3 ====================================================================
4 Last modified: Wednesday March 10 01:05AM EET 1999
6 the latest info can be found at
7 http://www.dpo.uab.edu/~grapeape/wmfaq.html or
8 http://wm.current.nu/wmfaq/
9 --------------------------
14 1.1 What is Window Maker?
15 1.2 Where can I get Window Maker?
16 1.3 Where are the mailing list archives?
17 1.4 Where is more documentation on configuring Window Maker?
18 1.5 What is an App Icon?
19 1.6 How can I get a question added to the FAQ?
20 1.7 How do I report bugs?
21 1.8 Is there an anomymous cvs server?
24 2.1 Where can I get proplist.h?
25 2.2 Why do no icons show up after installing Window Maker 0.15.0
26 when I've followed all the directions?
27 2.3 How do I get libtiff to work?
28 2.4 How do I get libjpeg to work?
29 2.5 How do I get libpng to work?
30 2.6 How do I get libgif (or libungif) to work?
31 2.7 Does wmsound work with 0.1x.x?
32 2.8 Can I use WindowMaker with KDE or GNOME or CDE?
33 2.9 How do I get Window Maker working with xdm in Redhat 5.[01]?
34 2.10 Do I need to rerun wmaker.inst with every new version of
36 2.11 When I install Window Maker, I've used wmaker.inst correctly
37 and I only get aroot menu with xterm and exit. How do I fix this?
38 2.12 How do I get Window Maker to use more than 16 colors on my
40 2.13 Using WindowMaker with Solaris 2.6 CDE
41 2.14 How do I switch CDE's windowmanager to use Window Maker?
42 2.15 When I run wmaker it quits complaing about something
43 "__register_frame_info".
44 2.16 When I run wmaker it complains about something like library is
48 3.1 How do I get new apps on the dock (The line of pixmaps on the
49 right side of the screen by default)
50 3.2 What is the difference between the Exit and Exit Session Option?
51 3.3 How do I "dock" AppIcons on the Clip?
52 3.4 Why do none of my Key Bindings work in Window Maker 0.1x.x
53 3.5 How do I rename workspaces?
54 3.6 How can I resize a window if the window is larger than my currect
56 3.7 How do I "undock" AppIcons?
57 3.8 I docked an application but when I run it the button is permanently
58 shaded and I can't run new instances.
59 3.9 When I run wmaker it complains about not being able to load any
61 3.10 When I set the root background with wmsetbg by hand it works,
62 but when I do that from the configuration files it doesnt!
65 4.1 What are those files inside my ~/GNUstep directory?
66 4.2 How do I enable the normal X sloppy focus mode?
67 4.3 How do I get my auto-arrange icons to work?
68 4.4 How do I get my Meta-Tab to cycle through windows correctly?
69 4.5 How can I define my own Icon for a program? (instead of the Icon
70 the Application Supplies?)
71 4.6 How do I get a pixmap background for my appicons (those things
73 4.7 How do you dock <insert program here> that doesn't have an
74 appicon in the new version of Window Maker?
75 4.8 How do I get x11amp to not have a title bar? (or any other
76 program for that matter?)
77 4.9 How do I set a pixmap background?
78 4.10 Can I put pixmaps in my root menu and title bars?
79 4.11 How do I get my Minimize Icon to look like the triangle I see in
81 4.12 How do I get superfluous bells and whistles working?
82 4.13 How do I get my oldstyle back?
83 4.14 How do I get the window menu with only a two button mouse?
84 4.15 How do I edit my root menu?
85 4.16 How can I set dock/clip to use single click to launch applications,
86 instead of double click?
88 5 - Other Applications
89 5.1 How do I assign gimp an appicon?
90 5.2 How do I get an appicon for XEmacs 20.3+?
91 5.3 Where do you get that clock program I always see on people's
93 5.4 How do you dock asclock?
94 5.5 How do you dock wmload?
95 5.6 What other apps exist for the dock?
96 5.7 How do I get an appicon for rxvt so I can dock it?
97 5.8 How do I get different icons for rxvt's (or xterms) running different
99 5.9 How do I launch multiple instances of XTerm from one appicon?
100 5.10 How do I allow Alt+# to work in an rxvt session? (with irc for
102 5.11 Window Maker breaks scilab
103 5.12 Netscape icons show up in black and white
104 5.13 Snow flakes from xsnow don't acumulate on titlebars!
107 6.1 How do I get a normal X application to produce an appicon?
108 6.2 How do I get my tcl/tk application to produce an appicon?
110 6.4 Where can I get more information about WINGs?
112 7 - Miscellaneous Questions
113 7.1 Is there a pager for Window Maker?
114 7.2 Can I have folders like in AfterStep?
115 7.3 How do I use getstyle and setstyle?
116 7.4 Why don't you distribute {normal diff, xdelta} patches?
117 7.5 Will you add GNOME support?
120 8.1 What exactly are Themes?
121 8.2 How do I install a Theme?
122 8.3 How do I make a Theme?
125 ========================================================================
133 1.1 What is Window Maker?
134 ----------------------------------
135 Window Maker is an elegant X11 window manger that emulates the
136 OpenStep desktop with some noticeable enhancements. Look at
137 http://wm.current.nu/themes/my-themes.html and
138 http://wm.current.nu/themes/screenshots.html
139 here for example screenshots.
142 1.2 Where can I get Window Maker?
143 ----------------------------------
144 The official site to get new developmental versions from is
145 ftp://ftp.windowmaker.org/pub/beta/srcs/.
147 NOTE: Also see http://wm.current.nu/downloads.html for the latest
148 Stable and Development versions.
150 The development versions are usually very stable themselves, so if you
151 want to have all the newest features, you can rather safetly go with the
152 development versions. Just remember to save any unsaved data before
153 you go playing around with the config files. Also, remember they are
154 developmental versions, so your mileage may vary, don't get angry if they
158 1.3 Where are the mailing list archives?
159 ----------------------------------------
160 Phillip Smith from Netplex, our wonderful provider of windowmaker.org, has set
161 up some new lists from the domain. Please read the information on the web
162 pages at http://www.windowmaker.org/lists.html for information on how to
163 subscribe, the posting guidelines, and how to access the web archives.
