pablo2525
join:2003-06-23
 ·TekSavvy Solutions..
| Xfce - first impressions
Howdy,
I tend to like to be somewhat current with my distribution (openSUSE). With KDE 4 potentially not being ready for my particular needs, I created a VM (www.virtualbox.org) and installed openSUSE RC2. I installed gnome, KDE and Xfce.
A while back I test drove gnome and it didn't suit my needs. I went with KDE (3.5).
With KDE 3.5 sunset, I'm test driving Xfce. It's very intuitive. And where it's missing plug-ins (either out and out missing or it's functionally not that great), I'm finding being able to slurp in the best-of Gnome/KDE applications is a boon.
Any hints on how to edit the desktop menu? The documentation doesn't seem to match what I have installed: Xfce 4.6.1
Cheers,
-pablo
--
openSUSE 11.1;KDE
ISP: TekSavvy DSL; backhauled via a 6KM wireless link |
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No_Strings
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| I create launchers in the taskbar for things I use a lot. To edit the menu, you need to edit the xfce-applications.menu file.
»forum.xfce.org/index.php?topic=4768.0
»wiki.xfce.org/howto/customize-menu
The first link has some examples that should help. The wiki is more generic.
There's a GUI menu config tool coming in a subsequent release. |
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SUMware
Premium
join:2002-05-21
1 edit | reply to pablo2525
Xfce 4.6.1 runs great and fast. I've installed numerous plugins offered by openSUSE. Very 'clean' DE while also being very customizable. Configuration is different from KDE, but simpler in many ways. I'm really enjoying the right click anywhere on desktop main menu accessibility. Nice not being required to use a bottom left corner menu button (although it is available for those who want it). So far Xfce is doing what I need it to. The Sonar icon set looks good, too.
Oh yeah, as I mentioned in the other 11.2 thread, 11.2 is now officially gold, and the md5sums match the DVD I downloaded this past Sunday. So I'm good.
Happy downloading all!  |
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pablo2525
join:2003-06-23
·TekSavvy Solutions..
| reply to No_Strings
Hi,
Thank you for your response.
I'm not keen on using taskbar-launchers because my display is somewhat large (1920x1200) so mousing to the taskbar isn't as efficient for me as clicking on the desktop.
It seems the configuration method suggested is to copy the XML file and tweak away. What would be the cat's PJs would be if there was the concept of a `local' file. This way local changes would be abstracted from system changes. I'll have to research whether the XML file can have some logic in it to `include' my local edits. Hmmm, I smell a tweak!
Cheers,
-pablo
--
openSUSE 11.1;KDE
ISP: TekSavvy DSL; backhauled via a 6KM wireless link |
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pablo2525
join:2003-06-23
·TekSavvy Solutions..
| reply to SUMware
I installed some KDE plug-ins but knotes didn't seem to behave too well. I grabbed a Gnome equivalent.
Did you install Color Picker plug-in? I'd like to get it set up.
At the moment I'm wrestling with a possible bug with Kmail and external editors; seems Kmail wants to send HTML. I vaguely recall addressing this issue in KDE 3.x Time to research this issue.
Cheers,
-pablo
--
openSUSE 11.1;KDE
ISP: TekSavvy DSL; backhauled via a 6KM wireless link |
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No_Strings
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| reply to pablo2525
said by pablo2525  :It seems the configuration method suggested is to copy the XML file and tweak away. What would be the cat's PJs would be if there was the concept of a `local' file. This way local changes would be abstracted from system changes. I'll have to research whether the XML file can have some logic in it to `include' my local edits. Hmmm, I smell a tweak! In both links, the preferred method is to copy the file you your home dir and make the changes locally. I think this will customize your experience while leaving the default settings in place for the system and other users (unless they start dicking around with it. You know what they're like sometimes). |
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pablo2525
join:2003-06-23
·TekSavvy Solutions..
| Oh my, now that's exactly what I'd want ... serves me right for not reading your links carefully. 
Cheers,
-pablo
--
openSUSE 11.1;KDE
ISP: TekSavvy DSL; backhauled via a 6KM wireless link |
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pablo2525
join:2003-06-23
·TekSavvy Solutions..
| reply to pablo2525
Howdy,
I'm spending way too much time goofing with Xfce. Not that it has issues but rather I'm having too much fun.
I've yet to customize my menu but that's next on my to-do. For now, I need to earn some $'s so I have to hit the pause button.
One thing on my list is to get Konsole to not remember its last re-size. More on this later ... "this spot left intentionally vague."
Cheers,
-pablo
--
openSUSE 11.1;KDE
ISP: TekSavvy DSL; backhauled via a 6KM wireless link |
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SUMware
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join:2002-05-21
| reply to pablo2525
The repository nVidia drivers are not yet available. So I built them against kernel-source. The required package dependencies include several 'devels' that were not needed previously. After this the Xfce log out options did not function properly.
