The ideal WM.

rik · 2011-04-24 08:41:47

Hello.

I'm still looking for the ideal WM for me. I like awesome so far, but I'm currently running XFCE for compatibility reasons. I reinstalled ArchLinux yesterday and ONLY installed what I need, my former Arch was full with software I didn't really need but it was nice to test it.

My two 24" screens have a resolution of 3840x1080, I always have 5 - 10 Skype windows open, then browsers, editors, terminals, ... And I like stacking WMs, that's why I don't really want WMs like dwm. I've been a GNOME fan for quite a long time, then came XFCE, Fluxbox, KDE4, ... But I just don't like GNOME3, it does not do what I want.

Currently, I have GDM, Fluxbox, XFCE, awesome and Windowmaker installed.

My dream WM has to me minimalistic. I liked the GUI system settings in GNOME2 and KDE4, I liked the windows not having borders in awesome, I did NOT like the fact of not knowing how to permanently set a wallpaper, same with Openbox or Fluxbox.

Would a clean ArchBang installation be a good idea for me?

Compared to you guys, I'm a beginner. I've used Linux for six months now, my first ArchLinux installation was in January. And I'm learning ..

Thanks in advance.

x33a · 2011-04-24 08:57:30

I think you'll have to play around a bit with different wms. Or you can give lxde a try. It's pretty lightweight.

I don't get your problem of being unable to permanently set a wallpaper. Does it remain for the current session only? Maybe give feh a try.

I personally prefer tiling wms, as they are lightweight and make the most of screen space. But, since you don't seem too fond of them, you'll probably have to play around with the different *boxes, and other wms.

In the meanwhile, take a look here: https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Window_Manager

Last edited by x33a (2011-04-24 09:21:16)

metre · 2011-04-24 09:00:44

Try E17
https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/E17
http://www.enlightenment.org/
So futuristic

Last edited by metre (2011-04-24 09:01:33)

rik · 2011-04-24 09:14:35

Thank you.

Well, yeah, I use nitrogen for setting my wallpapers. And feh is a gread idea. Noted. And yeah, I know of E17 but it's not really what I'm looking for.

I'd also like my WM to look kind of freaky, but I think I just have to customize everything.

mythus · 2011-04-24 16:06:59

Greetings,

You know of e17 and yet also admit to being new to linux correct?

You stated that you are looking for basically a stacking/floating WM that has some GUI tools, can lack the WM borders, and manage desktop wallpaper. Well e17 can handle those things quite well, being able to be as big and clunky looking or minimal looking as desired, with a very light impact on your system. e17 has many modules, gadgets, and settings for doing things like tiling and what not, changing and removing WM border, and managing wallpaper.

You can also achieve these things in KDE, XFCE, pekWM, openbox, fluxbox, JWM, etc... all with some work differing depending upon what you choose.

I think the largest issue here is that you are looking for something in particular, but give only a vague idea of what you are looking for.

I'mGeorge · 2011-04-24 16:13:54

I've used Fluxbox for a long long time but I've returned to Gnome. But now as Gnome 3 is knocking at the door I'm thinking in going back to Fluxbox

the sad clown · 2011-04-24 19:19:00

My favorite stacking environment: evilwm + feh + dmenu + conky + xbindkeys (optional if you know how to us ABS and can code in your own keybinds into evilwm). You don't need gui system setting stuff with a set up like that.

bencahill · 2011-04-24 22:08:54

Just a quick note...

If all you want to do is set the wallpaper, imlibsetroot is much lighter than feh.

Mkman · 2011-04-24 22:27:30

to set wallpapers with feh:

feh --bg-scale /path/to/image.file

then

sh ~/.fehbg &

and put that in your xinitrc

I have used Openbox and Awesome wm and they both are capable for doing the thing you are asking for

vlitzer · 2011-04-25 16:01:12

I'm currently using gnome, but I really really want some DE that won't have focus stealing. Is actually pretty much ridiculous that they miss (in my opinion) that.

First post btw, looking forward to migrate to Arch.

BurntSushi · 2011-04-25 17:16:05

If you're using dual monitors, nitrogen is definitely the way to go. Simply put `nitrogen --restore` in your startup file, and you're good to go.

If you had to ask the Archlinux community which non-tiling window manager to use, the resounding answer is certainly Openbox.

As for your problem with tiling window managers, XMonad provides an IM layout specifically to manage multiple IM windows. But in order to use Xmonad, you'll need to pay some upfront cost in becoming familiar with Haskell if you want to truly customize your WM.

gtklocker · 2011-04-25 17:58:50

IMHO Stumpwm is the best, especially for dual-head environments.

