Running a Java Program from XWindows
 

I would like to know if it is possible to start XWindows without starting up Gnome or KDE and then running a Java App. What I am trying to accomplish is essentially a kiosk machine. If someone is able to exit out of my app (which they shouldn't be able to), I don't want them in a windowed environment. Is this even possible? I'm not quite sure where to start on this issue.

The ideal situation would be to have the machine boot up, and then start up my Java application once the XServer is running. I have been able to accomplish this using Gnome, but I would like to not start up Gnome or KDE in order to get this to work.

Any advice is greatly appreciated

would failsafe suit your needs?

also, i think there was recently an article in either linux journal, or linux magazine, which dealt with setting up terminal servers... i think there was mention of X related stuff (as there should have been) check out www.linuxjournal.com and search for marcel gagnes articles.... cooking with linux is the column. pm me if you cant find anything, i'll take a look in my lj archive later

The link you suggested was a good one. I found that I can just pass a command to the startx command, and it will bypass the xinitrc file and just load a stripped down XServer. The only thing I need to figure out now, is how to get the system to boot, automatically log in, then start the x server. Seems like I need to start up in Run Level 3, then do the login, then start up my app with the startx command. Does this seem like the logical way to accomplish this?

this could be done with scripting of course... if you look into it more, i bet there's a way to use kdm, gdm or xdm to accomplish what your looking for (if you're looking for that sort of login). also maybe edititing ~/.xinitrc would allow you to do this, since the startx command reads .xinitrc ( i think). good luck

kiosk X machine
 

I won't go into all the details, but here is the rough outline of what needs to be done. I am assuming a RedHat based system.

Install the system with only Classic X Windows installed.

• Install the system with only Classic X Windows installed.
• Install the jvm and your app.
• Be sure you can log in, get the xterm, and start your app--put the classpath on the java command line.
• Configure /etc/X11/gdm/gdm.conf for the user that you want to log in automagically. Set "AutomaticLoginEnable=true"
• edit the /etc/X11/twm/system.twmrc file to get rid of the menus
• create file ~/.Xclients in the home directory of the login id you set to autologin. Put your java command line there.