165 Many thanks to Ed Orcutt who hosted the original lists from his own machine
166 for many years and Caldera who graciously allowed Ed to continue hosting
167 from them when he moved to his new position with them. Ed provided a very
168 valuable service for many years and we are sad to see him go.
171 1.4 Where is more documentation on configuring Window Maker?
172 ----------------------------------
173 Besides the mailing list archives, there are nice documents in
174 ftp://ftp.windowmaker.org/pub/docs/, at
175 http://wm.current.nu/downloads.html on my download page and at
176 http://wm.current.nu/user-guide/index.htm in the online user-guide.
179 1.5 What is an appicon?
180 ----------------------------------
181 An appicon is the icon (without the tiny titlebar a minimized application icon
182 has) produced by most applications that initially is in the bottom left corner
183 of the screen while an application is running. For an example, run xterm and
184 notice the icon in the corner. (Make sure that you use xterm and not a
185 default older rxvt because older versions of rxvt do not properly set their
189 1.6. How can I get a question added to the FAQ?
190 ----------------------------------
191 Right now, the only method is to mail Chris Green <sprout@dok.org> or
192 myself <largo@current.nu> the question or post it on the Window Maker
193 Mailing list, and see if enough people have the same problem.
195 If you are a developer and would like to be able to edit the official FAQ on
196 Chris's site, let him know at <sprout@dok.org>
198 He is currently pondering writing a front end that allows everyone to add
199 entries and only require a moderator approval before being posted.
202 1.7. How do I report bugs?
203 ----------------------------------
204 You can look at the BUGFORM file in your tarball of Window Maker.
205 Alternatively, you can use the Window Maker Bugtracker at
206 http://windowmaker.org/cgi-bin/bugs.
209 1.8. Is there an anomymous cvs server?
210 ----------------------------------
211 Yes there is. To check out from cvs, first
213 export CVSROOT=":pserver:anoncvs@cvs.net-community.com:/gnustep"
216 'anoncvs' is the password.
218 Then issue the command. "wm" is the name of the module.
220 cvs -z3 checkout -d WindowMaker wm
223 To update your source tree, cd to the WindowMaker directory and type
227 inside the WindowMaker directory.
236 2.1 Where can I get proplist.h?
237 -------------------------------
238 My first hint would be to look through the documentation a little more
239 closely. libPropList.tar.gz is located in the root of the Window Maker
240 distribution source tree. Untar libproplist, compile and install it so that the it
241 will be available to compile Window Maker.
244 2.2 Why do no icons show up after installing Window Maker >= 0.15.x
245 when I've followed all the directions?
246 -------------------------------------------------------------------
247 Under normal circumstances, this should not happen because Window Maker
248 should detect if libtiff is going to be compiled in and then it will make the
249 default theme use .tiff or .xpm icons, depending if TIFF support is compiled
252 As of Window Maker version 0.15.0, the default setup includes .tiff icons
253 which require you to have compiled Window Maker with libtiff support, if you
254 want them to be used. If you are happy with the .xpm icons, then you don't
255 need libtiff. Window Maker will detect that TIFF support is not available and
256 use .xpm icons instead. For some help on compiling with libtiff, look at the
257 libtiff section of this FAQ.
260 2.3 How do I get libtiff to work?
261 ----------------------------------
262 The whole key to getting libtiff working for me was to upgrade to >=
263 tiff-v3.4beta037-tar.gz availible at ftp.sgi.com.
265 Rerun ./configure and make and it should work. I had previously been using
266 tiff-v3.4-tar.gz instead so the library was there just not working. A note to
267 keep in mind, is that the tiff libs are versioned rather oddly, version
268 tiff-v3.4beta037 is actually newer than tiff-v3.4.
270 Make sure to rm config.cache and rerun ./configure before attempting to
273 Also, make sure to use gnu-make for the Window Maker compile.
276 2.4 How do I get libjpeg to work?
277 ----------------------------------
278 The newest jpeg libs are availible at ftp://ftp.uu.net/graphics/jpeg/.
280 How many of you have seen that darned "lib reports 62 caller expects 61" type of
282 Well, I have more than once, and here are some answers to possibly help
285 First things first. As always, make sure there are not older copies of libjpeg
286 floating around on your system. By default my Slackware distribution came
287 with an old libjpeg.so.1 in the /usr/X11R6/lib/ directory. This can simply be
288 deleted. Or if something complains after you delete it, recompile it if you
289 can to look for the new lib in the right place, or if that fails, as a last resort,
290 you might add a symlink to the new lib like so:
291 ln -s /usr/local/lib/libjpeg.so.6.0.2 libjpeg.so.1
294 This is basically caused by your application having been compiled to
295 dynamically use the libjpeg.so shared library. When you install a new lib and
296 then try to run your program again, it expects the lib it was compiled
297 against, in this case the older libjpeg.so.6.0.1 and instead finds libjpeg.so.6.0.2
298 and reports the error.
300 The fix is actually rather simple. Along with adding a libjpeg.so.6 symlink
301 like so (just in case):
302 ln -s libjpeg.so.6.0.2 libjpeg.so.6
303 where you installed your new lib, you simply need to recompile your app to
304 link it against the new library. :)
306 Make sure to rm config.cache and rerun ./configure before attempting to
309 Also, make sure to use gnu-make for the Window Maker compile.
312 2.5 How do I get libpng to work?
313 ----------------------------------
314 The newest png libs are availible at
315 http://www.cdrom.com/pub/png/pngcode.html.
317 You should also get the newest zlib libs from
318 http://www.cdrom.com/pub/infozip/zlib/.
320 I had a few problems with this lib as well, basically I had an old libz.so in my
321 /usr/X11R6/lib/ directory which configure was finding first, and which failed the
322 test, being an older lib.
324 Generally the same applies here as with libjpeg, make sure there are no
325 older versions of the necessary libs floating around on your system, then try
326 and configure and make again.
328 Make sure to rm config.cache and rerun ./configure before attempting to
331 Also, make sure to use gnu-make for the Window Maker compile.
334 2.6 How do I get libgif (or libungif) to work?
335 ----------------------------------
336 The newest libgif is availible at
337 ftp://sunsite.unc.edu/pub/Linux/libs/giflib/.
339 The newest libungif is availible at
340 ftp://sunsite.unc.edu/pub/Linux/libs/graphics/.
