Lightest combination of WM & DE's

silversnakeeyes · 2009-12-28 19:24:07

I originally was going to do different sessions of arch, so that I could have one for basic use, and another session specifically for minimal resource use for graphic design in gimp, emulating flash in sun Vbox, and coding in scite. But I have no idea how to do that, so I'm just gonna do a full re install on a different partition.

Lightest WM, and DE that still maintain usability?
(Really all I care about is the simple stuff when I say usability, without being a tiling wm, ability to skin/change color scheme would be nice though.)
__
So far I've found:

PekWM, which seems the best option ATM
tint2, (but where am I going to have an apps menu?)
pcmanfm, for wallpaper changing, desktop managing, file exploring and whatnot
and conky, just because.

reed9 · 2009-12-28 19:39:55

+1 to pekwm. It's what I use. I can generally keep memory usage at <100MB RAM.

I use lxpanel, which is lightweight but does have a dynamically populated app menu and generally pcmanfm, thunar, or just mc for a file manager.

Nitrogen or feh for setting the desktop wallpaper.

silversnakeeyes · 2009-12-28 19:56:50

I'm using lxpanel now, I got lazy when installing and just got the whole lxde package, slim, fast, and minimal. PekWM it is, I've also heard of RatPoison, and tinyWM, but I don't know too much about those...

reed9 · 2009-12-28 19:59:59

I haven't used ratpoison, but their schtick is to reduce or eliminate the use of the mouse in a graphical environment. Hence the name rat+poison.

markp1989 · 2009-12-28 22:30:18

i been using xmonad recently

cold boot total memory usage is 35mb,

browsing firefox with a few tabs is 75mb (unless there is flash on the page, then its closer to 100mb)

edit: its a tilling wm, so not what your looking for,

Last edited by markp1989 (2009-12-28 22:50:55)

mythus · 2009-12-28 22:45:09

Greetings,

Out of all of the light wieght wm's Pekwm really isn't that light weight. In all, it uses more resources than Fluxbox. It is however more lightweight than other offerings, especially full blown DE's.

The lightest floating WM I have played with would be JWM. I am right now experimenting with it and it is extremely light and fast, and amazingly configurable with all things considered. There are of course certain limitations, like you can't change the decorations, but you can make whole new color schemes, including gradients. JWM allows for swallowing, includes a systray, and it's xml-based config file is actually very easy to use IMO.

I set my JWM up using advice from the arch wiki, using parcillite for clipboard support, thundar for file manager, and xfdesktop for desktop support. I am also tying orage to it's clock for calendar support. You can go even lighter I think though if you use pcmanfm or ROX filer instead of thundar + xfdesktop.

But anyways, if you are really wanting to use the lightest FLOATING wm, you can't go wrong with JWM. Just gotta fix it up some and get used to the.. er.. outdated somewhat windowish look it has. If you want lighter, you'd have to go with a tiling.

Also IceWM is very light as well. Not as light as JWM, but much lighter than PekWM. If you like PekWM's grouping, then perhaps fluxbox would be a better bet. It is lighter by some than pekwm.

Just some ideas. PekWM is a lovely WM, but if you want really light, then you might want to look deeper.

rhfcaesar · 2009-12-28 22:58:17

+1 to JWM
It's light weight and customizable. The tray button is a very interesting device.

Wintervenom · 2009-12-28 23:21:57

Maybe this script could take care of you for an applications menu. All that's needed is Dmenu, and to bind the script to a keyboard shortcut.
EDIT: Added comments and minor changes.

