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Vincent 06-16-2004 06:25 AM

workstation without X?
 
Hi,
I'd would like to test how far I can build a system which accomplishes the common workstation functions without going back to X-related applications at as much comfort as possible.

Do you have any experience with a projekt like that?

Which general approach would you recommend?

Which applications would you recommend?



Vincent

elybis 06-16-2004 06:36 AM

i'd recommend the following applications for a textmode only workstation:

browser: lynx, links (graphical with svgalib iirc)
mail: mutt, pine
irc: bitchx, irssi
im: centericq
editor: vi
file manager, ftp client: midnight commander
other: screen

best regards

Noryungi 06-16-2004 06:44 AM

Hi!

I have a Pentium 133MHz, with 90 MB of RAM running Slackware 9.1 and it works pretty well. You actually have a ton of text-only applications that are very powerful under Slackware.

My recommendations:

1. Word Processing: Vim + TeX + ispell + enscript.
2. E-mail: mutt or pine. Of course, mutt is more powerful, but pine is easier.
3. WWW: links.
4. FTP: NcFTP.
5. File operations: mc or bash ( of course! :D ).
6. Programming: gcc, python, perl, etc (all work in console mode).
7. Spreadsheet: sc.
8. Audio: mpg321 or workbone.
9. News: tin or trn.
10. Graphics: seejpeg.
11. Games: the entire 'Y' group of packages.
12. Telecom/BBS: minicom (if you need to use a modem) or ssh.

Etc... etc... Check out the 'A', 'AP' and 'N' groups of packages for more ideas. Make sure you use 'screen' to manage all this, and you are all set! :)

Some people might even say that you only need to learn emacs and you will be able to do all this and more! :)

Of course, using X11 is a bit more comfortable for some of these functions, but console mode still offers a ton of functionalities, and run very well even on limited machines.

Hope this helps! :D

Vincent 06-16-2004 07:18 AM

Thx so far! :)

Would you recommend using gpm?

I've heard that it is possible to play videos in text mode via ascii. This would be a nice gimmick, too! :D

Noryungi: What do you meant, I should use 'screen'? :confused:

Marsanghas 06-16-2004 07:33 AM

screen is a program. From the package description:

screen (screen manager with VT100/ANSI terminal emulation)

Screen is a full-screen window manager that multiplexes a physical
terminal between several processes (typically interactive shells).
Each virtual terminal provides the functions of a DEC VT100 terminal
and several control functions from the ISO 6492 (ECMA 48, ANSI X3.64)
and ISO 2022 standards (e.g. insert/delete line and support for
multiple character sets). There is a scrollback history buffer for
each virtual terminal and a copy-and-paste mechanism that allows
moving text regions between windows.

Never used it... but it sounds cool :-) Think I'll try it myself as well :-)

oneandoneis2 06-16-2004 07:34 AM

See http://freshmeat.net/projects/screen - screen is a wonderful gadget that allows multiple shells to be run on one console. Plus it has the dead handy ability to be detached and re-attached.

So if you're in the middle of some convoluted task and have to log out, you detach the screen, log out, then come back, log back in, re-attach screen, and it's like you never left.

When I was at uni, I used to have screen running 24/7, as it meant I could login on any machine, re-attach my screen, and have email, MUD, lynx et al instantly accessible, just like that..

ringwraith 06-16-2004 11:41 PM

agree with most of the above suggestions, BUT, have to put in a plug for my favorite newsreader, slrn

Noryungi 06-17-2004 06:36 PM

Hi!

Yes, 'screen', as described, is a pretty good program that allows you to have multiple virtual consoles on one terminal. Sorry about this, I was not very clear in my original post!

As for 'gpm', I never use it, since I think it actually distracts from the console/typing itself. Besides, few console applications are 'gpm' aware. I think 'links' is one exception there.

gbonvehi 06-17-2004 09:07 PM

Actually GPM is very comfortable to copy & paste text in the console :)
I usually do a ls to get a package i want to install, then i just doble-click it (highlight the file) then midle click, and magic, don't have to type it :P

Forgot to say that using links with -g option (uses framebuffer) works very good too, it's almost like using a browser on X.

MS3FGX 06-17-2004 09:12 PM

I have been using my laptop without any GUI for quite some time. I can do just as much as I can on my desktop.

You can also watch videos without X. Mplayer can play videos on the framebuffer.


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