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-   -   Xsnow. It Is That Time Of The Year. (https://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/slackware-14/xsnow-it-is-that-time-of-the-year-850039/)

cwizardone 12-13-2010 07:45 PM

Xsnow. It Is That Time Of The Year.
 
Is there a 'trick' to running Xsnow on the Xfce or KDE desktop? At the moment I have it running in Fluxbox, but prefer Xfce.
OTOH, I like what I see of Fluxbox. Amazingly lightweight!

hitest 12-13-2010 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cwizardone (Post 4190438)
OTOH, I like what I see of Fluxbox. Amazingly lightweight!

Yeah, Fluxbox is awesome. :)

ponce 12-14-2010 12:09 AM

for kde4, found this: it's fine but... ok, xsnow is another thing :)

but if noone updates it, it won't run there.

qweasd 12-14-2010 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cwizardone (Post 4190438)
Is there a 'trick' to running Xsnow on the Xfce or KDE desktop?

Probably not exactly what you are looking for, but in KDE there is a Snow plugin, in System Settings > Desktop > Desktop Effects > All Effects >

devnull10 12-14-2010 06:21 AM

Shame that it doesn't work with KDE. I tried using it with FVWM2 which works apart from it doesn't like conky! :(

GazL 12-14-2010 06:48 AM

All the modern desktop environments replace the X11 root window with their own full-screen window which holds desktop icons and what have you. Compositing window managers also tend to do this. When you run something like xsnow it still uses the root window which is covered by the desktop window so you can't see the animation. To get xsnow and other older stuff that uses the root window to work under xfce you'll have to disable xfdesktop (Settings/Session and Startup), but then you lose the desktop functionality that it provides.

allend 12-14-2010 07:24 AM

/me ponders. Snow?
- poor TV picture due to weak signal?
- fabled photoshop effect in mountain scenes?
- environment visited by dollar burners with desire to wear plaster?

cwizardone 12-14-2010 09:06 AM

Ponse and Qweasd,
Yes, thank you, I was aware of that, but, as Ponse said, "...xsnow is another thing." :)

Gazl,
I tried removing the xfdesktop, but xsnow still wouldn't run. Oh, well... guess I was being just a little too nostalgic. I remember how much my children liked it when they were very young. Kinda of liked it myself. :)
So, it looks like it is Fluxbox for The Christmas Season.
:)

Thanks to all of you for your suggestions and Merry Christmas!

:hattip:

Keith Hedger 12-14-2010 12:37 PM

1 Attachment(s)
xsnow runs fine on 64bit slackware running gnome

mlangdn 12-14-2010 01:05 PM

I couldn't get it to run on KDE, nor does KDE's Snow effect work. Maybe I have to logout and back in? That shouldn't be right, though.

jmccue 12-14-2010 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith Hedger (Post 4191303)
xsnow runs fine on 64bit slackware running gnome

Hi Keith

Did you upgrade to 1.42 ? Slackware (seems all releases) comes with
xsnow 1.40 and I usually upgrade to 1.42. I only upgrade because I
like the graphic of the santa in 1.42, your screen seems to have the
same graphic as 1.42 (or is there an option I do not know about).

Regards
john

PS, maybe the OP can try an upgrade of xsnow, it is quite easy to build
(I cannot past in urls, but maybe google xsnow-1.42.tar.gz)

Keith Hedger 12-14-2010 04:19 PM

actually I use a hacked copy of xsnow which I've added lights and the xmas tree to but it compiled fine it says its version 1.42

qweasd 12-14-2010 06:22 PM

I know I am not helping anyone, but here is xsnow in mwm in xnest in KDE :p
http://melikamp.com/gfx/xnest-mwm-xsnow.png (~1.7 MiB)

cwizardone 12-14-2010 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmccue (Post 4191480)
...PS, maybe the OP can try an upgrade of xsnow, it is quite easy to build
(I cannot past in urls, but maybe google xsnow-1.42.tar.gz)

Many Thanks! I didn't know there was a newer version. By upgrading* to 1.42, Xsnow
now works in Xfce. I couldn't get it to work in KDE, but as I now use Xfce 99.9% of
the time that is no great loss. :)
Again, many thanks!
Ho, Ho, HO! Merry Christmas!


*Actually since there wasn't a package available, I compiled and installed 1.42.

kurtwall 12-14-2010 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith Hedger (Post 4191303)
xsnow runs fine on 64bit slackware running gnome

That's totally awesome. Love xsnow!

cwizardone 12-15-2010 10:22 PM

Well, 1.42 works and I'm glad to have it, but I liked 1.40 much better.
In 1.42 the snow doesn't accumulate on the open windows, it just falls
directly to the bottom of the screen. OTOH, the Santa is better in
1.42, but, again, OTOH, I liked the reindeer better in 1.40.
Oh, well, as I said, good to have it nevertheless.
:)

Keith Hedger 12-16-2010 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cwizardone (Post 4193077)
...
In 1.42 the snow doesn't accumulate on the open windows, it just falls directly to the bottom of the screen
...

see the man page and the -wsnowdepth, -ssnowdepth and -nokeepsnow options

T3slider 12-16-2010 02:56 PM

I think -nonopopup might be more appropriate...

cwizardone 12-16-2010 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T3slider (Post 4193967)
I think -nonopopup might be more appropriate...

