Very Lightweight window manager

danimalz · 01-11-2006, 01:46 AM

I am re-deploying a server; it is quite old.

here's the specs: pentium1, 250mhz, 32mb RAM.

I've used this machine quite successfully as a headless
server. Now I want to see if I can deploy it for very simple web-enabled tasks like email, surfing, etc.

what's the best 'window-manager' for doing this? I am running debian 2.4 kernel on this old boy.

any advice apprec...
thx,
danimal

ille.pugil42 · 01-11-2006, 02:15 AM

well, I've succesfully used blackbox, twm, xfce and even afterstep on such a system. I'd recommend checking those out. You can even go up to enlightenment -- but that may be pushing it.

On a side note, you can even use something like kde/gnome on such a system, it will just be "a trifle" slow

nx5000 · 01-11-2006, 03:43 AM

I use openbox for small machines, its not bad..

gunnix · 01-11-2006, 07:09 AM

I'd suggest icewm with a theme like SilverXP.

And do this in /etc/X11/icewm/preferences:
OpaqueMove=0
OpaqueResize=0
MenuMouseTracking=1
TaskBarShowCPUStatus=0 and TaskBarShowNetStatus=0 . I only set them to 0 on slow computers to save resources.
ShutdownCommand="sudo shutdown -h now"
RebootCommand="sudo shutdown -r now"

h2gofast · 01-11-2006, 12:52 PM

fluxbox is pretty cool.

danimalz · 01-12-2006, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ille.pugil42

well, I've succesfully used blackbox, twm, xfce and even afterstep on such a system. I'd recommend checking those out. You can even go up to enlightenment -- but that may be pushing it.

On a side note, you can even use something like kde/gnome on such a system, it will just be "a trifle" slow

I assume that any window manager running on an actual terminal would always need xfree86 running?

anggoro · 01-12-2006, 10:49 PM

I use Oroborus. It's small enough and configurable. It gives blank window manager. No menu at all, but you can use deskmenu and desklaunch (iconize). You can manage this WM to fulfill anything you want to be. But, if you want easy to use small WM, I recommend Blackbox or Fluxbox.

ille.pugil42 · 01-13-2006, 02:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danimalz

I assume that any window manager running on an actual terminal would always need xfree86 running?

Yes, you'll need X running for any of the window managers, unless you feel like working direct from console - at that point a 386 with 8MB of RAM may just suffice

nx5000 · 01-13-2006, 04:11 AM

What about XDirectFB?
I don't know the developpment status and the memory consumption.

http://www.directfb.org/index.php?pa...ts%2FXDirectFB
Just by curiousity I may try it a day.

There is also the Xserver on Ipod I don't remember the name.
edit:
ok , it is this (its primarly used for embemded device, like iPod but for specific use should be usable under linux)
http://www.microwindows.org/

There is maybe some work to do but this is really a lightweight X server (less than 100k)

manoel · 01-13-2006, 05:55 AM

blackbox is cool, but dont forget to install the bbkeys package