#!/bin/dash
### Dmenu Launcher #############
# Version 0.2 by Scott Garrett #
# Wintervenom [(at)] gmail.com #
################################

# Path to XDG shortcut (*.desktop) directories.
xdg_paths="/usr/share/applications
/usr/local/share/applications
$XDG_DATA_HOME/applications"

# Dmenu command.
dm='dmenu -i'

# Returns the friendly names from XDG shortcuts and the names of
# executables (according to $PATH).
# Syntax:
#   get_app_names <path> [<path> ...]
get_app_names () {
  # Go through the list of XDG shortcut directories that we were fed.
  until [ -z "$1" ]; do
    # Return a the list of friendly names from the XDG shortcut files,
    # replacing the "Name=" part with a space, so we can later tell if
    # the user chose an XDG shortcut or an executable.
    [ -d "$1" ] && grep -h '^Name=' "$1/"*.desktop | sed -e 's:Name=: :'
    shift
  done
  # Now, tack on the list of regular executables.
  dmenu_path
}

# Look for an XDG shortcut by its friendly name and return the 'Exec'
# parameter inside it.  If we find more than one XDG shortcut with the
# same friendly name, we just return all of their 'Exec' parameters.
# Syntax:
#   get_xdg_app_cmd <path> [<path> ...] -n <XDG friendly name>
get_xdg_app_cmd () {
  # Grab the friendly name we're supposed to be looking for from the
  # parameters.
  name=`echo "$*" | sed 's:^.*-n ::'`
  # Loop through the XDG shortcut paths.
  until [ -z "$1" ]; do
    # Return the paths to the XDG shortcuts that contain the friendly
    # name we're seeking.
    [ -d "$1" ] && grep -l "^Name=$name$" "$1/"*.desktop
    shift
    # Get out of this loop if we hit the friendly name switch.
    [ "$1" = '-n' ] && break
  # Now, we go through our search results...
  done | while read file; do
    # ...and grab the 'Exec' parameter from each of them, getting rid
    # of the extra stuff we don't need.
    grep '^Exec=' "$file" | sed -e 's:^Exec=::' -e 's: %.::'
  done
}

# The reason this is a function is so that we can see only the first
# parameter -- the name of the executable.  We don't give a crap about
# the users arguments if he or she entered any.
program_exists () {
  which "$1"
}

# Ask the user to select a program to launch.
app=`get_app_names $xdg_paths | $dm -p 'Execute:'`
# Quit if he or she selected nothing.
[ ! "$app" ] && exit
# Figure out whether or not the application selected was an executable
# or an XDG shortcut by seeing if it started with a space.
if [ ! "`echo "$app" | cut -d' ' -f1`" ]; then
  # If it did, it was an XDG shortcut, and we need to get a list of
  # the shortcuts by that name, just in case there's more than one.
  app=`get_xdg_app_cmd $xdg_paths -n $app`
  # If there's more than one, we ask the user which target executable
  # he or she would like to launch.
  [ "`echo "$app" | wc -l`" != '1' ] && app=`echo "$app" | $dm -p 'Which program?'`
  # Quit it they selected nothing.
  [ -z "$app" ] && exit
fi
# Check and see if the program (without params) exists, and launch it
# (with params), if so.
program_exists $app && exec $app &

Last edited by Wintervenom (2009-12-29 00:12:00)

markp1989 · 2009-12-28 23:36:06

Wintervenom wrote:

Maybe this script could take care of you for an applications menu. All that's needed is Dmenu, and to bind the script to a keyboard shortcut.

#!/bin/dash
### Dmenu Launcher #############
# Version 0.2 by Scott Garrett #
# Wintervenom [(at)] gmail.com #
################################
xdg_paths="/usr/share/applications
/usr/local/share/applications
$XDG_DATA_HOME/applications"
dm='dmenu -i'

get_app_names () {
  until [ -z "$1" ]; do
    if [ -d "$1" ]; then
      grep -h '^Name=' "$1/"*.desktop | sed -e 's:Name=: :'
    fi
    shift
  done
  dmenu_path
}

get_xdg_app_cmd () {
  name=`echo "$*" | sed 's:^.*-n ::'`
  until [ -z "$1" ]; do
    if [ -d "$1" ]; then
      grep -l "^Name=$name$" "$1/"*.desktop
    fi
    shift
  done | while read file; do
    grep '^Exec=' "$file" | sed -e 's:^Exec=::' -e 's: %.::'
  done
}

program_exists () {
  which "$1"
}

app=`get_app_names $xdg_paths | $dm -p 'Execute:'`
[ ! "$app" ] && exit
if [ ! "`echo "$app" | cut -d' ' -f1`" ]; then
  app=`get_xdg_app_cmd $xdg_paths -n $app`
  echo "$app" | wc -l
  [ "`echo "$app" | wc -l`" != '1' ] && app=`echo "$app" | $dm -p 'Which program?'`
  [ -z "$app" ] && exit
fi
program_exists $app && exec $app &

i was never really a ffan off dmenu so i wrote this graphical launcher using zenity,, and tied it to my windows key

the entrys need to be edited depending what programs you have installed..

#!/bin/bash
menuitem=`zenity --list --title="Application Launcher" \
--width=280 --height=225 \
--text="Application Launcher" \
--column="Program" --column="Description" --separator=";" \
Firefox           "Firefox Web Browser" \
LeafPad          "Test Editor" \
Lxterminal        "Lxterminal" \
Pidgin          "Messenger" \
Thunar            "File Manager" \
VLC          "Media Player" \
Wicd          "Network manager" \
Shutdown      "Shutdown the pc" `
case $menuitem in 
    Firefox) firefox;;
    Lxterminal) xterm ;;
    Pidgin) pidgin;;
    Thunar) thunar ~/;;
    VLC) vlc;;
    Sonata) sonata ;;
    Sylpheed) sylpheed ;;
    Wicd) wicd-client -n ;;
    LeafPad) leafpad ;;
    Shutdown) sudo /sbin/shutdown -h now ;;
 esac

chilebiker · 2009-12-29 19:55:06

My favourites:

* Openbox
* IceWM
* JWM

Now I use LXDE on our family computer, it's a good compromise of lightweight and useability for everybody.

linuxgod · 2009-12-29 20:33:25

I use :
pcmanfm (as fileman and desktop icons) - better than thunar in some aspects i think
xfce4-panel - the best lightweight panel i think
and openbox of course, coz its fast as hurricane!!

Thats my "DE"

P.s.: htop says, that loaded system takes 90-92 mb of ram (here's everithing that i need, panel applets, wallpapers, icons, menus and so on)

Last edited by linuxgod (2009-12-29 20:51:50)

mythus · 2009-12-29 23:53:14

Running...
JWM
xfce-desktop
thunar
Opera (to post this)
Prague Music Manager (testing it out for fun )
Parcellite for clipboard support
Orage is tied to my clock
and Htop

With all of that on (with a P4 1.6 ghz computer single core and 1 GB ram) htop says I am using 7.5 % of the cpu, 128 RAM, with an average load of 0.07.

Needless to say it is fast! fastest experience I've had yet within a floating WM. For me, it makes Pekwm (which I love btw, Pekwm rocks) and openbox feel slow and heavy in comparison. Not to mention JWM is highly configurable. I am almost done setting it up to how I like it with matching gtk themes and such, and will provide a screenshot after the first of the year of it just for fun.

But yes, there are many choices to go about when looking to make a light environment. JWM is exceptionally light, lighter than most other floating wm's, however may not be everone's cup of tea. In the end, you have to use what you enjoy using.

Next I want to tackle FVWM. I tried to once.. but wasn't in the right mindset lol.

silversnakeeyes · 2010-01-06 00:11:05

markp1989 wrote:

Wintervenom wrote:

Maybe this script could take care of you for an applications menu. All that's needed is Dmenu, and to bind the script to a keyboard shortcut.

#!/bin/dash
### Dmenu Launcher #############
# Version 0.2 by Scott Garrett #
# Wintervenom [(at)] gmail.com #
################################
xdg_paths="/usr/share/applications
/usr/local/share/applications
$XDG_DATA_HOME/applications"
dm='dmenu -i'

get_app_names () {
  until [ -z "$1" ]; do
    if [ -d "$1" ]; then
      grep -h '^Name=' "$1/"*.desktop | sed -e 's:Name=: :'
    fi
    shift
  done
  dmenu_path
}

get_xdg_app_cmd () {
  name=`echo "$*" | sed 's:^.*-n ::'`
  until [ -z "$1" ]; do
    if [ -d "$1" ]; then
      grep -l "^Name=$name$" "$1/"*.desktop
    fi
    shift
  done | while read file; do
    grep '^Exec=' "$file" | sed -e 's:^Exec=::' -e 's: %.::'
  done
}

