[opensuse] tint2 - good panel/taskbar/systray for alternative desktops (openbox example)
Guys, Just another follow-up for those of you that have experimented with some of the lighter weight desktops like openbox, icewm, blackbox, fluxbox, e16, etc.. For those that like a panel at the bottom of the screen, then tint2 is a well thought-out surprisingly polished panel, task manager, and systray that comes with battery monitoring, clock/calendar (orage works great as the calendar) and a few other tidbits. It's packaged for opensuse and the default settings work fine out of the box. All you need to do is add an entry in the desktop init script starting it and other than tweaking the colors and appearance for your preference, you are done. Below is an example for setting it up on openbox. The init file for openbox that you need to edit is ~/.config/openbox/autostart.sh. At least for me, I have found placing your applications right after the "Preload stuff for KDE apps" seems to work the best. This is the section from my autostart.sh. In addition to tint2, I have included the other apps I start when openbox starts just as examples of what else you can start here to add a few creature-comforts to the desktop: # Preload stuff for KDE apps # (I just included this for context) if which start_kdeinit >/dev/null; then LD_BIND_NOW=true start_kdeinit --new-startup +kcminit_startup & fi ## DCR added items # load the tint2 panel if which tint2 > /dev/null; then $(which tint2) & fi # give the tint2 panel a second to settle sleep 1 # start the network monitor if which knemo > /dev/null; then $(which knemo) & fi # start sound if which kmix > /dev/null; then $(which kmix) & fi # start screensaver (configure with 'xscreensaver-demo' or click settings on start) if which xscreensaver > /dev/null; then $(which xscreensaver) & fi # start basket minimized to the systray if which basket > /dev/null; then $(which basket) --start-hidden & fi # (also just included for context) # Run XDG autostart things. By default don't run anything desktop-specific # See xdg-autostart --help more info DESKTOP_ENV="" Then just log out and log in to openbox and the tint2 panel along with any of the other apps you want loaded when the desktop starts should be running. The only other thing I do with openbox (or any other desktop that doesn't have a default "run" command), is to add one using either bbrun from blackbox or fbrun from fluxbox as the Alt+F2 keyboard shortcut. