desktops, how it all comes togather (getting wbar working with openbox)

mreff555 · 12-25-2012, 12:57 PM

Currently I use a very simple setup which is very fast and simple.
I use slim with loads openbox. I have tint2 for a taskbar. I don't use anything to set a background, so the background is the same as the slim background. I kinda like it this way and it's fast.

However I decided I wanted to try to get wbar working instead of tint2 just to make it a little prettier.

The problem I am concerned with at the moment is that I can't get wbar to be above the desktop. (yes I checked the box in config)
Another thread I was looking at suggested xcompmgr. however this doesn't seem to have any effect.

Here is my question. I don't totally understand how this all comes together. In order for a taskbar to work right it must have to reside in a different layer. What creates that layer?

mreff555 · 12-27-2012, 07:47 AM

Well, since obviously nobody has any useful input I might as well just keep blabbing about my progress.

I was able to set wbar perminantly on top with the following lines in the application section of rc.xml

Code:

<application name="wbar">
    <desktop>all</desktop>
    <layer>above</layer>
  </application>

The problem now is that wbar takes a screen shot of the background in the vicinity of the wbar windows every time it is reloaded, so if a window is sitting under the bar when it is reloaded that window is captured. It will look fine until something is moved. I'm not sure if there is a good way to fix it, but I'm trying an experiment.
Using rc.xml. I am trying to force a reload every time
1. the desktop is switched
2. applications are switched "alt tab"
3. on any dragging action

I made a really simple script called /usr/bin/wreload which is just

Code:

#!/bin/bash
killall wbar
wbar

I have been able to implement this for desktop switching, that is C-A-Left,Right as well as C-A-F1,F2,F3,F4
but I haven't managed to get it working with the other two circumstances.
For the second circumstance. when I try to insert a section in to the keybindings for "alt tab" like

Code:

<application name="wbar">
<command>wreload</command>
</application>

It doesn't seem to work. Strangely enough it works in other sections.
Let me know if anyone has any suggestions.
I'll keep everyone posted.