342 I had a few problems with libgif... it seems that the install process didn't
343 install the header file libgif.h, so although the Window Maker configure found
344 the lib (libgif.so.x), when you actually try to compile, it fails when it looks for
345 the header to include the make. I simply copied it from the libgif source
346 directory to the system include directory. (/usr/local/include/ on my system).
348 Make sure to rm config.cache and rerun ./configure before attempting to
351 Also, make sure to use gnu-make for the Window Maker compile.
354 2.7 Does wmsound work with 0.1x.x?
355 ----------------------------------
356 As of Window Maker 0.15.x, sound is now included by default but requires
357 the authors sound server. For more information, read the NEWS file in the
358 Window Maker distribution.
360 The author Anthony Quinn <southgat@frontiernet.net> has released a
361 version that works with Window Maker >= 0.15.x. It is available from
362 it's home page at http://www.frontiernet.net/~southgat/wmsound/
363 or on my site at http://wm.current.nu/files.html#wmsound
364 for your convenience.
367 2.8 Can I use WindowMaker with KDE or GNOME or CDE?
368 ----------------------------------
369 Contrary to a lot of people thinks, KDE is NOT a window manager. KDE is
370 a suite of various applications that includes a custom window manager.
371 The same is true for CDE.
373 Now, answering the question: Yes, you can use WindowMaker in these
374 environments. To use Window Maker with GNOME, you don't need to do
375 anything special. To use it with CDE, read the answer for "How do I switch
376 CDE's windowmanager to use Window Maker?"
378 To use it with KDE, read it's documentation to get rid of kwm (and possibly
379 kpanel) and replace it with wmaker. Then, start WPrefs.app, go to "Mouse
380 Preferences" and set the "Disable mouse actions" check box. You will
381 need to restart Window Maker to make this change take effect. The
382 "Disable mouse actions" change is needed to allow you to use krootwm,
383 wich enables you to use kfm's desktop icons, but will prevent you from
384 accessing Window Maker's Applications and Window List menus with the
388 2.9 How do I get Window Maker working with xdm in Redhat 5.[01]?
389 ----------------------------------
390 After running wmaker.inst and letting it write to .xinitrc,
391 cp .xinitrc .xsession
392 and make sure that /usr/local/bin is in your $PATH for the Xserver. You can
393 make sure of this by including a statement like
395 export PATH=$PATH:/usr/local/bin
398 in your .xsession file.
400 Make sure to chmod +x .xsession so that the Xsession script of xdm can
403 This is how the Xsession script is designed:
405 startup=$HOME/.xsession
407 if [ -x "$startup" ]; then
409 elif [ -x "$HOME/.Xclients" ]; then
410 exec "$HOME/.Xclients"
411 elif [ -x /etc/X11/xinit/Xclients ]; then
412 exec /etc/X11/xinit/Xclients
414 if [ -f "$resources" ]; then
415 xrdb -load "$resources"
421 You could also have a .Xclients file as was mentioned in previous revisions
425 2.10 Do I need to rerun wmaker.inst with every new version of
427 ----------------------------------
428 There is no need to do this. You can do it, but keep in mind, that all your
429 preferences will be lost, overwritten by the defaults. You can update the
430 files and add the changes yourself if you need to, but else in most cases is
431 sufficient to rely on WPrefs and it will update for you the new missing
432 options if they differ from the default ones.
434 The way domain files are read beginning from 0.15.0 makes the need for update
435 almost redundant. The user config files are merged with the global ones in
436 /usr/local/share/WindowMaker/Defaults.
437 So even if new options are added, they will be reflected in the user
439 Only if user wishes to change the default behavior, he needs to add that
440 option to the config file.
443 2.11 When I install Window Maker, I've used wmaker.inst correctly
444 and I only get aroot menu with xterm and exit. How do I fix this?
445 ----------------------------------
446 Most likely, the problem is that Window Maker can not find a copy of the C
447 pre processor in a directory such as /lib. The file /lib/cpp should be a
448 symbolic link to whatever c compiler's cpp you are using. Mine reads as:
450 cpp -> ../usr/lib/gcc-lib/i586-pc-linux-gnu/pgcc-2.90.29/cpp*
453 There seems to be another common problem that exhibits this same
454 behavior. If you find another solution that matches this question please
455 email <sprout@dok.org> or <largo@current.nu>.
458 2.12 How do I get Window Maker to use more than 16 colors on my
459 SGI Indy Workstation?
460 ----------------------------------
461 Thanks to Peter H. Chou <pchou@leland.Stanford.EDU> for this answer:
463 By default, the SGI X Server uses 8-bit Pseudocolor mode.
464 To change it, edit (as root) the file /usr/lib/X11/xdm/Xservers.
467 :0 secure /usr/bin/X11/X -bs -c -class TrueColor -depth 24
473 2.13 Using WindowMaker with Solaris 2.6 CDE
474 ----------------------------------
475 (thanks to Rob Funk, Unix God of osu.edu)
477 Assuming you installed Window Maker according to the README's that
478 come with the source, all you need to run Window Maker on a Solaris box
479 is an entry in the .xinitrc. Only 0.17 - 0.19 versions have been tested, but
480 when you run the configure script, let it make changes to the .xinitrc file. It
481 should look something like this:
484 # Window Maker Default .xinitrc
485 exec /usr/local/bin/wmaker
488 Believe it or not, that's all that it takes. This, in fact, runs WindowMaker
489 instead of OpenWindows. In order to choose WindowMaker, you simply
490 choose "OpenWindows Desktop" in the "Options - Session" Menus.
491 Choose "CDE Desktop" if you want CDE.
493 The Color schemes and settings for Window Maker are seperate from
494 CDE. Tested on a SPARC 10, Solaris x86 should work also. (better,
498 2.14 How do I switch CDE's window-manager to use Window Maker?
499 ----------------------------------
502 Peter Ilberg <peter.ilberg@natinst.com> gives us this answer:
504 Install WM wherever you want it, mine is in /opt/WindowMaker-0.16.0
505 (eg. use ./configure --prefix=/opt/WindowMaker-0.16.0).
