Has anyone ever been able to leave openbox for good?

Borosai · 2009-03-01 00:46:41

Short answer: Not really.

Long answer: Openbox just feels right. It's almost not there: no panels, no icons, nothing. It only does what you tell it to do, which I really appreciate. And if you take the time to configure it properly, it is quite powerful. I gave Awesome a look the other day, and although I like it and I feel it can be useful, I just don't feel like messing with its configuration right now. So I just decided to finish fine-tuning my rc.xml (which makes my eyes bleed) and stick with Openbox. It's what you make it, and stable too.

Cyanidepoison · 2009-03-01 00:52:41

Borosai: Dwm has no configuration files.

adamlau · 2009-03-01 01:21:00

And JWM only has one. Both dwm and JWM light up Openbox.

Inxsible · 2009-03-01 01:34:15

adamlau wrote:

And JWM only has one. Both dwm and JWM light up Openbox.

except in the "looks" department. Openbox is much more polished. JWM on the other hand uses very drab fonts and look and feel.

I have been using JWM since about a week..so I might not know everything about it and maybe there is a way to change the look and feel, but I don't know it yet.

And even though Openbox technically has 2 config files(not counting the autostart), I hardly use the menu.xml. I have configured everything installed on my machine via keybindings and all I do is hit the correct combination and voila. I only have to change the rc.xml in that case. So basically its ratpoison, with a better look

Last edited by Inxsible (2009-03-01 01:36:24)

scottuss · 2009-03-01 02:20:21

I used Openbox on my EEE 701 thinking that Gnome would be too heavy (it was!) and I enjoyed it for a while but certain things annoyed me so I switched to XFCE on the eee and use Gnome on my laptop and main desktop. I love Gnome and would rather have that on the EEE too but XFCE will do for now

So yeah I guess I did leave Openbox. I really do see it's appeal and understand why people use it, but it's not for me.

handy · 2009-03-01 03:00:43

I used Xfce for a while, which I really like, then tried a few other WM's, but came back to Openbox, but now I use the xfce4-panel, so my Openbox system looks just like it did in Xfce; as I don't use icons or screen backgrounds.

The only thing I've lost is a session-manager, but I'll probably get around to using Devils Pie to configure the four app's that I always have open on different screens to open where I want them. As currently I call them all from the autostart.sh file & they all land on desktop 1, from where I just drag each of them to the desktop on which I want them reside.

I've just upgraded Xfce today, was surprised (as I rarely ever use it these days) at how slow it is changing from desktop to desktop when I want to access a different app.

pogeymanz · 2009-03-01 03:37:09

handy wrote:

I used Xfce for a while, which I really like, then tried a few other WM's, but came back to Openbox, but now I use the xfce4-panel, so my Openbox system looks just like it did in Xfce; as I don't use icons or screen backgrounds.
The only thing I've lost is a session-manager, but I'll probably get around to using Devils Pie to configure the four app's that I always have open on different screens to open where I want them. As currently I call them all from the autostart.sh file & they all land on desktop 1, from where I just drag each of them to the desktop on which I want them reside.
I've just upgraded Xfce today, was surprised (as I rarely ever use it these days) at how slow it is changing from desktop to desktop when I want to access a different app.

Are you sure you need Devils Pie to do that? In your rc.xml you can set per-application settings so that app X starts on desktop Y, etc.

handy · 2009-03-01 04:54:14

Thanks pogeymanz, I have been hoping that there was a built in way to do it.

I'll have a look & see if I can work it out.

[Edit:] I had a look in the rc.xml, & I had a look through the <desktops> section, but it didn't give me any clues as to what to write.

So I guess I'll have to pursue it further on the Openbox site.

Last edited by handy (2009-03-01 05:19:37)

doorknob60 · 2009-03-01 05:31:44

Openbox was my favorite for a while, but KDE 4.2 is just too hard to pass up. Openbox is a very close second though, and actually I'm considering going back. Also I use it on my old laptop that has Debian Lenny (well LXDE, but that uses OB). KDE would crawl on my laptop

Wintervenom · 2009-03-01 05:43:04

I am crossed between Openbox and Xfce, so I use what I think are the best between it, Xfce, and LXDE.

Last edited by Wintervenom (2009-08-03 13:58:24)

Inxsible · 2009-03-01 05:47:50

handy wrote:

Thanks pogeymanz, I have been hoping that there was a built in way to do it.
I'll have a look & see if I can work it out.
[Edit:] I had a look in the rc.xml, & I had a look through the <desktops> section, but it didn't give me any clues as to what to write.
So I guess I'll have to pursue it further on the Openbox site.

<application name="rTorrent" class="URxvt">
      <desktop>4</desktop>
      <maximized>yes</maximized>
      <layer>above</layer>
    </application>

The above listed under <applications> at the very end of the rc.xml file starts up rTorrent on my desktop # 4, maximized.

<application name="urxvt">
      <decor>no</decor>
      <focus>yes</focus>
      <position>
        <x>center</x>
        <y>20</y>
      </position>
      <maximized>true</maximized> #Only if you want a full size terminal.
    </application>

This starts up my urxvt without window decor, maximized and I also set the transparency using .Xdefaults.

