[SOLVED] Start graphical program from console mode

cryptonoia · 08-17-2011, 02:03 PM

How might I start a graphical program - say Firefox - from console mode, ie, runlevel 3 on Slackware current? I understand I'd need to start the X server, but I want to know if it's possible to do that without loading XFCE or whatever, and if so how, and whether I'd have a mouse, &c. Thanks.

eSelix · 08-17-2011, 02:15 PM

Yes, you don't need any window manager to run graphical program. But be aware, that you cannot easily control, for example, its window size, there be no window title with buttons to close or maximize, etc. X server is run through "xinit" command, so you can enter:

Code:

xinit /usr/bin/firefox

After closing Firefox, the X server automatically exit. Look "man xinit" for more.

The mouse and keyboard are not mandatory, perhaps you will need to adjust "AutoEnableDevices", "AllowMouseOpenFail", "AutoAddDevices" settings in xorg.conf.

cryptonoia · 08-17-2011, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eSelix

Yes, you don't need any window manager to run graphical program. But be aware, that you cannot easily control, for example, its window size, there be no window title with buttons to close or maximize, etc. X server is run through "xinit" command, so you can enter:

Code:

xinit /usr/bin/firefox

After closing Firefox, the X server automatically exit. Look "man xinit" for more.

The mouse and keyboard are not mandatory, perhaps you will need to adjust "AutoEnableDevices", "AllowMouseOpenFail", "AutoAddDevices" settings in xorg.conf.

Excellent, worked like a charm. I noticed a few quirks, as you mentioned there would be - window size was not full screen, and I couldn't actually use menus because when I clicked on a menu and moved a mouse, the menu disappeared. I had to Ctrl-Q to exit, but, as you said, it took me right back to the console. I'll play around with this some more, thank you.