506 Run the install script wmaker.inst in your home directory.
508 Add the following two lines to .dtprofile in your home directory:
510 SESSIONTYPE=xdm; export SESSIONTYPE
511 PATH=:/usr/contrib/bin/X11:$PATH:.; export PATH
513 This tells CDE to go looking for an .xinitrc/.xsession instead of using the
516 Make your .xsession/.xinitrc executable (VERY IMPORTANT, wmaker.inst did
517 NOT do this automatically for me) using eg.
519 chmod ugo+x .xsession
521 Your .xsession/.xinitrc should look something like this:
524 <some other init stuff that you want/need>
527 Things to try if it doesn't work: (somewhat fuzzy and random)
529 This should do it although I did have problems sometimes initially which I
530 fixed by randomly trying absolute pathes for wmaker in .xsession/.xinitrc and/or
531 making the dtprofile/.xinitrc/etc executable. It helps logging in on the console
532 (select from CDE login screen) and start X manually using 'X'.
533 If it works that way it should work when logging into the CDE environment.
534 Remember to Check your paths!
536 If it doesn't work, you can also substitute some other window manager for
537 wmaker in the .xinitrc and see if that works. If it does you know at least that
538 .xinitrc is getting called/executed, so your WM path is wrong or not set.
543 Thomas Hanselman gave this alternative answer (via Peter Ilberg):
545 Build and install WM wherever you want, as described in Method 1. You
546 can install and run WM just fine from your home directory. That's what I'm
547 doing, since I don't have root access at work :(. Then, in your .Xdefaults file in
548 your home directory, add the following line:
550 Dtsession*wmStartupCommand: <path to Window Maker executable>
552 Then, log out, and log back in, and, unless I've forgotten a step (or this is a
553 custom Nortel thing), you should be in Window Maker heaven ;).
555 Difference between the methods: (according to Thomas)
557 I've been told that the difference between setting the resource and Peter's
558 method is that if you override the window manager with the resouce, you
559 still get the CDE resources read into the resource database (so you still
560 have your color settings & such from CDE), whereas with Peter's, the CDE
561 resource don't get read into the database. I don't know if this is true or not,
562 however. Also, another thing to note with Window Maker and HP-UX 10.20
563 -- if you select "Exit Session" from the WM root menu, Window Maker and
564 all of your applications are killed, but you may not be logged out. Again, this
565 might be an artifact from my work environment, or the way I start Window
568 Owen Stenseth <iplenergy.com> adds:
570 When using this method it is possible to exit Window Maker cleanly by
571 using the dtaction command. I use the following in my Window Maker menu:
573 "Exit Session" EXEC dtaction ExitSession
575 The only problem I have at the moment is I seem to get multiple copies of
576 asclock running when I log in again.
578 You can also use the normal "Exit Session" command from the WM root
579 menu and place additional commands required to shutdown CDE in
580 ~/GNUstep/Library/WindowMaker/exitscript
582 So, if you add "dtaction ExitSession" in that file, the command to shutdown
583 CDE will be automatically executed when you exit WindowMaker.
586 2.15 When I run wmaker it quits complaing about something
587 __register_frame_info.
588 ----------------------------------
589 This seems to be related to pgcc, gcc-2.8.0 or something. Try using gcc
590 2.7.x to compile wmaker.
593 2.16 When I run wmaker it complains about something like expected
595 ----------------------------------
596 Upgrade your libjpeg library and/or recompile Window Maker.
603 3.1 How do I get new apps on the dock (The icon or line of icons on
604 the right side of the screen by default)
605 ----------------------------------
606 Launch an application. If there is a little icon that pops up in the bottom
607 corner of the screen, drag it over to the dock icon(s). You should see a
608 whiteish square indicating when it is close enough to dock, and where it will
609 be placed. To make sure this application will be there next time you start up
610 windowmaker, exit windowmaker with the "exit session" option.
613 3.2 What is the difference between the 'Exit' and 'Exit Session' Options?
614 ----------------------------------
615 'Exit' exits wmaker, but leaves the other apps running, and if wmaker was
616 not the last app launched in the .xinitrc the X server is not closed, until
617 the last app started by .xinitrc is closed.
618 'Exit session' will exit wmaker, but also will close all running apps, thus
619 the X server will be closed, and your session will end.
622 3.3 How do I "dock" AppIcons on the Clip?
623 -----------------------------------------
624 Just drag icons near it like you would for the dock. If you are having a
625 problem docking icons, you should try moving the Clip away from the dock.
628 3.4 Why do none of my Key Bindings (ie: Alt+#) work in Window Maker 0.1x.x
629 ----------------------------------
630 If you are using XFree86, make sure scroll lock and numlock are off or no
631 bindings will work (XFree bug). You can try using the XFree86 Numlock
632 Hack by editing the line #undef NUMLOCK_HACK in $WindowMakerdir/src/wconfig.h
633 and changing it to #define NUMLOCK_HACK.
634 Note that this is not yet fully functional (if at all).
637 3.5 How do I rename workspaces?
638 ----------------------------------
639 Right click on the "desktop" (root window) to show the menu (don't hold the
640 button down). Go to the workspaces menu and hold the Control key down
641 and click on the workspace you would like to rename and type the name.
643 If you use the clip, use the "Rename Workspace" command in the clip
647 3.6 How can I resize a window if the window is larger than my
649 ----------------------------------
650 David Reviejo <dreviejo@arrakis.es> best summed up this answer:
653 Alt+Left click and drag
657 Alt+Right click and drag
658 to resize (by moving the nearest window corner)
660 Another move/resize tip: while you are moving or resizing a window,
662 can change the move/resize mode by pressing the SHIFT key."
667 3.7 How do I "undock" AppIcons?
668 ----------------------------------
669 If the program is not running, just drag the icon to the middle of your
670 desktop (away from the dock and clip) and watch it disappear.
672 If the program is running, hold down Meta (usually CTRL) and drag the icon
673 off the dock. You can also right click on it and choose 'Kill', then undock as
677 3.8 I docked an application but when I run it the button is permanently
678 shaded and I can't run new instances.
679 ----------------------------------
680 You probably docked the application with dockit. To fix it
681 remove the icon and use the "Emulate Application Icon" checkbox in
682 the Advanced Options section of the Attributes panel for the window.
683 Then restart the application to get the application icon you
684 must use to dock the application.
685 It can also mean that you did something you shouldn't, which is
686 changing the program that is ran from the docked icon. For example,
687 if you docked rxvt you must NOT change it to xterm, for example.
