will find one that works the way that fits your personal preferences.
valsorym
August 1st, 2011, 19:35
Originally Posted by Bunyan.
But practical people prefer window managers. Why?
Do not even know. I love the simplicity. The principle of "Occam's Razor":).
For Bunyan.
Thanks for the recommendation of XFCE and Fluxbox.
valsorym
August 1st, 2011, 19:43
Originally Posted by Bunyan.
That was an English saying, folklore.
Originally Posted by UNIXgod.
It's a saying. Kinda making fun of it as it's ironic. All the software listed on that site is open source.
Yps, sorry all.
Originally Posted by UNIXgod.
Either way the point is to discover which "gui" works best for your style. There are many out there because many people have different workflows and philosophy on user interface and interactivity. The open source world is a very eclectic place. Most certainly you will find one that works the way that fits your personal preferences.
I really liked the principle openBox.
Nothing more. Compact. Fast. Another look: XFCE and Fluxbox.
Thank you all.
Now I have more questions than it at first.
UNIXgod
August 1st, 2011, 19:44
Do not even know. I love the simplicity. The principle of "Occam's Razor":).
For Bunyan.
Thanks for the recommendation of XFCE and Fluxbox.
If you like Fluxbox you also like e16. It's basically fluxbox on steroids. I used both for years. They are both very good.
valsorym
August 1st, 2011, 20:18
I installed e16 GUI: /usr/ports/x11-wm/e16/
Damn, how to run?
Bunyan
August 1st, 2011, 20:27
I installed e16 GUI: /usr/ports/x11-wm/e16/
Damn, how to run?
http://forums.freebsd.org/showpost.php?p=71022&postcount=30
valsorym
August 1st, 2011, 20:35
I installed XFce.
# cd /usr/ports/x11-wm/xfce4
# make && make install clean
# echo "/usr/local/bin/startxfce4" > ~/.xinitrc
# startx
- Just a black screen. Will not start.
etc. I removed the startup openBox.
valsorym
August 1st, 2011, 20:46
Originally Posted by Bunyan
http://forums.freebsd.org/showpost.p...2&postcount=30
This guide is to launch fluxbox and enlighenment.
Useful, thanks.
I was interested in running e16.
cra1g321
August 1st, 2011, 21:00
Remember if your installing OpenBox, you will need a task panel like tint2, the port for it is called tint
valsorym
August 1st, 2011, 21:04
Install all components:
# cd /usr/ports/x11-wm/fluxbox && make && make install clean
To start fluxbox:
# echo "fluxbox" >> ~/.xsession
# echo "/usr/local/bin/fluxbox" >> ~/.xinitrc
Start fluxbox:
# startx
An interesting window manager. already has the Opera Web Browser. Mini office. A few games. Terminals.
I wonder how this Russify manager.
valsorym
August 1st, 2011, 21:11
Originally Posted by cra1g321.
Remember if your installing OpenBox, you will need a task panel like tint2, the port for it is called tint
I do not quite understand you. Sorry, I have a translated problem.
am I need install tint2?
but.
# whereis tint2
tint2:
Port with that name is not found.
cra1g321
August 1st, 2011, 21:20
I do not quite understand you. Sorry, I have a translated problem.
am I need install tint2?
but.
# whereis tint2
tint2:
Port with that name is not found.
If you are going to be installing openbox, then you will need a task panel which will show all of the applications you have open. An example would be tint2.
the port name for tint2 is tint (whereis tint)
You will not need tint2 if you are installing fluxbox.
valsorym
August 1st, 2011, 21:23
Originally Posted by cra1g321.
You won't need tint2 if you are installing fluxbox.
the port name for tint2 is tint (whereis tint)
Oh, I understand. Thank you very much.
Are you a fan openBOX? What GUI are you using?
cra1g321
August 1st, 2011, 21:33
Oh, I understand. Thank you very much.
Are you a fan openBOX? What GUI are you using?
I often distro-hop between various linux distros and FreeBSD. I've used KDE4,Gnome2,OpenBox,XFCE and a little bit of fluxbox.
Currently I'm using Gnome3 on Arch Linux.
My favourite window manager would be openbox, loved it when i was using it on CrunchBang Linux.