I'm going to reinstall 11.2 Xfce, without adding nVidia drivers for now, and see how it goes. Decided to stick with ext3 to allow continued use of my current imaging solution. |
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pablo2525
join:2003-06-23
·TekSavvy Solutions..
| Howdy,
I always compile my graphics driver rather than using the repository. In this particular case though it's not an issue as I'm still in VM-world.
Out of curiosity, why did you mention the graphics driver compilation. Are you having issues with them and openSUSE 11.2?
Cheers,
-pablo
--
openSUSE 11.1;KDE
ISP: TekSavvy DSL; backhauled via a 6KM wireless link |
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SUMware
Premium
join:2002-05-21 | I've reinstalled Xfce without compiling the nVidia drivers. All is well. Excellent in fact!
So evidently there is an issue with that, at least for now.
After I have everything else set up, and imaged, I'll try the drivers again. |
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SUMware
Premium
join:2002-05-21 | reply to pablo2525
Times:
GRUB boot screen -> Login = 18 seconds
Login -> Desktop = 5 seconds
Shut Down = 3 seconds |
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pablo2525
join:2003-06-23
·TekSavvy Solutions..
| Howdy,
Those times seem roughly equal to my openSUSE 11.1 times with KDE. But I haven't timed it so I can't say exactly. Very nice times btw.
What type of `rig' do you have?
My rig is quite speedy so I can't wait to collect some Xfce times.
Did you install Gnome and KDE bundles too?
Cheers,
-pablo
--
openSUSE 11.1;KDE
ISP: TekSavvy DSL; backhauled via a 6KM wireless link |
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SUMware
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join:2002-05-21
2 edits | Just migrated Firefox settings from 11.1. I'm posting this from 11.2. Firefox loads almost instantly here!!!
said by pablo2525 :What type of `rig' do you have? 3 year old desktop Compaq, AMD 3800+ (single core), 1G RAM, 250G HDD. Xfce blazes!
said by pablo2525 :Did you install Gnome and KDE bundles too? No. I enabled "Launch Gnome and KDE services on startup" under Session & Startup > Advanced settings since I'll be running apps from both. |
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SUMware
Premium
join:2002-05-21
| reply to pablo2525
Just installed the nVidia drivers from nVidia's repo. Again, it screwed up the shutdown & login processes. So I restored the image and will wait for a driver fix before attempting again.  |
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Santa Fe
Visit www.ALZ.ORG
Premium,ExMod 2002-7
join:2000-08-22
Freight Yard
clubs:  | reply to pablo2525
Like it almost as much as Gnome. Fun setting it up thru Synaptic though! |
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pablo2525
join:2003-06-23 | reply to SUMware
Don't you need to install the KDE/Gnome bits too so you have access to their applications (e.g KDE > Konsole)?
Cheers,
-pablo
--
openSUSE 11.1;KDE
ISP: TekSavvy DSL; backhauled via a 6KM wireless link |
|
SUMware
Premium
join:2002-05-21
| said by pablo2525 :Don't you need to install the KDE/Gnome bits too so you have access to their applications (e.g KDE > Konsole)? So far I'm using the native Xfce apps. I've installed Proxomitron & Irfanview via Wine and they run fine. I've set Proxo to autoload at boot. If KDE or Gnome apps are installed then YaST should resolve dependencies. Thus anything can be installed, as wanted, per app. |
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pablo2525
join:2003-06-23
·TekSavvy Solutions..
| said by SUMware :said by pablo2525 :Don't you need to install the KDE/Gnome bits too so you have access to their applications (e.g KDE > Konsole)? So far I'm using the native Xfce apps. I've installed Proxomitron & Irfanview via Wine and they run fine. I've set Proxo to autoload at boot. If KDE or Gnome apps are installed then YaST should resolve dependencies. Thus anything can be installed, as wanted, per app. Right the above makes perfect sense. I'm just having trouble reconciling why you `enabled "Launch Gnome and KDE services on startup"' when you haven't installed any KDE/Gnome bits. Planning for the future or am I missing something obvious?
Cheers,
-pablo
--
openSUSE 11.1;KDE
ISP: TekSavvy DSL; backhauled via a 6KM wireless link |
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underthehood
Premium
join:2006-01-04
Rockford, IL
 ·Comcast
| reply to pablo2525
Ok I am trying out XFCE but from Gnome or even KDE there seems to be one (for me anyway) glaring fault. With Gnome it's EASY to browse your network. THere is a network icon.....duh In XFCE where the heck is it?! What a stupid thing to leave out. Is there an easy (again I am not a command line scientist) way to get this very important functionality?
THanks |
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