688 You also can't do any changes that might alter the contents of
689 the WM_CLASS hint for the window, like the -name parameter for
690 xterm, rxvt and other programs.
694 3.9 When I run wmaker it complains about not being able to load any fonts.
695 ----------------------------------
696 Check if the locale settings are correct. If you're not sure what to
697 do, unset the LANG environment variable before running wmaker.
699 TODO: give complete explanation
703 3.10 When I set the root background with wmsetbg by hand it works,
704 but when I do that from the configuration files it doesnt!
705 ----------------------------------
707 DOH! If you set the root background with wmsetbg by hand, it will obviously
708 find the image, since you have explicitly specified it by hand. But if you
709 simply put it in ~/GNUstep/Defaults/WindowMaker in some option like
710 WorkspaceBack, it will not find the image because Window Maker can't read
711 your mind to figure where you put the image. So, to fix it, you have to
712 either place the full path for the image in the texture specification or put
713 the path for the directory you put your background images in the PixmapPath
714 option. You can also put all your background images in places like
715 ~/GNUstep/Library/WindowMaker/Backgrounds or
716 /usr/local/share/WindowMaker/Backgrounds
724 4.1 What are those files inside my ~/GNUstep directory?
725 ----------------------------------
726 ~/GNUstep/WindowMaker/WindowMaker
728 The main config file. This file controls options such as keybindings,
729 fonts, pixmaps, and focus modes.
732 ~/GNUstep/WindowMaker/WMWindowAttributes
734 The Controls "attributes" for individual applications and appicons.
735 Options such as what icon to use are set here. For the most part, this
736 is now best accessed via a right click on a title bar of an application
737 and selecting "Attributes"
740 ~/GNUstep/Defaults/WMState
742 This is the file that is automatically generated and contains the current
743 dock settings. It is not recommended to edit this file by hand.
746 ~/GNUstep/Defaults/WMRootMenu
748 This file specifies what file to use as the root menu.
751 ~/GNUstep/Library/WindowMaker/menu
753 This is the file to edit to change your root menu.
758 4.2 How do I enable the normal X sloppy focus mode?
759 ----------------------------------
760 In the ~/GNUstep/Defaults/WindowMaker, change the following:
765 4.3 How do I get my auto-arrange icons to work?
766 ----------------------------------
767 In ~/GNUstep/Defaults/WindowMaker set AutoArrangeIcons=Yes; and the icons
768 should now auto-arrange.
771 4.4 How do I get my Meta-Tab to cycle through windows correctly?
772 ----------------------------------
773 Make sure that these settings are true in your ~/GNUstep/Defaults/WindowMaker
776 CirculateRaise = Yes;
779 This will not give you MS Windows(tm) style application switching where
780 alt-tab is changes context.
782 Paul Warren <<pdw@ferret.lmh.ox.ac.uk>> has released a patch that will
783 give this style of Context Switching to Window Maker.
785 It is availible from http://www.warrenx.demon.co.uk/patches
788 4.5 How can I define my own Icon for a program? (instead of the
789 Icon the Application Supplies?)
790 ----------------------------------
791 You can right click on the titlebar of the running app and choose the
792 "Attributes..." option, then click on the "Ignore client supplied icon"
793 checkbox. Click "Apply", "Save" and close the Attributes Editor.
795 Another method is to edit ~/GNUstep/Defaults/WMWindowAttributes by hand and
796 use the AlwaysUserIcon=YES; option for the app. For example:
798 xmcd = { Icon = "Radio.xpm";
803 4.6 How do I get a Tile background for my AppIcons (those things in
805 ----------------------------------
806 You need to change 1 line to your ~/GNUstep/Defaults/WindowMaker file.
808 IconBack = (spixmap, tile.black.xpm, white);
810 IconBack = (tpixmap, tile.black.xpm, white);
812 spixmap will scale the pixmap to fit the tile, tpixmap will tile it as is.
814 As Random@efnet says, The last parameter is the color that fills in any
815 Transparent parts of your icon.
818 4.7 How do you dock <insert program here> that doesn't have an
819 appicon in the new version of Window Maker?
820 ----------------------------------
821 There is now an option available to emulate appicons so that Window
822 Maker can dock just about anything now.
824 To dock a misbehaving application, right click on the title bar and select the
825 attributes menu. Next, select the pull down menu's "Advanced Options"
826 item. Under the ``Advanced Options'' menu, select the ``Emulate
827 Application Icon'' Option then Save, Apply and close the dialog.
829 This should allow you do dock the program normally.
832 4.8 How do I get x11amp to not have a title bar? (or any other
833 program for that matter?)
834 ----------------------------------
835 Right Click on the title bar and choose "Attributes". Click on Panel 2 and
836 click the the "Disable titlebar" and "Disable resizebar" options. Click
837 "Save", "Apply" and then close the Attributes panel.
839 By Default, to get back to the attributes menu once you've removed the
840 titlebar, hit the key F10 while the window is focused.
842 Here is an example entry in ~/GNUstep/WMWindowAttributes for x11amp.
852 4.9 How do I set a pixmap background?
853 ----------------------------------
854 Here is the in depth explanation straight from the NEWS file:
856 wmsetbg now accepts the following options:
857 usage: wmsetbg [-options] image
866 scale image (default)
868 update Window Maker domain database
870 update <domain> database
872 colors per channel to use
876 By default, it will try to guess if dithering is needed or not and proceed
878 Using -d or -m will force it to dither or match colors.
880 Dithering for more than 15bpp is generally not needed, and will only result
881 in a slower processing.
882 Don't use dithering except when needed, because it is slower. Else rely on
883 wmsetbg which will detect if dithering is needed and use it.
886 will update the WorkspaceBack in the default database
887 domain file in ~/GNUstep/Defaults/WindowMaker, and let Window
888 Maker refresh the screen. Please note that this option only
889 works under Window Maker, and will have no effect under
890 other window managers, since it rely on Window Maker to
891 update the image after it reads the updated defaults
895 <domain> is same as above, but will update the domain
896 <domain> instead of the default Window Maker domain.
899 <cpc> will set the color per channel to use. Only needed for
900 PseudoColor visuals. Window Maker will automatically pass
901 the value read from the Window Maker domain database.
