fluxbox - running commands without console
 

Hi,
I recently switched over to fluxbox from KDE and i have to say that I just luv it. It is way faster and cleaner than KDE. But I can't seem to figure out how to do something in flux that is really easy in KDE - run a command without either opening up a console or editing my menu file. The reason I want this is to be able to run programs easily that I don't use often enough to have in my flux menu - I really like to keep things minimal there. I know I could easily run gui programs from a console, but then there are extra console windows lying around as well.
Any ideas?

-geomatt

Install and use xbindkeys

You'll like it :)

Thanks for the suggestion.
After a quick check at the xbindkeys home page I'm not sure it's what I'm after. I already use some key bindings in flux, and it seems that xbindkeys extends the possible bindings further than flux. But what I am looking to do is avoid having to configure in every possible program I would want to run and just have a generic window that opens up with a command line and then let's me run a command and then closes. In KDE on the main menu there is a "run command" option that does just that.

Right, install a program like "grun" and then use a keyboard shortcut, like "Alt-F2" to run that program.

You get your regular run box from the keyboard, since you are going to be typing in it anyway, it saves you time over reaching for the mouse and then back.

Just add the following command to your menu: fbrun
It's not the cutest thing you'll ever see but I think it does what you want.

Hey that's exactly what I wanted. fbrun looks ok, and I'll try out grun too. I knew there had to be a simple way of doing it.
Thanks!!!

No problem :)

oh sweet, i was kinda wondering that myself, that is now added onto my menu, but im still in the debate of what file manager to use, does anyone have any suggestions?

I'm still using konqueror as a file manager since I like the bells and whistles like ease of unpacking archived files and lots of options for images. I was looking around for a slimmer file manager but haven't found one I like yet.

at the moment im using linuxcmd because i dont like all the crap that loads up with konqueror, but i DO like the icons(easier to differentiate between files without opening them). Im not a huge fan of two panes in it either...

You can get rid of the two panes in konqueror and then save the settings. I also like a single window with folders and names.

lol i was accualy talking about linuxcmd, i DO like konqueror, but its bloated... If you type konqueror in a shell, just watch all that garbage that gets loaded up. And im trying to get as far away from kde as possible.

If you want something small and useful you could use Rox, easy cute and small.
There's also another called Gentoo (no, not the distribution) that is a file manager a-la Midnight Commander but with a nice GUI.

oops
don't know nothing bout linuxcmd ;)
I know what you mean about kde bloat. I'll keep trying other fm's.

Did you check Xnortherncaptain ? that's what I use with fluxbox, it's fast and simple.