Windows Manager

[psic]

Once E17 hits stable, though, I am there.

Me too. I figure in about five years, what do you think?

Just kidding I can't wait for it to come out, though.

I used Xfce for a long time, but just recently switched back to KDE, it just has some really nice features I found lacking in xfce (a nice example is the Konqueror browser, which I use for file browsing, it's terminal emulator is just awsome).

[mahlerfan]

So I'm just curious to see, who uses other Windows Manager, and how do you use it? What file manager you use? What other apps and gadget you use in your daily life? Or is everyone pretty much switched to KDE/GNOME/XGL+compiz/beryl ???

Windows managers and desktop environments are not the same. Gnome uses the metacity windows manager, you can just change it to something like fluxbox.

A desktop environment is windows manager, file roller, applications... it's everything. A windows manager is only one part of that, albeit an important part. So I don't think that it's right to compare say gnome to openbox.

If somebody only uses a windows manager that's just to say that they have decided not to use a complete desktop environment. Comparing an incomplete desktop environment to a full one is like apples and oranges.

I see something like a lightweight windows manager has the first step in creating a customized desktop environment. Pick the file roller that you want, the icon themes that you want, your favorite apps...

[Cabhan]

One thing I've found with the window managers is that, aside from being very lightweight and minimalist, you have a LOT more control. Because they don't include their own apps, you're able to use programs designed for the purpose rather than a side component.

I hit upon a good example last night. I was helping my friend set up his laptop (recently got SuSE on it), and the Play, Next, Previous, etc. keys were not working. This is because he uses Rhythmbox, and even though we mapped the keys in Gnome to "Play", "Next Song", etc., they would not affect Rhythmbox.

Because I happen to know of other programs that do this, I was able to install a different program (LinEAK) that gives you more control (you give it specific commands rather than general ideas). I prefer this approach much more than the "Make our own app for everything and tie them together".


As to the other questions: I use Rox as my file manager (I highly, highly recommend it) and good ol' xterm for my terminal.

Me too. I figure in about five years, what do you think?

Hah, I know. Better be the best window manager ever created.

[mahlerfan]

That is very cool.

[ImNeat]

Fluxbox for laptop and Gnome for desktop.

[duffman108]

Fluxbox. It just pwns.