905 The following line is straight from your WindowMaker-0.15.x
906 ~/GNUstep/Library/WindowMaker/menu file and should all be on one line.
908 "Images" OPEN_MENU BACKGROUNDS_DIR
909 ~/GNUstep/Library/WindowMaker/Backgrounds WITH wmsetbg -u -t
911 This should give you an idea on how to add other entries for different image
912 directories. See the help info at the top of the
913 ~/GNUstep/Library/WindowMaker/menu file for more information.
915 If you for some reason would like to set your background image with XV, for
916 instance to use an image format not yet supported by wmsetbg or to use one
917 of XV's special modes, edit the file ~/GNUstep/Library/WindowMaker/autostart
920 xv -root -quit -maxpect ~/background.jpg
922 xv -root -quit -max ~/background.jpg
924 you can also try variations of this to get different tiling and other effects
925 (where X is a number 1-9 I believe):
926 'xv -root -quit -rmodeX ~/background.jpg'
928 If you would like xv functionality in your menu, heres a nice little tip from
931 Add the following line to your ~/GNUstep/Library/WindowMaker/menu file. (all on
934 "More Backgrounds" OPEN_MENU /home/whoever/backgrounds xv -root -maxpect -quit
937 4.10 Can I put pixmaps in my root menu and title bars?
938 ----------------------------------
939 With the release of WindowMaker-0.14.1, you can now put pixmaps
940 anywhere you would have either a gradient or a color. This means now that
942 MenuTextBack=(tpixmap, foo.xpm, acolor);
944 in ~/GNUstep/Defaults/WindowMaker will put the correct pixmap tiled in your
947 FTitleBack = (spixmap, foo.xpm, black);
949 Would have the effect of streching a pixmap to fit the titlebar of the active
951 You can use png, gif, ppm, tiff, jpeg and xpm images interchangeably in
952 Window Maker if you have compiled in support for those formats.
955 4.11 How do I get my Minimize Icon to look like the triangle I see in
957 ----------------------------------
958 This involves a minor source tweak. Instructions are available at
959 http://wm.current.nu/tips.html#titlebar_icons
961 Example screenshot at
962 http://wm.current.nu/themes/images/screenshots/Midnight3.jpg
965 4.12 How do I get superfluous bells and whistles working?
966 ----------------------------------
967 Add Superfluous=YES; to your ~/GNUstep/Defaults/Windowmaker file.
969 This option was added as a runtime option in Window Maker >= 0.16.1.
972 4.13 How do I get the classic NeXT(tm)-like style back?
973 ----------------------------------
974 Add NewStyle=NO; to your ~/GNUstep/Defaults/Windowmaker file.
976 This option was added as a runtime option in Window Maker >= 0.16.1
979 4.14 How do I get the window menu with only a two button mouse?
980 ----------------------------------
981 Jim Noble <jmknoble@ntrnet.net> writes:
983 If you've got a two-button mouse under some versions of Solaris x86,
984 there's no way (that i'm aware of) to emulate a 3-button mouse. The right
985 button can be either MB2 or MB3, but chording doesn't work.
987 ApplicationMenuMouseButton = Left;
991 WindowListMouseButton = Right;
994 in ~/GNUstep/Defaults/WindowMaker ought to allow the left button to
995 activate the root menu, and the right button (as MB2) to activate the
999 4.15 How do I edit my root menu?
1000 ----------------------------------
1001 You can now use WPrefs.app
1002 (see http://wm.current.nu/features/configuration.html for more info)
1003 if you have the new PropList style menu, or you can manually edit the
1006 ~/GNUstep/Library/WindowMaker/menu
1008 (or you can also manually edit the newstyle menu file)
1010 ~/GNUstep/Defaults/WMRootMenu
1012 and save your changes. Window Maker should detect the change and
1013 automatically update. If you are having a problem getting it to reload the
1016 touch ~/GNUstep/Library/WindowMaker/menu
1018 (or 'touch ~/GNUstep/Defaults/WMRootMenu' for the newstyle menu)
1020 to force the modification time into the future.
1023 4.16 How can I set dock/clip to use single click to launch
1024 applications, instead of double click?
1025 ----------------------------------
1026 You cannot do this. This is because single click is used to select app-icons,
1027 or to raise/lower the app-icon or the dock/clip.
1028 If this is impelmented then you will be unable to select or raise/lower
1029 dock/clip or app-icons, without also launching the application it represents.
1031 So don't ask for this to be implemented, because it will not be. Double
1032 click is used for a reason, is not just some weird idea we got in a morning
1033 when we wake up too early.
1040 5.1 How do I assign gimp an appicon?
1041 ----------------------------------
1042 Window Maker now can assign Icons from within the windowmanager, to
1043 do so, right click on the title bar of an app or hit F10 while the desired app
1044 is focused, choose "Attributes...", click on the "4" Button, enter the icon file
1045 name (make sure this is in your pixmap path, or you can type in the full path
1046 without using ~/ type path names), click "Update", "Apply", "Save" and then
1047 close the Attributes Editor.
1049 You can also enter the following line in
1050 ~/GNUstep/Library/WindowMaker/WMWindowAttributes:
1052 gimp={Icon="gimp.xpm";};
1055 5.2 How do I get an appicon for XEmacs 20.3+?
1056 ----------------------------------
1057 Thanks to Michael Hafner <hayfi@rz.fh-augsburg.de> for this answer.
1059 You don't need to patch the XEmacs code, just run
1061 ./configure --with-session=yes (in addition to any other options you use)
1063 in your XEmacs 20.3+ sourcedir and rebuild it. Then XEmacs shows an
1064 appicon when running and you can easily dock it.
1067 5.3 Where do you get that clock program I always see on people's
1069 ----------------------------------
1070 Its called asclock. It was included with each version of Window
1071 Maker until version 0.17.5, and was no longer included in
1073 You could find it in ./WindowMaker-0.xx.x/misc/asclock.tgz and it was
1074 prepatched to be able to dock. Some other (older) versions you might find
1075 on the net don't dock.
1077 Since it was pulled from the distribution (probably to save space), I've
1078 included it at http://wm.current.nu/files.html#asclock for your convenience.
1081 5.4 How do you dock asclock?
