The Openbox Configuration HOWTO

You can then open the configurator by typing obconf in your termi= nal. Next, you can go and add an entry for ObConf into your menu.xml so -it will show up in your Openbox menu. +it will show up in your Openbox menu. If the "editing the menu.xml file= " code=20 +listing above seemed too vague to be helpful, we'll use ObConf as an exa= mple of=20 +a menu entry:

@@ -329,8 +345,9 @@

=20

-(feh has many other options instead of --bg-scale [which will s=
cale the image
-to the screen dimensions]. Consult the feh documentation.)
+(feh has many other options instead of --bg-scale,=20
+which will scale the image to the screen dimensions.
+Consult the feh documentation.)
 $ feh --bg-scale /path/to/image.jpg

=20 @@ -355,11 +372,12 @@

=20

-Installing nitrogen and getting it into your Openbox menu requires a few= more=20 -steps than are readily apparent. Firstly, and most obviously, you need = to emerge=20 -nitrogen. Due to this=20 -library dependency bug, you will also need to emerge librsvg to avoid=20 -a runtime termination error. Secondly, you need to run nitrogen with yo= ur=20 +Installing nitrogen and getting it into your Openbox menu requires a few= more +steps than are readily apparent. Firstly, and most obviously, you need t= o +emerge nitrogen. Due to this library de= pendency +bug, you may also need to emerge --oneshot librsvg to avoid= a +runtime termination error. Secondly, you need to run nitrogen with your backgrounds folder appended:

=20 @@ -369,7 +387,7 @@ =20

Thirdly, you can set your background image, but it will not be there aft= er you=20 -logout. Just as with feh, you need to restore your background by editin= g your=20 +logout. Just as with feh, you need to restore your background by editing= your=20 autostart.sh script to have the following line:

=20 @@ -389,285 +407,332 @@ Programs to use with Openbox

-This list =20

-The following is a list of some programs which you might want to use wit= hin -your Openbox environment. While the list contains numerous terminal emul= ators, -file managers, panels, and more, it should by no means be considered -exhaustive. If none of the programs listed fit your needs, please check = the -appropriate categories in Portage for more options. +The following is a list of some programs which you might want to use wit= hin your +Openbox environment. While the list contains numerous terminal emulators= , file +managers, panels, and more, it should by no means be considered exhausti= ve. If +none of the programs listed fit your needs, please check the appropriate +categories in Portage for more options.

=20

- Terminal emulators =20

- Evil= VTE -is an extremely lightweight terminal emulator based on (you guessed it) = VTE. It -supports tabs, multiple encodings, as well as an easy and extensible -configuration file. -
-Mrxvt is a -multi-tabbed rxvt clone with XFT, transparent background and CJK support= . It -also features session support for each tab. -
-Aterm -supports transparency and backwards compatibility with rxvt. It was orig= inally -designed for the AfterStep window manager, but easily integrates with ot= her -environments. -
-Eterm is a -terminal based on vt102 and designed to be a more feature-rich replaceme= nt for -xterm. -
-Rxvt-= unicode -is a clone of rxvt that supports Unicode, daemons, embedded perl, and mu= ltiple -fonts simultaneously. -
-Terminal<= /uri> is -the VTE-based default for the Xfce desktop environment. It is a little o= n the -bloated side for use with Openbox, as it pulls in many libraries for Xfc= e. -
+ EvilVT= E is + an extremely lightweight terminal emulator based on (you guessed it)= VTE. It + supports tabs, multiple encodings, as well as an easy and extensible + configuration file. +
+ Mrx= vt + is a multi-tabbed rxvt clone with XFT, transparent background and CJ= K + support. It also features session support for each tab. +
+ Ate= rm + supports transparency and backwards compatibility with rxvt. It was + originally designed for the AfterStep window manager, but easily int= egrates + with other environments. +
+ Ete= rm + is a terminal based on vt102 and designed to be a more feature-rich + replacement for xterm. +
+ R= xvt-unicode + is a clone of rxvt that supports Unicode, daemons, embedded perl, an= d + multiple fonts simultaneously. +
+ Termi= nal + is the VTE-based default for the Xfce desktop environment, so it doe= s + require some Xfce libraries to run. However, it is still fairly spee= dy, and + supports transparency and is easily customized. +

