Window managers

stevegongrui · March 4, 2002 6:16AM

since OS X is based on unix architecture, I was wondering if I could use different window mangers on it, such as KDE

brian j. · March 4, 2002 8:31AM

[quote]Originally posted by Gong Rui:

since OS X is based on unix architecture, I was wondering if I could use different window mangers on it, such as KDE<hr></blockquote>

Well, you can, sort of. OS X's kernel is UNIX based, but OS X uses a totally different windowing system called Aqua. Traditional UNIXes use the X Window System. If you want to use the X Window System, you need to install an X Server. XDarwin is open sourced, and is the most popular X Server for Mac OS X. There are a few different ways to install XDarwin. From what I understand, using a tool called <a href="http://fink.sourceforge.net/"; target="_blank">fink</a> is the easiest.

After installing an X Server, you'll need to install KDE. I'm not a big fan of KDE, but AFAIK there aren't any precompiled OS X ports of KDE. You'll probably have to grab the source and compile it yourself. KDE is huge, so it probably wouldn't be easy. If you want to try, start with a FreeBSD configuration...

stepson · March 4, 2002 9:53AM

If my memory serves me correctly, KDE doesn't run on OSX/Darwin. See this: <a href="http://fink.sourceforge.net/faq/usage-fink.php#kde"; target="_blank">fink FAQ</a>. You can't use a WindowManager that replaces the aqua gui, but you can either run one in parallel, or at the same time, with XDarwin. I recommend fink (fink.sourceforge.net) for getting X, as well as a bunch of other packages.

Also, not to split hairs, but KDE is hardly just a 'window manager', its a full-blown 'Desktop Environment'.

undotwa · March 4, 2002 6:12PM

Hmm, I thought Mac OS X exits the Aqua enviroment when you type >console in the login panel. Can't you start up XWindows or something similar in there without running Aqua aswell?

ghost_user_name · March 4, 2002 8:03PM

[quote]Originally posted by undotwa:

Hmm, I thought Mac OS X exits the Aqua enviroment when you type >console in the login panel. Can't you start up XWindows or something similar in there without running Aqua aswell?<hr></blockquote>Yup. Look around for xfree86. I've got IceWM, WindowMaker, Enlightenment, and BlackBox on my Mac. :cool: They can be loaded from the >console as you mentioned or in the rootless app called XDarwin.

btw, here's a snapshot of me loading GIMP in WindowMaker through XDarwin:

[ 03-04-2002: Message edited by: starfleetX ]

noahj · March 4, 2002 11:21PM

BTW, Fink automatically comes with GNOME as one of the auto install options. So it is configure out of the chute. Very cool.

I wrote an article on it that you can find <a href="http://www.themacaddress.com/news.php?nid=23726500"; target="_blank">here</a>.

stevegongrui · March 10, 2002 11:31AM

Hi guys,

I've downloaded X free 36 and installed it. I've also downloaded window maker except when I try to install, the computer gives me an error message that I'm missing some kind of file.

Can anyone give me the specific steps to what to do?

ghost_user_name · March 11, 2002 12:45AM

[quote]Originally posted by Gong Rui:

when I try to install, the computer gives me an error message that I'm missing some kind of file.<hr></blockquote>How are you installing it? Are you using Fink?

stevegongrui · March 11, 2002 1:56AM

how would I? do you have any links to step-by-step tutorials on doing this? The error I get is that I'm missing the symbol __xSetLocale or something like that...

thanks in advance

i like macs · March 11, 2002 7:16PM

how do i install fink

i get to the part where you type in "sudo dselect" and all i get is a message that says "sudo: dselect: command not found" help

whyatt thrash · March 12, 2002 2:40AM

Yeah I never got dselect to work either. try "fink list" and then "fink install (application name)" instead.

mk1rvenge · March 12, 2002 5:59PM

Hi,

Dselect isn't installed.

You must install dselect.

After installing you can open a new terminal window (dselect is 'active' in that window) or type [code]source .login</pre><hr></blockquote> in the terminal window that is already open.

hth?

grtz,

mk1rvenge

i like macs · March 12, 2002 6:08PM

i did it! open pico .cshrc and make sure it says source /sw/bin/init.csh

stevegongrui · March 17, 2002 6:50AM

Does anyone know what files I should install using fink in order to use Windowmaker?

Also, I tried to compile windowmaker by performing a ./install but it did no work. Am I missing something?

Thanks

stimuli · March 17, 2002 10:26AM

./configure

make

make install

should work on most unixes.

i like macs · March 17, 2002 2:01PM

starfleetx, how did you start up windowmaker

i can't find out how (i cant start any of them)

ghost_user_name · March 17, 2002 5:33PM

Here's some info from the package notes: [quote]Usage Notes: Before you can use Window Maker, you must run 'wmaker.inst' to set up the preferences files for your account. That script can also create an appropriate .xinitrc file to start Window Maker as your default window manager.

To use Window Maker with GNOME, leave .xinitrc alone and instead select Window Maker in the Window Manager panel of the GNOME Control Center.<hr></blockquote>Just read and follow the instructions.

If you want to edit .xinitrc by hand, simply put "exec wmaker" in there, save, and restart XDarwin

sc_markt · March 17, 2002 10:12PM

Are any of these window managers run in Darwin?

If the answer is yes, how is the performance of them?

Window managers

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