Yes, that is what I thought from reading the man page, but it didn't work.
Oh, well....
:)

cwizardone 12-17-2010 07:25 PM

Ah, ha!
I've found that once "compositor" is turned off in Xfce, then the snow will accumulate on open windows as it is designed to do, without using any options when starting xsnow.
Ho, Ho, Ho.
:)

andrew.46 01-01-2011 05:58 AM

1 Attachment(s)
Hi cwizardone,

Quote:

Originally Posted by cwizardone (Post 4191801)
*Actually since there wasn't a package available, I compiled and installed 1.42.

Indeed the old xsnow did not work on my system but the newer version works beautifully on xfce. Only needs the new source and 2 small changes to the slackbuild for xgames in xap, perhaps PV would be interested in this small change?

Andrew

BTW Have we 'met' on aolu in the past?

lopid 01-01-2011 07:34 AM

So to get it working as it used to on newer desktops, we have to disable xcompmgr?

andrew.46 03-20-2011 04:05 AM

Thanks PV and team:

Code:

xap/xgames-0.3-x86_64-3.txz:  Rebuilt.
  Upgraded to xsnow-1.42.  :)

We will all be ready for Xmas now!

cwizardone 03-20-2011 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrew.46 (Post 4296813)
Thanks PV and team:

Code:

xap/xgames-0.3-x86_64-3.txz:  Rebuilt.
  Upgraded to xsnow-1.42.  :)

We will all be ready for Xmas now!

Ditto.
Many Thanks.

Keith Hedger 12-07-2014 08:01 PM

For all your holiday decorations try this:

http://xfce-look.org/content/show.ph...content=167575

Works on xfce,kde,gnome,mate,lxde

lopid 12-08-2014 05:04 PM

That's good but the snow does not land on windows :-(

Keith Hedger 12-08-2014 05:12 PM

No it doesn't I never did like the way xsnow did that., if you move or close the window xsnow doesn't know about the new ppsition etc and it starts to look scruffy, also of course xsnow ( which I used for years and loved ) now doesn't work on a lot of platforms because it draws to the root window that a lot of platforms cover, ie xsnow doesn't work on kde, gnome, or lxde ( least without hacking about ), xdecorations does.

lopid 12-09-2014 04:08 AM

Yeah :-( I think it's more cosy when the snow buildings up, exciting! And then you have to wipe it clean when it gets scruffy, as you say. Would there be a chance that you could add it in as an option?

Keith Hedger 12-09-2014 04:24 AM

I will see what I can do!

lopid 12-09-2014 04:29 AM

:-D

Keith Hedger 12-12-2014 04:39 AM

Just posted an update with some extra graphics and smaller santas :)
http://xfce-look.org/content/show.php?content=167575
No snow accumulation yet as it's proving surprisingly difficult!

Keith Hedger 12-21-2014 09:14 AM

New update to XDecorations here:
http://xfce-look.org/content/show.php?content=167575

Now includes settling snow on windows and bottom.

N.B.

This feature does not work with ubuntu unity, ( I am just so fed up with ubuntu breaking stuff all the time ), but works fine with KDE, LXDE, Xfce, Mint gnome.

Enjoy!

lopid 12-31-2014 09:25 AM

Oo, it's good! :-D

Just a few little things: I shade a window, so that its titlebar is the only part visible. When a large snowflake comes down and lands upon it, I can see the bottom of the flake appear under the bottom of the titlebar, before it disappears (when it's landed). I suppose this only happens when the width of the titlebar is smaller than the size of the snowflake.

I put the config into ~/.config/xdecorations.rc, but it doesn't recognise it without the -configfile option.

I'm sure there used to be some information printed with --help or the like.

But this is great! Thank you :-) If only it felt like winter IRL…

Keith Hedger 12-31-2014 11:13 AM

options use '-' not '--' so use -help, yes if you have a thin title bar you MAY see the snowflake before it settles, sorry can't be helped.
I will fix the loading of the default config file for the next release, thanks!

bassmadrigal 12-31-2014 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith Hedger (Post 5293284)
options use '-' not '--' so use -help, yes if you have a thin title bar you MAY see the snowflake before it settles, sorry can't be helped.
I will fix the loading of the default config file for the next release, thanks!

Typically most programs use a single dash for an option shortcut and a double dash for the option name, ie -h or --help. This could help clear up confusion if someone tries to load it from the command line using one of those options, or just do a wildcard for any options that haven't been programmed in to print out help.

Keith Hedger 12-31-2014 04:43 PM

it's my prog so I'll do the options my way like it or lump it

bassmadrigal 01-01-2015 12:12 PM

I wasn't trying to tell you how to do things, just giving a suggestion. No need to be defensive over it.