=20

-File Managers +File managers =20

-PCManF= M -is the lightweight filemanager from LXDE. It supports tabbed browsing, d= rag and -drop, thumnails for images, bookmarks, volume management, searching, and= more. -It also provides supports for managing the desktop background and drawin= g -desktop icons (both optionally). -
-Thunar= is -the standard file manager from Xfce. It features a bulk renamer, -user-customisable actions, and an extension framework. Since it depends = on many -Xfce libraries, it isn't as lightweight as PCManFM, but it's still slimm= ed down -by comparison to other file managers like Nautilus (from GNOME), and Kon= queror -(from KDE). -
-Nautilus= is -the powerful file manager from the GNOME desktop environment. It feature= s -volume management, thumbnails for images, searching, and some system -configuration. As it depends on many of the GNOME libraries for proper -function, it can seem a heavy compared to some of the other file manager= s. -
-Gentoo<= /uri> (no -relation to this glorious Linux distribution) is a two-pane style file m= anager -based on GTK+ 1.x. It is incredibly lightweight, but lacks a majority of= the -features now prominent in modern file managers. It should definitely be -considered for older hardware, or if you are wanting a barebones setup. -
-emelFM= 2 -is another file manager in the vein of Midnight Commander. It features a -three-pane window, and is requires GTK+ 2.6.x or higher. As with the Gen= too -file manager (listed above), it is barebones and does not include many f= eatures -prevalent in newer file managers. -
+ Th= unar + is the standard file manager from Xfce. It features a bulk renamer, + user-customisable actions, and an extension framework, along with ma= ny + optional plugins, such as media tag editing. It depends on several X= fce + libraries, but it's still slimmed down compared to other file manage= rs like + Nautilus (from GNOME), and Konqueror (from KDE). +
+ Naut= ilus + is the powerful file manager from the GNOME desktop environment. It = features + volume management, thumbnails for images, searching, and some system + configuration. As it depends on many of the GNOME libraries for prop= er + function, it can seem a heavy compared to some of the other file man= agers. +
+ Gen= too + (no relation to this glorious Linux distribution) is a two-pane styl= e file + manager. It is incredibly lightweight, but lacks a some features now + prominent in modern file managers. It should definitely be considere= d for + older hardware, or if you are wanting a barebones setup. +
+ emelFM2= is + another file manager in the vein of Midnight Commander. It features = a + two-pane window. As with the Gentoo file manager (listed above), it = is + barebones and does not include many features prevalent in newer file + managers. However, it also offers a few features not found in other = file + managers, such as a built-in commandline in a separate pane. +

Desktop management =20

-Though PCManFM is -mainly a file manager, it also gives you the option to manage the deskto= p -background (instead of using feh or nitrogen) and draw desktop icons. It= should -be noted that with the current release (0.5), it is not readily possible= to get -rid of the default "My Documents" icon on the desktop. -
-iDesk is a -simple program used to draw desktop icons. It supports shadowed and -anti-aliased fonts, PNG images, "snap-to-grid" placement, and changing t= he -desktop background. -
+ iDes= k is + a simple program used to draw desktop icons. It supports shadowed an= d + anti-aliased fonts, PNG images, "snap-to-grid" placement, and changi= ng the + desktop background. +

=20

Panels =20

-Tint2 is a simple pa= nel and -taskbar specifically made for Openbox3 (based on the ttm code). It suppo= rts -colour/transparency, a clock, and drag and drop between virtual desktops= . -Currently, it is not available in the official Portage tree, but is avai= lable -in overlays. -
-PyPane= l -is an easily customised panel written in Python and C. It features -transparency, shading, tinting, location and layout configuration, font = type, -autohiding, application launcher, clock, and more. -
-LXPan= el -is the default panel and taskbar from LXDE. It features a launcher, menu= , -clock, and a GUI-based configurator. It is feature-rich while depending = on very -few packages, making it a good choice for a lean system. -
-Xfce4-= panel -is the default panel from the Xfce desktop environment. It supports appl= ication -launchers, detachable menus, a pager, tasklist, clock, and more. It does= , -however, require a few of the Xfce libraries which are not dependencies = of some -other panels. -
+ PyPanel= is + an easily customised panel written in Python and C. It features + transparency, shading, tinting, location and layout configuration, f= ont + type, autohiding, application launcher, clock, and more. +
+ Xf= ce4-panel + is the default panel from the Xfce desktop environment. It supports + application launchers, detachable menus, a pager, tasklist, clock, a= pplets, + and more. It does, however, require a few of the Xfce libraries whi= ch are + not dependencies of some other panels. +
+ FBpanel= is + a simple, extremely lightweight panel that supports window lists, la= unchers, + a clock, and a few other goodies. It's not the most featureful panel= , and it + can be cumbersome to configure, but it needs only GTK+ to run. +

=20

-Pagers / Systrays +Pagers and systrays =20

-Net= WMpager is=20 -an EWMH-compliant pager that integrates nicely into any of the *box envi= ronments. It=20 -is not as obtrusive, and is much more readily customisable than many of = the other=20 -available pagers. -
-BBpage= r is a=20 -desktop pager that was originally written for BlackBox, but works nicely= with Openbox=20 -as well. It does have some BlackBox dependencies though. -
-Dock= er is the=20 -system tray that is made especially for Openbox. It has no extra depend= encies, and=20 -gives you the ability to view and use tray icons for supported GTK and Q= T-based=20 -applications. -
-Trayer<= /uri> is a system=20 -tray that was modified from the FBpanel code, and is often used with FVW= M. One of its=20 -perks is that it supports transparency. -
+ NetW= Mpager + is an EWMH-compliant pager that integrates nicely into any of the *b= ox + environments. It is not as obtrusive, and is much more readily custo= misable + than many of the other available pagers. +
+ BBpager= is + a desktop pager that was originally written for BlackBox, but works = nicely + with Openbox as well. It does have some BlackBox dependencies though= . +
+ Docke= r is + the system tray that is made especially for Openbox. It has no extra + dependencies, and gives you the ability to view and use tray icons f= or + supported GTK and QT-based applications. +
+ Tra= yer + is a system tray that was modified from the FBpanel code, and is oft= en used + with FVWM. One of its perks is that it supports transparency. +