Last edited by Inxsible (2009-03-01 05:49:32)

handy · 2009-03-01 06:48:07

Inxsible wrote:

handy wrote:
Thanks pogeymanz, I have been hoping that there was a built in way to do it.
I'll have a look & see if I can work it out.
[Edit:] I had a look in the rc.xml, & I had a look through the <desktops> section, but it didn't give me any clues as to what to write.
So I guess I'll have to pursue it further on the Openbox site.
<application name="rTorrent" class="URxvt">
      <desktop>4</desktop>
      <maximized>yes</maximized>
      <layer>above</layer>
    </application>
The above listed under <applications> at the very end of the rc.xml file starts up rTorrent on my desktop # 4, maximized.
<application name="urxvt">
      <decor>no</decor>
      <focus>yes</focus>
      <position>
        <x>center</x>
        <y>20</y>
      </position>
      <maximized>true</maximized> #Only if you want a full size terminal.
    </application>
This starts up my urxvt without window decor, maximized and I also set the transparency using .Xdefaults.

Thanks very much Inxsible. :-)

I am pretty tired & have been making hard work out of it today.

Your examples will make it a great deal easier.

Much obliged.

pogeymanz · 2009-03-01 15:21:34

handy wrote:

Thanks pogeymanz, I have been hoping that there was a built in way to do it.
I'll have a look & see if I can work it out.
[Edit:] I had a look in the rc.xml, & I had a look through the <desktops> section, but it didn't give me any clues as to what to write.
So I guess I'll have to pursue it further on the Openbox site.

This is what is included in the default rc.xml:

  <!--
  # this is an example with comments through out. use these to make your
  # own rules, but without the comments of course.

  <application name="first element of window's WM_CLASS property (see xprop)"
              class="second element of window's WM_CLASS property (see xprop)"
               role="the window's WM_WINDOW_ROLE property (see xprop)"
               type="the window's _NET_WM_WINDOW_TYPE (if unspecified, then
                       it is dialog for child windows)">
  # the name or the class can be set, or both. this is used to match
  # windows when they appear. role can optionally be set as well, to
  # further restrict your matches.

  # the name, class, and role use simple wildcard matching such as those
  # used by a shell. you can use * to match any characters and ? to match
  # any single character.

  # the type is one of: normal, dialog, splash, utility, menu, toolbar, dock,
  #    or desktop

  # when multiple rules match a window, they will all be applied, in the
  # order that they appear in this list


    # each element can be left out or set to 'default' to specify to not 
    # change that attribute of the window

    <decor>yes</decor>
    # enable or disable window decorations

    <shade>no</shade>
    # make the window shaded when it appears, or not

    <position force="no">
      # the position is only used if both an x and y coordinate are provided
      # (and not set to 'default')
      # when force is "yes", then the window will be placed here even if it
      # says you want it placed elsewhere.  this is to override buggy
      # applications who refuse to behave
      <x>center</x>
      # a number like 50, or 'center' to center on screen. use a negative number
      # to start from the right (or bottom for <y>), ie -50 is 50 pixels from the
      # right edge (or bottom).
      <y>200</y>
      <monitor>1</monitor>
      # specifies the monitor in a xinerama setup.
      # 1 is the first head, or 'mouse' for wherever the mouse is
    </position>

    <focus>yes</focus>
    # if the window should try be given focus when it appears. if this is set
    # to yes it doesn't guarantee the window will be given focus. some
    # restrictions may apply, but Openbox will try to

    <desktop>1</desktop>
    # 1 is the first desktop, 'all' for all desktops

    <layer>normal</layer>
    # 'above', 'normal', or 'below'

    <iconic>no</iconic>
    # make the window iconified when it appears, or not

    <skip_pager>no</skip_pager>
    # asks to not be shown in pagers

    <skip_taskbar>no</skip_taskbar>
    # asks to not be shown in taskbars. window cycling actions will also
    # skip past such windows

    <fullscreen>yes</fullscreen>
    # make the window in fullscreen mode when it appears

    <maximized>true</maximized>
    # 'Horizontal', 'Vertical' or boolean (yes/no)
  </application>

  # end of the example
-->

So, to make Deluge always start on desktop 4, you would add an entry like this:

<application name="Deluge">
  <desktop>4</desktop>
</application>

You can also set what the position on the screen should be and if it should be maximized or minimized, etc.

EDIT: I should've finished reading all the posts so I would've known that Inxsible beat me to it../

Last edited by pogeymanz (2009-03-01 15:24:20)

djnm · 2009-03-01 16:04:10

I left Openbox for dwm a while ago and never looked back.

EDIT: spelling

Last edited by djnm (2009-03-01 16:05:10)

handy · 2009-03-02 01:58:12

Thanks pogeymanz, I appreciate your post too.

viga · 2009-03-02 03:50:46

DWM is so convenient. Yes I left openbox for dwm

dannytatom · 2009-03-02 03:54:19

I have yet to find a tiling wm I like enough to leave OB for good.

