Mint Fluxbox??

Questions about the project and the distribution - obviously no support questions here please
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shane
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Post by shane »

um... the reconstructor error was my fault i guess... i tried it in a hurry and must've made a mistake somewhere... i'll have to read up on that more...

the tough part is the /home/<user> part... there are a few configurations that i have to put in the this folder (afaik). these include GTK theme settings, telling OpenOffice to use GTK themes, icon sets... how would i go about these? is there a place in the system folders where i can define these? these settings are in the ~/.gtkrc-2.0 and ~/.bashrc which i suppose you had to deal with in XFCE as well...

do you know how the default user settings are implemented in the LiveCD and when new users are created? if I can understand this I'm sure I can figure out a way to get this thing working...

atm i'm confronted with so many issues that need to be tackled, i dont know where to start... :? anyhow... we'll see how it goes... personally I'm looking at a Daryna release at the earliest.

thanks for the help!
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Post by merlwiz79 »

Most of my settings where in /etc/xdg/ this includes the thunar custom actions.
I only made one gtk2 theme and I put that in usr/share/themes.
I have no idea where fluxbox settings are.
I just looked for a similar file, that had the same settings, that wasn't in the Home folder.

I think the file for ~/.bashrc is /etc/bash.bashrc (never changed anything in ~/.bashrc)

Almost all the settings I changed where in /etc/
I also made my own package so the changes wouldn't get changed with an update.(xubuntu-default-settings to mintxfce-default-settings)
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Post by merlwiz79 »

iainrj wrote:Shane, I'm gonna get those menu files to you tonight!

Fluxbox settings are normally stored on /home/$USER/.fluxbox though there are other places where they reside:

/usr/share/fluxbox - fluxbox themes should go here
/etc/x11/fluxbox - your menu and other config files could go here, though I've always put them in the /home directory.
You can't use the /home/$USER/.fluxbox folder since it doesn't get copied to the hard drive.
There should be a Default setting file for everything you want to change.
Most of the time it has the same name.

To get around some of the limitations I made a link to the original folder used. (IE /usr/share/backgrounds links to /usr/share/xfce4/backdrops/)
This way if an app is using backgrounds it still get the files needed IE screensaver.
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Post by shane »

iainrj, thanks for the config files... i will go through them.

I wonder how Fluxbuntu is handling this problem... their forum is down and and I forget their IRC channel... no beta test release either.

I was thinking of using the first run wizard that comes with Celena. If we could get a script to run the first time a user logs in to their account, we can have it copy the required files into the appropriate locations.

Any suggestions?

cheers.
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Post by merlwiz79 »

iainrj wrote:Yes i gather, but that is where Fluxbox would expect a user's config files to be.

How about sticking them in /etc/x11/fluxbox and then create a new user to see if the files get copied across.

Anyway, I am off on holiday next week, so catch up with you when I return.

Have fun in the meantime!

Iain
The default file should already be made.
You can't just stick them anywhere an hope they get found.
It might be hard to fine but I might look later.
I am going to reinstall Xubuntu Gutsy, then I will install Fluxbox after that.
@izo
Nice theme, but I would miss the close button too much.
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Post by shane »

@Izo that is a sweet setup you have there! brilliant! I might just use that Fluxbox theme :D ATM I have the Fluxbox Murrine Bluesky theme going with Cassandra's blue and green color scheme.

putting the Fluxbox files in /etc/X11/fluxbox might work... there are some fluxbox configs there... but i have to read more on reconstructor... I just got to my computer to have a look at all this. and its 23:50 on a friday night... :roll:

About the menu... I was really looking for a way to have the menu autogenerated. so far I have only come across the update-menus method which produces a rather nasty menu IMO. Is there a way to have a fluxbox menu generated from a GNOME, XFCE or Debian menu? Maybe even something that parses the .desktop files in a specified location and creates the Fluxbox menu...

I know it isnt that hard to to edit it by hand but I feel it would be easier for new users if it were done for them... especially after installing a new package, since it doesnt appear in the menu automatically. just trying to cater for as many as possible :)
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Post by shane »

some progress!

http://www.linfo.org/etc_skel.html

However, even some people at the reconstructor forum have had some problems using the /etc/skel folder with Fluxbox...

http://reconstructor.aperantis.com/inde ... =1&catid=2

If this does not work I will try using this method

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/LiveC ... c0c372894a

the only problem being the amount of free space required. Right now I am using my test partition which is a measly 5GB in total... meaning that I'll have to modify the partition table and maybe reinstall. That and the fact its its the weekend right now... so more partying than work :twisted:

p.s. merlwiz, how much free space did you need when you made Mint XFCE?
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Post by merlwiz79 »

I have Cassandra(partially upgraded to Celena) on a 7GB hard drive.(removed openoffice an unused apps, it's my work OS)
I have 1.2GBs after the ISO is on the hard drive.
I have to build the ISO on a different hard drive so I don't run out of room.(Have a data ext3 hard drive)
It's also is faster since it's not reading and writing to the same hard drive.
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Post by shane »

I think I have reached an acceptable level with the menu... there are stil a few changes that I want to make... basically tidying up things... here is the menu file if anybody wants to have a look and offer some suggestions.

