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