program_exists () {
  which "$1"
}

app=`get_app_names $xdg_paths | $dm -p 'Execute:'`
[ ! "$app" ] && exit
if [ ! "`echo "$app" | cut -d' ' -f1`" ]; then
  app=`get_xdg_app_cmd $xdg_paths -n $app`
  echo "$app" | wc -l
  [ "`echo "$app" | wc -l`" != '1' ] && app=`echo "$app" | $dm -p 'Which program?'`
  [ -z "$app" ] && exit
fi
program_exists $app && exec $app &

i was never really a ffan off dmenu so i wrote this graphical launcher using zenity,, and tied it to my windows key

the entrys need to be edited depending what programs you have installed..

#!/bin/bash
menuitem=`zenity --list --title="Application Launcher" \
--width=280 --height=225 \
--text="Application Launcher" \
--column="Program" --column="Description" --separator=";" \
Firefox           "Firefox Web Browser" \
LeafPad          "Test Editor" \
Lxterminal        "Lxterminal" \
Pidgin          "Messenger" \
Thunar            "File Manager" \
VLC          "Media Player" \
Wicd          "Network manager" \
Shutdown      "Shutdown the pc" `
case $menuitem in 
    Firefox) firefox;;
    Lxterminal) xterm ;;
    Pidgin) pidgin;;
    Thunar) thunar ~/;;
    VLC) vlc;;
    Sonata) sonata ;;
    Sylpheed) sylpheed ;;
    Wicd) wicd-client -n ;;
    LeafPad) leafpad ;;
    Shutdown) sudo /sbin/shutdown -h now ;;
 esac

As cool as it is, the fact that it needs to be manually edited to add every app turns me off to it, as I install/uninstall new progs all the time. I could just eliminate the clutter and use it for only essentials though, the rest can be run from the terminal. Wintervenom: Very nice script, might actually try that one today if I don't switch to jwm, thanks for the nifty menu Do you mind if I copypasta to my website/some friends? (with credit)

Decided to use jwm, as the majority of you say it is the lightest floating WM, however I may still try xmonad, as I haven't ever actually tried a tiling wm. and Mythus, you have an extremely lightweight system, I might actually emulate that one on my computer (minus the Prague MM, I prefer Amarok or Songbird). Also, what is Orage?

Thanks for your suggestions everybody!

jasonwryan · 2010-01-06 00:19:45

silversnakeeyes wrote:

Also, what is Orage?

Orage

mythus · 2010-01-06 01:06:23

Yeah, I w2as just testing/toying with prague at the time. The lightest music manager I have used (besides console based/mpd) is gmusicbrowser. When running it usually only takes 2% of my cpu (plus the 2 % for mplayer backend).

Amarok and Songbird are nice, the only problem for me is that they are also heavy. Amarok uses at a minimum 7 to 10% CPu on my system, more so if when changing songs if I have OCD or libnotify in use. I have had Songbird max out the CPU on this system.

Adding programs to a menu can be quite a task, especially if you like using different programs and installing new programs all the time. I have set up my menu with only the programs I use all of the time. Otherwise I have /usr/share/applications added to my thunar places menu for easy use of odd programs. Works like a charm for me.

Orage is a nice calendar and appointment keeping application designed for the xfce desktop. Another nice calendar to use is osmo. However you should note that you can use any calendar application (even console based), JWM is very versatile in allowing you to tie any of these to your clock.

