How do you configure fluxbox?
 

How do I do basic things like changing the wallpaper, adding icons to desktop, adding stuff to the menu, etc. in fluxbox? I hear it is very customizable but I can't seem to find a way to do these things :confused:

man fluxbox
is an INVALUABLE resource for these kind of things.

Most things are being set-up in ~/.fluxbox , have a look
at the files in there. Appearance is modified by styles,
which you can easily copy & modify to your hearts
content.


Cheers,
Tink

Wow that was fast!

Thanks I'll take a look into that.

btw, just so it won't take up another thread, what should I use as a file browser (sorta like explorer.exe in windows). I'm using Debian if that helps.

There is also a tool name fluxconf(http://devaux.fabien.free.fr/flux/) which might probably be installed. For more customization you need follow what Tinkster said.
Fluxbox is not a desktop but a simple window manager without desktop icons. You can try idesk, rox desktop or fbdesk if you want those functions.

* xfe is nice and fast http://roland65.free.fr/xfe/index.php?page=screenshots
* rox-filer too http://rox.sourceforge.net/phpwiki/static.html
* There are few others gentoo, filerunner, etc.

Using apt-get, aptitude or synaptic you can get it if you want :

I can't really recommend any, I do most of my file-management
in the shell (occasionally using mc).

I've heard good things about Endeavour2 for instance ...


Cheers,
Tink

Thanks for the replies everyone

For some reason, rox is not in the list of packages according to apt-get. xfe works though :confused:

And is it required to have a desktop in order to change the background? Reading the man for fluxbox revealed no info on doing this...

You can change your wallpaper fbsetbg. Any basic wallpaper setter will work but fbsetbg is a wrapper, it'll look for the best setter you have installed and use that :)

Well fbsetbg didn't work by itself but i installed Eterm and it did :) Now I just have to find a way to put icons there...

btw, what's a wrapper (or setter)?

you also might want to have a look at the fluxbox FAQ while you're at it. it goes over most of the basic elements of configuring flux.
http://fluxbox.sourceforge.net/docbook.php

:study:

If you want icons, here are some options:

deskicon (requires adesklets) / shameless plug
idesk
fbdesk

So I've installed idesk but now I need to make the config file. I found the sample file on the official site but I don't know how to copy and paste it into a file ( :newbie: ). How do I copy and paste into a text editor (or like vim or something)?

Also what should I use as my general editor? There don't seem to be any notepad lookalikes available.

It's SAFEST to learn how to use vi, because you'll be hard
pressed to find ANY linux/unix machine that doesn't have it
installed. It's also very fast and convenient (no, it's not
intuitive) once you get your head around it :)


Cheers,
Tink

In vi, how would I copy something from say ... firefox... and paste into it through an x-term? The usual ctrl+v doesn't work :confused:

Thanks for the reply

Use X-means ... highlight it with the rodent and Button1,
and then in vi just press i and middle-click.


Cheers,
Tink