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[begin] (Linux Mint)
[exec] (Home) {thunar ~/}
[exec] (Firefox) {firefox}
[exec] (Terminal) {xfce4-terminal}
[exec] (mintConfig) {xfce4-mintConfig}
[separator]
[submenu] (Accessories)
	[exec] (Text Editor) {mousepad}
	[exec] (Volume Mixer) {
	[exec] (Archiver) {xarchiver}
	[exec] (Terminal) {xfce4-terminal}
	[exec] (Docked Terminal) {tilda}
	[exec] (Character Map) {gnome-character-map}
	[exec] (Calculator) {gnome-calculator}
	[exec] (File Manager) {thunar}
	[exec] (Bulk Rename) {/usr/lib/thunar/ThunarBulkRename}
	[exec] (Screen reader and Magnifier) {orca -n}
[end]
[submenu] (Internet)
	[exec] (Web Browser) {firefox}
	[exec] (Email Client) {thunderbird}
	[exec] (Instant Messaging) {pidgin}
	[exec] (Bittorent Client) {deluge}
	[exec] (IRC Chat) {xchat-gnome}
	[exec] (Internet Dialer) {chestnut-dialer}
	[exec] (Network Tools) {gnome-nettool}
	[exec] (FuseSMB Tool) {fusesmbtool}
[end]
[submenu] (Office)
	[exec] (Word Processor) {oowriter}
	[exec] (Spreadsheet) {oocalc}
	[exec] (Presentation) {ooimpress}
	[exec] (Database) {oobase}
	[exec] (Sunbird Calender) {/usr/lib/sunbird/sunbird}
	[exec] (Document Viewer) {evince}
[end]
[submenu] (Graphics)
	[exec] (Image viewer) {gqview}
	[exec] (Image editor) {gimp}
	[exec] (Vector Graphics) {oodraw}
[end]
[submenu] (Multimedia)
	[exec] (Audio Player) {exaile}
	[exec] (Movie Player) {gmplayer}
	[exec] (CD Ripper) {gnormalize}
	[exec] (CD/DVD Burner) {brasero}
[end]
[submenu] (System)
	[exec] (Language Selector) {gksu gnome-language-selector}
	[exec] (Package Manager) {gksu synaptic}
	[exec] (Set Date and Time) {gksu time-admin}
	[exec] (mintConfig) {xfce4-mintConfig}
	[exec] (Envy) {envy -g}
	[exec] (GNOME Configuration Editor) {gconf-editor}
	[exec] (GNOME Partition Editor) {gksu gparted}
	[exec] (Hardware Information) {hal-device-manager}
	[exec] (Manage Print Jobs) {/usr/bin/system-config-printer-applet --no-tray-icon}
	[exec] (mintDisk) {gksu /usr/lib/linuxmint/mintDisk/mintDisk_frontend.py}
	[exec] (Package Installer) {gdebi-gtk}
	[exec] (Network Setup) {gksu network-admin}
	[exec] (NTFS Configuration Tool) {gksu ntfs-config}
	[exec] (Restricted Drivers Manager) {gksu restricted-manager}
	[exec] (SCIM Setup) {scim-setup}
	[exec] (Services) {gksu services-admin}
	[exec] (Shared Folders) {gksu shares-admin}
	[exec] (Update Manager) {/usr/bin/update-manager}
	[exec] (Users and Groups) {gksu users-admin}
	[exec] (Wireless Network Manager) {/opt/wicd/gui.py}
	[exec] (Windows Wireless Drivers) {gksu /usr/bin/ndisgtk}
	[exec] (Prefered Applications) {exo-preferred-applications}
	[exec] (X Server Configuration) {xorg-edit}
	[exec] (CUPS Web UI) {firefox http://localhost:631}
[end]
[separator]
[submenu] (Auto-generated Menu)
	[exec] (Regenerate Menu) {update-menus}
	[include] (/etc/X11/fluxbox/fluxbox-menu)
[end]
[separator]
[submenu] (Exit)
	[exec] (Switch User) {gdmflexiserver}
	[exit] (Logout)
	[exec] (Reboot) {gksu "xterm -e sudo shutdown -r now"}
	[exec] (Shutdown) {gksu "xterm -e sudo shutdown -h now"}

[end]
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merlwiz79
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Post by merlwiz79 »

Ok, I got it so that fluxbox loads default settings once you login.
I have postlogin check for the menu and keys file in ~/.fluxbox.
If their isn't any files there, then it copys the default files to that location.