SLKDK · 2009-03-02 05:20:29

I have had a hard time leaving LXDE (Openbox as WM), but with the latest XFCE 4.6 I might be able to. Works really fast and nice. And much more like a complete DE.

celthias · 2009-03-02 07:11:31

Most of my attempts at leaving openbox usually result in me realising what I've got and how spoiled I am. Not to say I am against trying new stuff (I'm actually really intrigued by the new xfce, as well as dwm, pekwm and awesome), but it's a nice feeling having a setup you're really comfortable and fast in.

mikesd · 2009-03-02 08:13:49

I used to use openbox and did so for quite a while. Probably for around 6 - 12 months I would guess. Before that I used Fluxbox for about the same time too. I now use Xmonad and am pretty happy with it. It's configured as I like it and I don't do much to it's settings day to day. I would like to try awesome one day too. Not sure if my *box days are over for good. May have a look at flux/open box again sometime. Openbox would be my first choice for a windowing wm.

ninjaprawn · 2009-03-03 00:40:03

i have kinda left openbox. got compiz-fusion as a standalone wm on my main monitor, and have it set up exactly like openbox, except the pipemenus, which compiz-deskmenu cant do! cant tell any difference, except nicer & faster effects than with xcompmgr!

still have openbox on my low res tv tho, dont need anything other than vlc there!

jt512 · 2009-07-05 05:59:48

Left openbox a month ago for a tiling WM (xmonad). I can't imagine ever going back to any floating WM.

thayer · 2009-07-05 06:26:27

I resisted the urge to post here back in Oct/Nov 2008 when I had switched again back to tiling window managers after sitting on the fence for so long. At the time I thought for sure I'd be back within weeks. However, it's has been about 9 months now and I am quite happy with dwm. I have streamlined my GUI so much (and with so little) that I can't imagine ever using a stacking window manager again.

dwm ftw!

iphitus · 2009-07-05 08:35:47

I've left openbox. Back on tiling WMs.

I'm using echinus with a few patches to make it's floating layout behave like openbox and make tiling work well on a netbook. I can't see myself going back to openbox, if I ever need floating layout, this patched echinus has a perfect one.

Only thing I have been missing is the graphical openbox alt-tab - but I'll be replicating that too soon.

James

Last edited by iphitus (2009-07-05 08:36:36)

moljac024 · 2009-07-05 09:51:43

iphitus wrote:

I've left openbox. Back on tiling WMs.
I'm using echinus with a few patches to make it's floating layout behave like openbox and make tiling work well on a netbook. I can't see myself going back to openbox, if I ever need floating layout, this patched echinus has a perfect one.
Only thing I have been missing is the graphical openbox alt-tab - but I'll be replicating that too soon.
James

Hmm, sounds interesting...what patches are you talking about ?

Arch Linux

#76 2009-03-01 00:46:41

Re: Has anyone ever been able to leave openbox for good?

#77 2009-03-01 00:52:41

Re: Has anyone ever been able to leave openbox for good?

#78 2009-03-01 01:21:00

Re: Has anyone ever been able to leave openbox for good?

#79 2009-03-01 01:34:15

Re: Has anyone ever been able to leave openbox for good?

#80 2009-03-01 02:20:21

Re: Has anyone ever been able to leave openbox for good?

#81 2009-03-01 03:00:43

Re: Has anyone ever been able to leave openbox for good?

#82 2009-03-01 03:37:09

Re: Has anyone ever been able to leave openbox for good?

#83 2009-03-01 04:54:14

Re: Has anyone ever been able to leave openbox for good?

#84 2009-03-01 05:31:44

Re: Has anyone ever been able to leave openbox for good?

#85 2009-03-01 05:43:04

Re: Has anyone ever been able to leave openbox for good?

#86 2009-03-01 05:47:50

Re: Has anyone ever been able to leave openbox for good?

#87 2009-03-01 06:48:07

Re: Has anyone ever been able to leave openbox for good?

#88 2009-03-01 15:21:34

Re: Has anyone ever been able to leave openbox for good?

#89 2009-03-01 16:04:10

Re: Has anyone ever been able to leave openbox for good?

#90 2009-03-02 01:58:12

Re: Has anyone ever been able to leave openbox for good?

#91 2009-03-02 03:50:46

Re: Has anyone ever been able to leave openbox for good?

#92 2009-03-02 03:54:19

Re: Has anyone ever been able to leave openbox for good?

#93 2009-03-02 05:20:29

Re: Has anyone ever been able to leave openbox for good?

#94 2009-03-02 07:11:31

Re: Has anyone ever been able to leave openbox for good?

#95 2009-03-02 08:13:49

Re: Has anyone ever been able to leave openbox for good?

#96 2009-03-03 00:40:03

Re: Has anyone ever been able to leave openbox for good?

#97 2009-07-05 05:59:48

Re: Has anyone ever been able to leave openbox for good?

#98 2009-07-05 06:26:27

Re: Has anyone ever been able to leave openbox for good?

#99 2009-07-05 08:35:47

Re: Has anyone ever been able to leave openbox for good?

#100 2009-07-05 09:51:43

Re: Has anyone ever been able to leave openbox for good?

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