1082 ----------------------------------
1083 asclock -shape -iconic -12 &
1085 Drag it from the top right corner of the clock to the dock. Right click on the
1086 icon and select autolaunch.
1087 You have to drag the appicon by clicking on the edge of the icon, because
1088 the actual pixmap belongs to the app itself, and any clicks on the pixmap
1089 are interpreted by the app rather than X or the window manager. Therefor,
1090 you need to click somewhere on the appicon where the background tile
1091 shows through (usually the edges), and drag it that way.
1094 5.5 How do you dock wmload?
1095 ----------------------------------
1096 wmload -withdrawn -shape &
1098 Then dock it similar to asclock.
1101 5.6 What other apps exist for the dock?
1102 ----------------------------------
1103 Several Nice applications are available:
1105 wmmixer and wmcd and wmmount
1106 http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Vista/2471/linux.htm#xapps
1108 ascd,WMRack,asmixer,asmodem, and others
1109 ftp://ftp.windowmaker.org/pub/wmaker/contrib/srcs/apps/
1111 wmavgload, wmmount, and wmload
1112 ftp://ftp.windowmaker.org/pub/wmaker/contrib/srcs/utils/
1114 wmppp-wmifs, wmtime, wmmon and other nifty apps
1115 http://windowmaker.mezaway.org/
1120 5.7 How do I get an appicon for rxvt so I can dock it?
1121 ----------------------------------
1122 The default rxvt that comes with most distribtions is an outdated version of
1123 rxvt. The newest development version of rxvt is availible from
1124 ftp://ftp.math.fu-berlin.de/pub/rxvt/devel/. As of the time of this writing, the
1125 version is 2.4.7 and it natively produces an appicon without a patch.
1127 John Eikenberry has also created an rpm which is available from
1128 ftp://ftp.coe.uga.edu/users/jae/windowmaker/
1130 For your convenience, I have rxvt-2.4.7.tar.gz at
1131 http://wm.current.nu/files/rxvt-2.4.7.tar.gz for download. As of
1132 version 2.4.7, rxvt includes Window Maker support as well as John
1133 Eikenberry's NeXT scrollbar hack.
1136 5.8 How do I get different icons for rxvt's (or xterms) running
1138 ----------------------------------
1139 The simplest way is to run each rxvt with a different -name parameter.
1141 For example, I want to run an rxvt for irc and one for mail. This is an
1142 example of what I'd do:
1145 rxvt -name "irc" -e "irc"
1148 rxvt -name "mail" -e "pine"
1150 This would result in each rxvt now having the instance and class of irc.Xterm
1151 and mail.Xterm respectively, so that Window Maker can now set Attributes
1152 for them individually.
1155 5.9 How do I launch multiple instances of XTerm from one appicon?
1156 ----------------------------------
1157 The easiest way to accomplish this is to dock XTerm as normal. Then Go
1158 to the 'Attributes menu' -> 'Application Specific' and select 'no application
1161 You can also right-click on the docked appicon and select settings. Change
1162 the 'Application Path with arguments' section to
1166 where foo.sh is the following script
1171 This should allow unlimited XTerms without appicon clutter.
1174 5.10 How do I allow Alt+# to work in an rxvt session? (with irc for
1176 ----------------------------------
1177 First, Launch a unique instance of rxvt or xterm.
1178 This can be done using the -name option of rxvt.
1181 rxvt -name foo -e irc
1183 Then, go to the Attributes menu (right click on titlebar (or hit F10) and
1184 choose 'Attributes...')
1185 Then choose 'Advanced Options' from the listbox and enable 'Don't Bind
1186 Keyboard shortcuts'.
1187 Click 'Save' and 'Apply' and you should be able to run your session without
1191 5.11 Window Maker breaks scilab
1192 ----------------------------------
1194 If you refer to the problem of the "graphics" window of scilab not showing
1195 up in Window Maker, this is caused by a bug in scilab. You can see the
1196 cause of the problem by yourself, by running xprop on the graphic window:
1197 WM_NORMAL_HINTS(WM_SIZE_HINTS):
1198 user specified location: 136679205, 1074468360
1199 user specified size: 400 by 300
1200 program specified minimum size: 400 by 300
1202 Now, when scilab opens it's window, Window Maker nicely does exactly what it
1203 is told, that is, map the window at position 136679205, 1074468360 which
1204 obviously falls outside the screen no matter how big is your monitor ;)
1206 Meanwhile, the workaround for this is to open the window list menu
1207 (click on the root window with the middle mouse button) and click
1208 on the ScilabGraphic entry. The window should be brought to your
1209 reach. Then, open the window commands menu (right click on window's
1210 titlebar) and open the Attributes panel. Go to the "Advanced Options"
1211 section, check the "Keep inside screen" option and save.
1213 If you can recompile Scilab, this came from a Scilab developer:
1216 size_hints.flags = USPosition | USSize | PMinSize;
1218 size_hints.flags = /** USPosition |**/ USSize | PMinSize;
1220 in routines/xsci/jpc_SGraph.c
1223 5.12 Netscape shows black and white icons
1224 ----------------------------------
1226 This is because Netscape uses monochrome icons when running under olwm
1227 and you are using the OPEN LOOK emulation option. If you do not use any XView
1228 apps anyway, recompile Window Maker without the --enable-openlook option.
1229 If you need OPEN LOOK emulation, you will have to get used to the monochrome
1230 icons or change then manually in the Attributes panel for each window.
1233 5.13 Snow flakes from xsnow don't acumulate on titlebars!
1234 ----------------------------------
1236 Because of the way xsnow is coded, it seems that it can't "see"
1237 windows with the SaveUnder attribute turned on. So, if snow
1238 accumulation on windows is vital for you, disable SaveUnders in
1239 WPrefs, in the advanced options section.
1246 6.1 How do I get a normal X application to produce an appicon?
1247 ----------------------------------
1248 You must define the WM_CLASS (XSetClassHint()) and the
1249 CLIENT_LEADER or XWMHints.window_group properties, which are
1250 automatically set by most applications that use Xt (Motif, Athena ...),
1251 but if you use plain Xlib you must set them by hand.
1253 Also you must make a call to XSetCommand(dpy, leader, argv, argc);
1255 Take a look at Window Maker-0.1x.x/test/test.c that is an example for
1256 writing such an app (which also have an app menu).
