Window Managers
Window managers create the borders, icons, and menus that provide a simple-to-use interface. Window managers also control the look and feel of X, letting you configure X to operate almost any way you desire. Some Linux users who are accustomed to the look and feel of Microsoft Windows 9x use the FVWM window manager to establish a user interface that resembles that of Windows 9x, both in appearance and operation. Other Linux users prefer to avoid anything resembling a Microsoft product. Table 6-1 describes the most popular Linux window managers. For detailed information about a variety of window managers, see the X11.Org web site at http://www.x11.org/wm/.
Table 6-1. Popular Window Managers
|
Window Manager |
Description |
|---|---|
|
AfterStep |
Resembles the user interface of the NEXT computer (NEXTStep). |
|
BlackBox |
A small, simple, efficient window manager. Compatible with KWM. |
|
Enlightenment |
A highly configurable window manager. |
|
FVWM |
One of the most venerable and popular Linux window managers—small, efficient, and configurable. Can mimic the Microsoft Windows 9x user interface. Not fully compliant with GNOME desktop. |
|
ICEWM |
A fast, small window manager especially popular among users of Debian GNU/Linux. |
|
KWM |
A window manager that sports an accompanying desktop, KDE. The combination of KWM and KDE provides a robust and efficient user interface. However, KWM includes some non-GPL code, inhibiting its adoption as the de facto standard Linux window manager. Not compliant ... |