Keith Hedger 01-01-2015 03:22 PM

I am always happy to accept constructive criticism or requests for new features but what you posted was needless nit picking of which there is a lot in this forum, also the use of '-' or '--' is actually purely arbitrary, for instance, the original xsnow uses '-', mplayer, a fairly major piece of Linux software uses '-', ffmpeg uses '-' amongst others so your comment was not constructive and got the answer it deserved.

Keith Hedger 01-01-2015 03:24 PM

As a P.S. to whoever added to the rep for bassmadrigal for his reply this is not a helpful answer , if you just want to agree with an opinion use somthing like "+1"

Didier Spaier 01-01-2015 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassmadrigal (Post 5293704)
I wasn't trying to tell you how to do things, just giving a suggestion. No need to be defensive over it.

+1 to this.

@Keith Hedger: I am not the whoever IIRC and didn't try what you propose thus can't have an opinion about it. Thanks for sharing anyway.

Keith Hedger 01-01-2015 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Didier Spaier (Post 5293799)
+1 to this.

Much better :)

bassmadrigal 01-01-2015 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith Hedger (Post 5293783)
I am always happy to accept constructive criticism or requests for new features but what you posted was needless nit picking of which there is a lot in this forum, also the use of '-' or '--' is actually purely arbitrary, for instance, the original xsnow uses '-', mplayer, a fairly major piece of Linux software uses '-', ffmpeg uses '-' amongst others so your comment was not constructive and got the answer it deserved.

I wasn't even trying to nitpick. I don't use your software, but I read the all threads on the Slackware forum regardless. It seems if a user typed xsnow --help and it doesn't display what is desired, my opinion is that you should try and take that into account. There are always exceptions to the rule (mplayer, ffmpeg, etc), but I was only suggesting a way to make it easier for your users to use your program. If that isn't constructive criticism, I don't know what is.

It certainly wasn't my goal to make you defensive of your software. Too many devs think that any criticism is a jab at their program, which I assure you, wasn't the case here. I'm sorry you took it that way.

Keith Hedger 01-01-2015 05:51 PM

You obviously difn't read it very well then I have nothong to do with xsnow and nit picking is nit picking regardless ofwhat excuse you choose to use, andI wan't being defensive just jared off because you post was jusy critisizing, ( damn wish I spell! ),one of the earlier posters pointed out a minor bug about the default config file not being read, tjat was constructive,it pointedout somthimg that needed fixing and as I replied I will fix it in the next update, I really don't have the time or enthusiasm to be polite to peoplewho can only critisize for the sake of it, I will now cancel my subscription to this thread and let you get on with trying to exscuse your negative nitpocking posts

bassmadrigal 01-01-2015 07:04 PM

I submitted a PM to Keith Hedger asking him to not unsubscribe from this thread because of a misunderstanding between us. I will refrain from posting any further suggestions in this thread.

Apologies to Keith Hedger and any others who believed I was trying to nitpick. I believed I was offering constructive criticism in an attempt to make the program better.

lopid 01-03-2015 07:11 AM

:-(

cwizardone 01-03-2015 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith Hedger (Post 5293785)
As a P.S. to whoever added to the rep for bassmadrigal for his reply this is not a helpful answer , if you just want to agree with an opinion use somthing like "+1"


I DID!
While your attempts to provide an alternative to XSnow are appreciated, your response to bassmadrigal was, IMO, completely inappropriate, and like your choice of graphics for your project, childish, at best.
I started this thread and DO NOT consider that response or any of your subsequent replies to be a contribution to the topic, but just the opposite.

@bassmadrigal,
You have nothing to apologize for. Let him take his ball and go home.

wvermin 07-23-2019 07:39 AM

new xsnow available
 
A new version of xsnow is available on sourceforge:

https://sourceforge.net/projects/xsnow/

From the website:

Finally, a working xsnow for Gnome, KDE, etc. Based on the original xsnow-1.42 created by Rick Jansen, after the xsnow-2019 conference in Antas (Spain) we now have available a xsnow that works on many desktop environments, even Raspian. By request of many beta-testers, a graphical front end has been created as well.

lopid 07-27-2019 06:18 AM

Dependency
 
Requires GdkMonitor. Anyone know how to get this? Slackware 14.2, here.

Code:

  CC      xsnow-transparent.o
transparent.c: In function 'get_monitor_rects':
transparent.c:51:12: warning: implicit declaration of function 'gdk_display_get_n_monitors' [-Wimplicit-function-declaration]
    int n = gdk_display_get_n_monitors(display);
            ^
transparent.c:54:7: error: unknown type name 'GdkMonitor'
      GdkMonitor *monitor = gdk_display_get_monitor(display, i);
      ^


wvermin 07-27-2019 07:06 AM

GdkMonitor
 
On my Ubuntu 19.04 system, GdkMonitor is defined in /usr/include/gtk-3.0/gdk/gdkmonitor.h

And this file is part of libgtk-3-dev

Debian dependencies are listed in the file 'dependencies' in the xsnow directory.

cwizardone 07-27-2019 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wvermin (Post 6019015)
On my Ubuntu 19.04 system, GdkMonitor is defined in /usr/include/gtk-3.0/gdk/gdkmonitor.h

Ditto with Slackware64-current.


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