1259 6.2 How do I get my tcl/tk application to produce an appicon?
1260 ----------------------------------
1261 Oliver Graf <ograf@fga.de> writes:
1263 The main window (normally this is called '.' [dot] in tk) should use the
1266 wm command . [concat $argv0 $argv]
1269 All child windows attached to the same app-icon should use:
1274 where .child should be replaced by the actual window path.
1276 Replace '.' with the actual main-window path and 'wm group .child .' should
1277 be added for each 'toplevel .child' call.
1281 ----------------------------------
1282 WINGs Is Not GNUstep. ;)
1284 It is the Widget Library written for the widgets in Window Maker.
1286 It is currently under heavy development but several people have started
1287 writing applications in it. Its goal is to emulate the NeXT(tm)-style widgets.
1289 http://www.ozemail.com.au/~crn/wm/wings.html is the closest thing to an
1290 information center about WINGs by <crn@ozemail.com.au>.
1293 6.4 Where can I get more information about WINGs?
1294 ----------------------------------
1295 Nic Berstein <nic@postilion.org> has created a WINGs Developement list.
1297 The purpose of this list is to provide a forum for support, ideas,
1298 suggestions, bug reports etc. for the WINGs widget set library.
1300 To subscribe to this list, send a message with the word ``subscribe'' in the
1301 _BODY_ of the message to: <wings-request@postilion.org>.
1305 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
1306 Miscellaneous Questions:
1307 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
1309 7.1 Is there a pager for Window Maker?
1310 ----------------------------------
1311 Not at the moment because there is not a pressing need for a pager. The
1312 concept of multiple desktops does exist and there are currently 3 ways to
1313 switch between them.
1315 First, the Alt+Number combination will switch between desktops. The
1316 Workspaces menu will also let you switch workspaces. Lastly, the Clip will
1317 also scroll one through workspaces.
1319 For those that would like to send an application to a specific workspace,
1320 either drag it to an edge of the desktop onto the next workspace or you can
1321 right click on the titlebar, choose "Move to..." and choose the appropriate
1324 BUT, Window Maker does support KDE and GNOME protocols, including the
1325 workspace management stuff, so you can use Window Maker in these
1326 environments and use their pagers.
1330 7.2 Can I have folders like in AfterStep?
1331 ----------------------------------
1332 No. Window Maker does however support the collapsable Clip per desktop
1333 for a similar functionality.
1336 7.3 How do I use getstyle and setstyle?
1337 ----------------------------------
1338 To capture the current Window Maker style, use the command
1340 getstyle > current.style
1343 To replace the current style, use the command
1345 setstyle filename.style
1348 7.4 Why don't you distribute {normal diff, xdelta} patches?
1349 ----------------------------------
1350 Whenever possible plain diff patches are distributed. If the new version has
1351 new binary files, normal diff won't be able to handle them, so a patch
1352 package is distributed, instead. We don't use xdelta because: - most
1353 systems do not have xdelta installed; - xdelta is picky and require the file to
1354 be patched to be exactly the same as the one used to make the patch. The
1355 patch package scheme used is much more flexible.
1357 We do not distribute a simple diff with the binary files separately (and
1358 variations, like uuencoding the binary files) because: - it is more
1359 complicated and error prone to require the user to manually move the files
1360 to the correct places; - the current patch package scheme *does* distribute
1361 the binary files and diff files separately. If the user wants to install everything
1362 by hand, nobody will object to that; - sooner or later someone will certainly
1363 ask for a script to automate the file moving stuff.
1365 So we hacked a script (mkpatch) that automatically creates a patch
1366 package with the normal text diff file, a list of removed files and the binary
1367 files that have changed or been added, plus a script that does the patching
1368 automatically. If you don't like the script, you can apply the patch and move
1369 the files manually. Or download the whole distribution.
1372 7.5 Will you add GNOME support?
1373 ----------------------------------
1375 Support for GNOME hints is included since 0.50.0.
1381 8.1 What exactly are themes?
1382 ----------------------------------
1383 Themes are a great aspect of Window Maker allowing a user to simply
1384 save the entire 'look' of their desktop in a Archive to distribute freely among
1385 friends, fellow users and/or the whole net in general. :)
1387 See the theme-HOWTO at http://wm.current.nu/themes/theme-HOWTO.html
1388 for an in-depth walk-through on making a Theme archive.
1391 8.2 How do I install a Theme?
1392 ----------------------------------
1393 This should be as simple as untarring the Theme.tar.gz into one of two
1394 places. You can untar it to the global /usr/local/share/WindowMaker/* directory,
1395 and have it be accessable to all users, or you can untar it to your own
1396 ~/GNUstep/Library/WindowMaker/ directory for your own personal use.
1398 Use your favorite variation of the following:
1400 gzip -dc "Theme.tar.gz" | tar xvf -
1402 *(directory may differ on some systems)
1405 8.3 How do I make a Theme?
1406 ----------------------------------
1407 Please see the theme-HOWTO at http://wm.current.nu/themes/theme-HOWTO.html
1408 for details, here is a short summary. Also, read the README.themes file
1409 included with the Window Maker distribution in the WindowMaker/ directory.
1411 In this walk-through when I use WindowMaker/, it can refer to the global
1412 /usr/local/share/WindowMaker/ directory or the users own
1413 ~/GNUstep/Library/WindowMaker/ directory.
1415 To make a Theme.tar.gz, these are the steps I take:
1417 1.Optionally create a README for your theme in WindowMaker/, call it
1418 something like "ThemeName.txt"
1420 2.Use the following command to add the Theme files to your .tar file.
1422 tar cvf ThemeName.tar ThemeName.txt Themes/ThemeName
1423 Backgrounds/ThemeNameBG.jpg Backgrounds/ThemeNameTile.xpm
1425 You can add as many more images as you need from the
1426 appropriate directories under WindowMaker/ following that general
1427 idea. You can even optionally add an IconSets/ThemeName.iconset and
1428 it's associated icons to your theme in the same manner. This should
1429 be stated in your README if you decide to include these.
1431 3.Then gzip your .tar file to make your ThemeName.tar.gz file with this
1434 gzip -9 ThemeName.tar
1436 4.Now give it to your friends!
1439 ====================================================================
1440 and they lived happily ever after.
1441 ====================================================================