NeOnsKuLL · 2010-01-06 01:41:40

Hi:
My current configuration is:
Openbox + obmenugen + PyTyle (I'm really enjoying the posibility of have tiling functionality just when needed, thanks PyTyle for that)
bmpanel2 + (myGtkMenu + my own python script for dinamic menu generation)
feh
Thunar
gNote
gMixer
Orage
Parcellite
Two Conky instances

To have an auto updated myGtkMenu, just follow the steps I describe in this blog post: http://archlinux.me/neonskull/2010/01/0 … generator/

With this configuration, gdm (I'm planning the switch to slim-plus, but I don't yet), a Firefox with 8 tabs and an uptime (firefox) of more than 10 hours, Rhythmbox, MySQL, nginx, a self-written fcgi-php daemon script, and some other minor daemons running (sensors, hddtemp, cron, ...), I have now just 360 MiB of used RAM. One of this days I'll turn off all non-desktop daemons and see how many RAM my setup needs. As you can see, I'm not so paranoic with that (I'm talking about you, Rhythmbox, jejeje)

So, that were my 2 cents.

markp1989 · 2010-01-06 03:29:42

NeOnsKuLL wrote:

Hi:
My current configuration is:
Openbox + obmenugen + PyTyle (I'm really enjoying the posibility of have tiling functionality just when needed, thanks PyTyle for that)
bmpanel2 + (myGtkMenu + my own python script for dinamic menu generation)
feh
Thunar
gNote
gMixer
Orage
Parcellite
Two Conky instances
To have an auto updated myGtkMenu, just follow the steps I describe in this blog post: http://archlinux.me/neonskull/2010/01/0 … generator/
With this configuration, gdm (I'm planning the switch to slim-plus, but I don't yet), a Firefox with 8 tabs and an uptime (firefox) of more than 10 hours, Rhythmbox, MySQL, nginx, a self-written fcgi-php daemon script, and some other minor daemons running (sensors, hddtemp, cron, ...), I have now just 360 MiB of used RAM. One of this days I'll turn off all non-desktop daemons and see how many RAM my setup needs. As you can see, I'm not so paranoic with that (I'm talking about you, Rhythmbox, jejeje)
So, that were my 2 cents.

thanks for the recomendation pytyle is cool

Last edited by markp1989 (2010-01-06 03:31:58)

NeOnsKuLL · 2010-01-06 06:37:41

You're welcome, no problem, I hope my script for myGtkMenu helps you too.

See you

Wintervenom · 2010-01-06 06:38:28

silversnakeeyes wrote:

Wintervenom: Very nice script, might actually try that one today if I don't switch to jwm, thanks for the nifty menu Do you mind if I copypasta to my website/some friends? (with credit)

Sure. Also (an updated version) is in the AUR now: http://aur.archlinux.org/packages.php?ID=33379

ThomasAdam · 2010-01-08 14:52:39

mythus wrote:

Next I want to tackle FVWM. I tried to once.. but wasn't in the right mindset lol.

You should give it a go. It's good.

-- Thomas Adam

Arch Linux

#1 2009-12-28 19:24:07

Lightest combination of WM & DE's

#2 2009-12-28 19:39:55

Re: Lightest combination of WM & DE's

#3 2009-12-28 19:56:50

Re: Lightest combination of WM & DE's

#4 2009-12-28 19:59:59

Re: Lightest combination of WM & DE's

#5 2009-12-28 22:30:18

Re: Lightest combination of WM & DE's

#6 2009-12-28 22:45:09

Re: Lightest combination of WM & DE's

#7 2009-12-28 22:58:17

Re: Lightest combination of WM & DE's

#8 2009-12-28 23:21:57

Re: Lightest combination of WM & DE's

#9 2009-12-28 23:36:06

Re: Lightest combination of WM & DE's

#10 2009-12-29 19:55:06

Re: Lightest combination of WM & DE's

#11 2009-12-29 20:33:25

Re: Lightest combination of WM & DE's

#12 2009-12-29 23:53:14

Re: Lightest combination of WM & DE's

#13 2010-01-06 00:11:05

Re: Lightest combination of WM & DE's

#14 2010-01-06 00:19:45

Re: Lightest combination of WM & DE's

#15 2010-01-06 01:06:23

Re: Lightest combination of WM & DE's

#16 2010-01-06 01:41:40

Re: Lightest combination of WM & DE's

#17 2010-01-06 03:29:42

Re: Lightest combination of WM & DE's

#18 2010-01-06 06:37:41

Re: Lightest combination of WM & DE's

#19 2010-01-06 06:38:28

Re: Lightest combination of WM & DE's

#20 2010-01-08 14:52:39

Re: Lightest combination of WM & DE's

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