Keywords:
Linux application windows set opacity, transparency, translucent translucency

I want to be able to watch a music video or downloaded television show in the background in nearly full screen but to have a terminal, an openoffice writer window or a browser above the video set at 20-50% opacity so that I have some idea what is going on in the background video and can quickly minimize the above application if something interesting happens.

Does this feature require compiz or xgl? I am running a ati radeon 9200 which I've read has xgl problems.

I am open to any distribution and would appreciate instructions to install whatever software is necessary to create this effect. The easier the better, so if the whole thing can be set up through various gui's that would be optimal.

While I'm here, I would also appreciate suggestions for video players that take very little screen space. Maybe a small navigation bar on the bottom, options to remove any file menus and the rest of the application window devoted to the video.

Thanks.

On FC5 using an Nvidia card, I am using xcompmgr and transset to do this. It's not without a bug or two, but it certainly does produce what you want. The transparerncy can be adjusted as you like. I've also become quite fond of the drop shadows.