Will probably use it on FreeBSD as it's easily customizable and very-lightweight
Heres links to screenshots of my old openbox desktop just to show you what openbox looks like when its themed -
http://cra1g321.deviantart.com/art/CrunchBang-Linux-OpenBox-217181556?q=sort%3Atime%20crunchbang&qo=30
http://cra1g321.deviantart.com/art/CrunchBang-Linux-OpenBox-2-217181911?q=sort%3Atime%20crunchbang&qo=29
valsorym
August 1st, 2011, 21:36
cra1g321, thank you very much for your response.
valsorym
August 1st, 2011, 21:38
I now stand between the choice of Fluxbox or OpenBox.
Fluxbox vs OpenBox :)
valsorym
August 1st, 2011, 21:42
If OpenBox can do all the things that Fluxbox then I choose OpenBox - it is much compact.
Can run OpenBox all the applications that Fluxbox?
cra1g321
August 1st, 2011, 21:46
If OpenBox can do all the things that Fluxbox then I choose OpenBox - it is much compact.
Can run OpenBox all the applications that Fluxbox?
Yes as they are both window managers. If your unsure what one to use just use google and look at the features each one has and what people think of them.
I've never really used Fluxbox so I'm not sure what the differences are between them.
valsorym
August 1st, 2011, 21:55
Yes, I read a comparison of these managers. and I have all boils down to a choice OpenBox.
Probably I will continue the post after months of using this manager. After you install Office and BFBC2.
Thank you all. There is something to think about.
The theme can be paused.
Once again, thank you.
Bunyan
August 1st, 2011, 22:34
I wonder how this Russify manager.
You want to localize Fluxbox to Russian.
All you have to do, is to "russify" your user account
login_conf
# $FreeBSD: src/share/skel/dot.login_conf,v 1.3.36.1.6.1 2010/12/21 17:09:25 kensmith Exp $
#
# see login.conf(5)
#
#me:\
# :charset=iso-8859-1:\
# :lang=de_DE.ISO8859-1:
me:\
:charset=KOI8-R:\
:lang=ru_RU.KOI8-R:
[/FILE]
/etc/rc.conf
[FILE]mousechar_start="3"
font8x8="cp866-8x8"
font8x14="cp866-8x14"
font8x16="cp866b-8x16"
scrnmap="koi8-r2cp866"
keymap="ru.koi8-r"
cursor="destructive"
/etc/ttys
# If console is marked "insecure", then init will ask for the root password
# when going to single-user mode.
console none unknown off insecure
#
ttyv0 "/usr/libexec/getty Pc" cons25r on secure
# Virtual terminals
ttyv1 "/usr/libexec/getty Pc" cons25r on secure
ttyv2 "/usr/libexec/getty Pc" cons25r on secure
ttyv3 "/usr/libexec/getty Pc" cons25r on secure
ttyv4 "/usr/libexec/getty Pc" cons25r on secure
ttyv5 "/usr/libexec/getty Pc" cons25r on secure
ttyv6 "/usr/libexec/getty Pc" cons25r on secure
ttyv7 "/usr/libexec/getty Pc" cons25r on secure
ttyv8 "/usr/local/bin/xdm -nodaemon" xterm off secure
Restart system and enjoy Fluxbox and other programs localized in Russian.
valsorym
August 1st, 2011, 22:42
->Bunyan
Ok. Thank you very much.
UNIXgod
August 2nd, 2011, 00:37
I installed e16 GUI: /usr/ports/x11-wm/e16/
Damn, how to run?
I believe it's launcher is called starte16.
type this after running the 'rehash' command:
which starte16
and it should send the path of the executable to stdout.
if you get output from the above command type this:
which starte16 | awk '{print "exec " $1}' > $HOME/.xinitrc
If you have an existing .xinitrc you will need to back it up first as that command will truncate the file.
There is also a newer enlightenment which is e17. This is more like a desktop and less like fluxbox. Though this is nice I actually prefer e16. Your preferences may differ.
d_mon
August 2nd, 2011, 02:10
Openbox is heavier than blackbox,fluxbox,etc...
I have a very fast computer - no inhibitions
i don't get it why are you concerned to use a 'decent' DE if like you said you have a 'very fast' pc...
graudeejs
August 2nd, 2011, 11:21
Openbox is heavier than blackbox,fluxbox,etc...
i don't get it why are you concerned to use a 'decent' DE if like you said you have a 'very fast' pc...
Heck, I have AMD Athlon(tm) II X4 600e Processor, 8GB Ram. The machine flies, but come-on, when I install KDE4, It takes all the pleasure of using it away.
btw, I recommend fvwm (and xmonad if you like developing stuff, especially in terminals)
valsorym
August 2nd, 2011, 11:54
Originally Posted by d_mon.
i don't get it why are you concerned to use a 'decent' DE if like you said you have a 'very fast' pc...