Can you give me all the default config files and tell me where they go?
I then can make a fluxmint-default-settings deb that has all the defaults for you install once you 1st login.
If you delete the files it will put the default ones back.
Current default menu:
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Also do you plan on using gsetroot to be able to change the wallpaper?
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Post by merlwiz79 »

I have compiled fbdesk into a .deb file.
I will make a better one later.
Here is the .deb http://www.box.net/shared/11s894cdh4
To execute on login I added this line to ~/.fluxbox/startup

Code: Select all

/usr/local/bin/fbdesk &
I have only one icon on the desktop so far.
Here is what it looks like. I haven't messed around with the settings yet.
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Post by merlwiz79 »

I have installed idesk it is alot better than fbdesk.
This is only because I couldn't find how to enable transparency with fbdesk.
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Last edited by merlwiz79 on Sun Oct 14, 2007 2:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Post by merlwiz79 »

Izo wrote:Nice! How do you stick an icon on the desktop?
That one is fbdesk, but I don't know how to make it transparent. http://idesk.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Main_Page

I like idesk better, the next image.
I installed idesk from the repo and made the desktop lnk myself.
It moves around and has a level of transparency the whole time.
For idesk, I used the default settings and made a folder called ~/.idesktop
In it I added the home.lnk

Code: Select all

table Icon
  Caption: Home
  CaptionTip: Home
  Command: /usr/bin/Thunar ~/
  Icon: /usr/share/pixmap/user-home.png
  Width: 48
  Height: 48
  X: 9
  Y: 3
end
I took user-home.svg and saved it as a.png, since idock doesn't work with .svg.
Idesk comes with examples and some info on using it in /usr/share/idesk/
Last edited by merlwiz79 on Sun Oct 14, 2007 2:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Post by merlwiz79 »

I also have wicd, mintUpdate, and restricted drivers manager starting on login.
~/.fluxbox/startup

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# fluxbox startup-script:
#
# Lines starting with a '#' are ignored.

# You can set your favourite wallpaper here if you don't want
# to do it from your style.
#
fbsetbg -a -t -f /usr/share/backgrounds/celena-1280x1024.png
#
# This sets a black background

#/usr/bin/fbsetroot -solid black

# This shows the fluxbox-splash-screen
#fbsetbg -C /usr/share/fluxbox/splash.jpg

# Other examples. Check man xset for details.
#
# Turn off beeps:
# xset -b
#
# Increase the keyboard repeat-rate:
# xset r rate 195 35
#
# Your own fonts-dir:
# xset +fp "/home/merlwiz79/.fonts"
#
# Your favourite mouse cursor:
# xsetroot -cursor_name right_ptr
#
# Change your keymap:
# xmodmap "/home/merlwiz79/.Xmodmap"



# Applications you want to run with fluxbox.
# MAKE SURE THAT APPS THAT KEEP RUNNING HAVE AN ''&'' AT THE END.
#
# unclutter -idle 2 &
# wmnd &
# wmsmixer -w &
# idesk &
idesk &
restricted-manager --check &
/usr/lib/linuxmint/mintUpdate/mintUpdate.py &
/opt/wicd/tray-edgy.py &
#/usr/local/bin/fbdesk &
# And last but not least we start fluxbox.
# Because it is the last app you have to run it with ''exec'' before it.

# exec /usr/bin/fluxbox

# or if you want to keep a log:
exec /usr/bin/fluxbox -log "/home/merlwiz79/.fluxbox/log"
Last edited by merlwiz79 on Mon Oct 15, 2007 6:16 am, edited 2 times in total.
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Post by merlwiz79 »

I was wondering if you had plan on adding icons to the menu:

Code: Select all

[exec] (Thunar) {thunar ~/} </usr/share/icons/hicolor/48x48/apps/Thunar.png>
Also here are somethings you might want to add:

Code: Select all

[exec] (DSL/PPPoE configuration tool) { x-terminal-emulator -T "DSL/PPPoE configuration tool" -e /usr/sbin/pppoeconf} </usr/share/pixmaps/pppoeconf.xpm>
[exec] (fbpager) {/usr/bin/fbpager} <>
[exec] (fluxconf) {/usr/bin/fluxconf} <>
[exec] (fluxkeys) {/usr/bin/fluxkeys} <>
[exec] (fluxmenu) {/usr/bin/fluxmenu} <>
[exec] (Fortune) {sh -c 'while /usr/games/fortune | col -x | xmessage -center -buttons OK:1,Another:0 -default OK -file - ; do :; done'} <>
Their will be a lot of changes in the default apps in XFCE CE.
Xubuntu has stop using it's tools and started using gnome tools, at least thats what the RC1 has.
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Post by merlwiz79 »

Izo wrote:A few more tweaks now. Really starting to get used to Fluxbox now and how to configure it. I'm now experimenting with translucency and window shadows using xcompmgr.