Inxsible · 2011-04-25 18:25:22

I am highly inclined to move this to TGN since one man's ideal WM is far from ideal for someone else

Also since this is not a support request, I am moving this to Linux discussion for now.

SoleSoul · 2011-04-25 18:46:37

I liked Compiz stand-alone. Used it for some time. Sounds like what you describe. I moved to openbox though. Don't know why, maybe it's simpler.

s922183t · 2011-04-25 18:50:11

Well, try pekwm.

dolby · 2011-04-25 18:58:31

gtklocker wrote:

IMHO Stumpwm is the best, especially for dual-head environments.

It's very complicated to build. Other than that since its probably better than ratpoison, the above must be true.
But i ain't using it til they change the build process. Ratpoison will suit me fine until that happens.

Stalafin · 2011-04-25 22:11:08

Well, having a system as huge as your would probably drive me nuts. :-)

But I would strongly suggest looking into tiling WMs. Myself, I am using Xmonad; I took my configs mainly from Mr. Elendig, who has a dual monitor setup himself. You should check that out, maybe it would suit you.

vanvalium · 2011-04-27 10:13:20

s922183t wrote:

Well, try pekwm.

I agree, it's the best floating wm.
Also it's very simple to configure

pablokal · 2011-04-27 15:56:22

You can try the live CD of Archbang to get the hang of it; see if it is for you.
I think the most configurable floating wm has to be fvwm; but many, many options, quite a study; pekwm is a lot like openbox but with a few extra's; it has a special and very clean look I like.

Mr. Swillis · 2011-06-01 21:44:22

If using nitrogen for setting wallpaper, just put this in your WM's startup/config file:

nitrogen --restore

I've used that with no issues in every WM I've tested.

- Swill

Shanto · 2011-06-02 07:55:36

Compiz stable (with a balanced set of plugins to suit your needs) + Emerald (with a decent theme customized for look and usability) + Cairo-Dock (again customized to suit your workflow) on top of GNOME 3 (alternate session with no shell/panel) seems perfect to me. You have all the usability features available as of today without missing the new features in GTK/GNOME 3. Mastering the control panel and components of Compiz and Cairo-Dock is the key to a nearly perfect DE.

Xfce doesn't seem work well, lookwise, with GNOME 3 apps.

Last edited by Shanto (2011-06-02 08:01:24)

disastrophe · 2011-06-02 09:48:14

ROX/Openbox with cairo-compmgr makes a pretty nice setup. It's not missing many features compared to a full blown DE.
I'm not a big fan of ROX's panels. (I chose instead to just use ROX's pegboard along with tint2-svn which has pager-like functionality.)
Anyway, it's uber-fast and you end up with a fairly full featured desktop and a great little file manager. The setup isn't in the least bit clumsy, it may not be tightly integrated but it doesn't trip over itself either, Openbox and ROX act like they were made for each other pretty much.

techne · 2011-06-02 12:32:49

GNOME 2 with no compiz makes the best setup.

tri1976 · 2011-06-02 12:43:41

I've been using icewm for awhile and really like it. Maybe you can give it a try.

Google · 2011-06-02 13:55:23

I personally use DWM. I can't imagine using another WM.

I think if you know what you want so much-- it's best to pick a good base system and then customize it.

Arch Linux

#1 2011-04-24 08:41:47

The ideal WM.

#2 2011-04-24 08:57:30

Re: The ideal WM.

#3 2011-04-24 09:00:44

Re: The ideal WM.

#4 2011-04-24 09:14:35

Re: The ideal WM.

#5 2011-04-24 16:06:59

Re: The ideal WM.

#6 2011-04-24 16:13:54

Re: The ideal WM.

#7 2011-04-24 19:19:00

Re: The ideal WM.

#8 2011-04-24 22:08:54

Re: The ideal WM.

#9 2011-04-24 22:27:30

Re: The ideal WM.

#10 2011-04-25 16:01:12

Re: The ideal WM.

#11 2011-04-25 17:16:05

Re: The ideal WM.

#12 2011-04-25 17:58:50

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#13 2011-04-25 18:25:22

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#14 2011-04-25 18:46:37

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#15 2011-04-25 18:50:11

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#16 2011-04-25 18:58:31

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#17 2011-04-25 22:11:08

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#18 2011-04-27 10:13:20

Re: The ideal WM.

#19 2011-04-27 15:56:22

Re: The ideal WM.

#20 2011-06-01 21:44:22

Re: The ideal WM.

#21 2011-06-02 07:55:36

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#22 2011-06-02 09:48:14

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#23 2011-06-02 12:32:49

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#24 2011-06-02 12:43:41

Re: The ideal WM.

#25 2011-06-02 13:55:23

Re: The ideal WM.

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