I like the compactness. My choice - to work on the console. I need a leash GUI for watching movies, drawing, and a fully functional Internet surfing.
For everything else, I configured the console, set the text browser. I can work without running X.
Originally Posted by killasmurf86.
bte, I recommend fvwm (and xmonad if you like developing stuff, especially in terminals)
Very interesting GUI. But the configuration is done using Perl. I'm more a fan of Python (or pure Sh). At the same time OpenBox can be configured using the utility "obmenu" and "obconf".
In addition, fvwm only recently (04/2011) appeared stable 2.6.x. Do not know how d_mon, but I like the already-tested tools for years.
valsorym
August 2nd, 2011, 12:17
Originally Posted by UNIXgod.
% which starte16 | awk '{print "exec " $1}' > $HOME/.xinitrc
Thank you. It works. But I did not like. It is much easier than Fluxbox but less pleasant than in OpenBox.
I guess my choice would fall on OpenBox.
graudeejs
August 2nd, 2011, 12:48
I like the compactness. My choice - to work on the console. I need a leash GUI for watching movies, drawing, and a fully functional Internet surfing.
For everything else, I configured the console, set the text browser. I can work without running X.
Very interesting GUI. But the configuration is done using Perl. I'm more a fan of Python (or pure Sh). At the same time OpenBox can be configured using the utility "obmenu" and "obconf".
In addition, fvwm only recently (04/2011) appeared stable 2.6.x. Do not know how d_mon, but I like the already-tested tools for years.
fvwm was always Stable. fvwm 2.7.x is also stable, it is just called development branch (or whatever), but it's rock stable
fvwm config is not done in any scripting language, fvwm has it's own config syntax.
However for better flexibility I use sh, to preprocess fvwm config file. (Could be any language)
valsorym
August 2nd, 2011, 13:17
# cd /usr/ports/x11-wm/fvwm && make && make install clean
# which fvwm | awk ‘{print “exec ” $1}’ > $HOME/.xinitrc
# startx
- Ok, I'll watch.
So far, not very well.
valsorym
August 2nd, 2011, 13:18
Thank you
graudeejs
August 2nd, 2011, 13:26
Thank you
Default fvwm is horribly ugly :)
valsorym
August 2nd, 2011, 13:34
Originally Posted by killasmurf86
Default fvwm is horribly ugly
It is a fact :)
valsorym
August 2nd, 2011, 19:40
Yes. My choice OpenBox. Topic can be closed. Thank you all.
UNIXgod
August 2nd, 2011, 19:44
Thank you. It works. But I did not like. It is much easier than Fluxbox but less pleasant than in OpenBox.
I guess my choice would fall on OpenBox.
e16 defaults need to be tweaked. I have mine themed. You will want to explore other themes. In some cases I have seen e16 themed so well you couldn't tell which wm was running.
http://themes.effx.us/previews
Openbox was originally a fork of either fluxbox or blackbox. fluxbox is a fork of blackbox. If I recall correctly openbox removes the slit and was rewritten from scratch in c. blackbox should have the lowest sloc. All are very respectable windows managers based on the same ideas.
valsorym
August 2nd, 2011, 20:09
Do you think it is better to use fluxbox | blackbox than OpenBox?
Purely your opinion.
jrm
August 2nd, 2011, 21:12
+1 for fluxbox. It has a toolbar, slit and tabbing included (optional) and flat, easy-to-edit configuration files.
valsorym
August 2nd, 2011, 21:15
Yes. Thank you.
bigearsbilly
August 3rd, 2011, 08:52
I use sawfish and Rox-Desktop with fluxbox panel.
lightweight fast, fun, easy and quick, with a desktop.
valsorym
August 3rd, 2011, 09:46
bigearsbilly Thank you.
valsorym
August 3rd, 2011, 09:55
sawfish very interesting desktop manager, Thanks.
bes
August 3rd, 2011, 10:22
My choice is Openbox with tint2 (http://www.freshports.org/x11/tint/) and wbar (http://www.freshports.org/x11/wbar/). This is more than ample for me.
valsorym
August 3rd, 2011, 11:13
Thanks. I am also inclined to OpenBox.
Originally Posted by bes.
My choice is Openbox with tint2 and wbar.
Thank you very much.
d_mon
August 3rd, 2011, 14:12
install e17 and you will be thankful!
http://trac.enlightenment.org/e/wiki/AboutEnlightenment
valsorym
August 3rd, 2011, 17:12
No. Thank you, I choose OpenBox. :)
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