Check out my recent screenie!

LINKY


/izo\
Wow that looks great.
I really like the theme colors.
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merlwiz79
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Post by merlwiz79 »

Izo wrote:
merlwiz79 wrote:Wow that looks great.
I really like the theme colors.

Thank you! Yes, I'm really enjoying Linux Mint and Fluxbox combined!



/izo\
I have just started using it and trying to get use to it.
I just wish there was better documentation.
I have yet to find a way to change the icon theme.
All of my icons are grey and it's not my favorite color.
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Post by shane »

hi all! i am watching the thread and wil incorporate as much of your suggestions as possible... i'm not a big fan of desktop icons... but if popular vote demands it... i will concede...

here are my settings for the icons...

-/.gtkrc-2.0

Code: Select all

# -- THEME AUTO-WRITTEN DO NOT EDIT
include "/usr/share/themes/Bea/gtk-2.0/gtkrc"

include "/home/shane/.gtkrc-2.0.mine"

# -- THEME AUTO-WRITTEN DO NOT EDIT
and ~/gtkrc-2.0-mine

Code: Select all

#from http://linux.byexamples.com/archives/239/gtk-configuration-for-non-gnome-desktop-user/

gtk-icon-theme-name="Cassandra"
#gtk-icon-sizes="gtk-menu=16,16:
#                gtk-button=16,16:
#                gtk-small-toolbar=16,16:
#                gtk-large-toolbar=16,16:
#                gtk-dnd=16,16:
#                gtk-dialog=16,16"
gtk-toolbar-style = GTK_TOOLBAR_ICONS
however i am getting a kernel panic error with the iso images i create... this is the error after the grub boot screen...

Code: Select all

[ 106.522877] Kernel panic - not syncing: VFS: Unable to mount root fs on unknown-block(1,0)
[ 106.528624] _
i am usin reconstructor with virtualbox to test the images and Mint XFCE iso image... any suggestions?
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Post by merlwiz79 »

I have never used virtual box to test the ISO, so I'm installing it right now.
I use a DVD+rw and a usb hard drive, to test everything.

I have made a new xfcemintDesktop for testing and think I'll make a fluxmintDesktop for you as well.

I have also added a post about Video thumbnails in thunar.(think I can make mintDesktop enable or disable this as well)
http://www.linuxmint.com/forum/index.php?f=110

Thanks for the icon info.
Did you want me to make a fluxmint-default-settings package for you when you are ready?
This would install all the default settings you want and install it to ~/
Also if you delete ~/.fluxbox and logout and back in it would restore those settings.
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Post by shane »

shane wrote: i am usin reconstructor with virtualbox to test the images and Mint XFCE iso image... any suggestions?
that doesnt sound right... let me rephrase... so i am using recostructor for remastering from the Mint XFCE iso... and i'm testing with virtualbox. Mint XFCE works fine in virtualbox but the created isos give me kernel panic errors... 2 out of 2 so far... any suggestions?

i will try to use a cd-rw to test ... but i've been too occupied the past 2 days yo do anything... i will make some time later today to add in what you guys have suggested earlier... and give reconstructor another shot...

about fluxmint-desktop.deb ... are you using checkinstall to make it? I just cannot figure out how to define dependencies with that. so far i'm handling the default desktop settings by adding the files to /etc/skel.. its working fine except for the ~/.fluxbox/startup settings which are present but not applied when a new user is created. which puzzles me... i have a few files i would like to include in the .deb... which i will send to you later...

video thumbnails... they are not a necessity IMO but i'll leave that to majority vote... i have mplayer already included in the default package set so it wouldn't be a big deal.

ok i'm getting late for work... c ya!

p.s. would you guys like a GUI dialog for shutdown/reboot/logout ?? a friend has writen a script which i can send to you to add in fluxmint-desktop... presently i have it setup so you get a prompt for an admin password using...

gksu "xterm -e sudo shutdown -h now"

removing the need for password input would mean editing sudoers.
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