How-to start wmaker/xfce4/fluxbox/fvwm as user

Sader · 03-10-2005, 11:31 PM

Hello !

I've just installed Slackware 10.1 on my machine. I've installed !!NO!! KDE/GNOME cause I do not like them too much.... I like to do some thing by hands, you know....

Anyway, I've added a new user, to use my machine as a non-root..., but there is my weak point... How can I start wmaker/xfce4/fluxbox/fvwm as a normal user ?

I'm aware of the command starxfce4, but is there another way to do that for xfce... ? Other window managers ?

That was easy with KDM & GDM where you can choose what WM you'd like to start... Perhaps there is a simple display manager that can provide choices...?

Pls assist with this one.

Thanks,
Sader.

CrazyHoboMan · 03-11-2005, 12:23 AM

This solution will affect all the users on your slackware machine, so I'm not sure if it's quite the solution you're looking for.

Run pkgtool as root, then choose setup. Choose to run xwmconfig, then choose you WM.

tw001_tw · 03-11-2005, 12:24 AM

"xwmconfig" ? That what your looking for?
I think all that does is modify your ~/.xinitrc

If its not what your after, sorry.
-tw

Skazi · 03-11-2005, 01:22 AM

As said above, 'xwmconfig' to choose a window manager, then 'startx' to run X with it.

xwmconfig should only change the window manager for the current user.

blood_omen · 03-11-2005, 03:12 AM

Another way in which you could do it, is by creating a .xinitrc file and put in there the paths to your many Windows Managers, and comment or uncomment as the need arise.

Example, assuming that the executables for wmaker, xfce4, fluxbox and fvwm are in /usr/local/bin you could easily do:

Code:

echo "exec /usr/local/bin/wmaker" > ~/.xinitrc
echo "exec /usr/local/bin/startxfce4" >> ~/.xinitrc
echo "exec /usr/local/bin/fluxbox" >> ~/.xinitrc
echo "exec /usr/local/bin/fvwm" >> ~/.xinitrc

The first line will create .xinitrc and add the path to the executable, the subsequent lines will just append "exec ..." to .xinitrc

You will end up having something like this in your .xinitrc file:

/usr/local/bin/wmaker
/usr/local/bin/startxfce4
/usr/local/bin/fluxbox
/usr/local/bin/fvwm

Now, the only thing you need to do is comment all the lines except the one that has the WM you want to use, and then just startx. Assuming you want xfce, the .xinitrc would look like:

#/usr/local/bin/wmaker
/usr/local/bin/startxfce4
#/usr/local/bin/fluxbox
#/usr/local/bin/fvwm

Then:

Code:

startx

Enjoy X.

I hope this help, have a nice day.

Sader · 03-11-2005, 04:02 AM

thanks guys...

I think that should work !

br
Sader

bigearsbilly · 03-11-2005, 08:53 AM

or, for fun....

make your ~/.xinitrc:

Code:

xterm

which gives you a bare window.
You can then start any windowmanager e.g:
type 'wmaker' or 'twm' or 'fvwm'