=20

-Session Management +Session management =20

- -LXsession-Lite is the stripped down session manager from LXDE. It= is=20 -designed to remember applications that the user was running at the last = logout,=20 -and to automatically restart those programs. It also supports the HAL d= aemon. -
- -XFCE4-session is the session manager from, you guessed it, XFCE. = It is=20 -capable of saving several sessions, and provides methods for logging out= , rebooting,=20 -and suspending your computer. It does, however, have many XFCE and othe= r library=20 -dependencies. -
+ + Xfce4-session is the session manager from, you guessed it, Xfc= e. It + is capable of saving several sessions, and provides methods for logg= ing out, + rebooting, and suspending your computer. It does, however, have man= y Xfce + dependencies. +

=20

Configuration tools =20

-ObConf<= /uri> is a GUI=20 -application allowing you to customise the Openbox window manager without= manually=20 -editing .config/openbox/rc.conf. -
-= LXappearance is=20 -a GTK theme and icon configurator used with LXDE. It provides a nice gr= aphical interface=20 -for setting the theme and icons, while depending on very few extra libra= ries. -
-= GTK-ChTheme is=20 -a simple application allowing for easier switching of GTK themes. Curre= ntly, it does not=20 -allow for the switching of icon themes. -
+ ObC= onf + is a GUI application allowing you to customise the Openbox window ma= nager + without manually editing ~/.config/openbox/rc.conf. +
+ G= TK-ChTheme + is a simple application allowing for easier switching of GTK themes = and your + font. Currently, it does not allow for the switching of icon themes. +
+ GTK-theme-switch + is another simple application that lets you change your GTK theme. +

=20

Miscellaneous =20

-Conky is a -lightweight system monitor that can natively display over 250 objects, -including date and time, CPU usage, memory usage, IMAP/POP3 email, top -processes, and even info from your music player. It is highly customisab= le both -in appearance and data display. -
-Lea= fpad is=20 -the default text editor from LXDE. It is very lightweight, but includes= features=20 -like codeset options, and the ability to undo/redo without limits. -
-feh= is a -simple image viewer that runs from the terminal, but it also has many ot= her -features. It can display a slideshow of images, create an index print, -dynamically zoom, and set the desktop background (detailed instructions -above). -
-GPic= View is=20 -a GUI-based image viewer. Though it has more dependencies than feh, it = is incredibly=20 -quick to load and run. This is the default image viewer from LXDE. -
-SLiM is the Simple=20 -Login Manager, which allows you to login to your Openbox session via a g= raphical=20 -interface instead of the terminal. It has very few dependencies, and su= pports many=20 -external themes, but should not be used on machines that require remote = logins. -
+ Con= ky + is a lightweight system monitor that can display over 250 objects, i= ncluding + date and time, CPU usage, memory usage, IMAP/POP3 email, top process= es, + hardware sensor data, and even info from your music player. It is hi= ghly + customisable both in appearance and data display. We also have a Conky configuration guide ava= ilable. +
+ Leaf= pad + is a simple text editor. It is very lightweight, but includes featur= es like + codeset options, and the ability to undo/redo without limits. +
+ feh is a + simple image viewer that runs from the terminal, but it also has man= y other + features. It can display a slideshow of images, create an index prin= t, + dynamically zoom, and set the desktop background (detailed instructi= ons + above). +
+ SLiM<= /uri> is + the Simple Login Manager, which allows you to login to your Openbox = session + via a graphical interface instead of the terminal. It has very few + dependencies, and supports many themes, but should not be used on ma= chines + that require remote logins. +

=20 @@ -677,17 +742,16 @@ Openbox inside desktop environments

-LXDE (default) +LXDE =20

If installing each component of a working environment sounds like a litt= le too much customisation, but you still want the flexibility of Ope= nbox, -you may want to look into a desktop environment that uses Openbox as its -default window manager. That environment is LXDE, the Lightweight X Desktop Envi= ronment. -Designed to require even less system resources than Xfce, it is built ar= ound -Openbox and some of the packages mentioned above (like PCManFM and LXpan= el). +you may want to look into a desktop environment that uses Openbox as its= default +window manager. That environment is L= XDE, +the Lightweight X Desktop Environment. Designed to require even fewer sy= stem +resources than Xfce, it is built around Openbox.

=20 @@ -699,7 +763,7 @@

If you already have a GNOME environment installed, you may just want to = replace the Metacity window manager with Openbox. Fortunately, this is quite a s= imple -task! You will need to fire up your favourite editor, open your +task! You will need to fire up your favourite editor, open your ~/.xinitrc file, and put the following command inside it:

=20 @@ -708,7 +772,7 @@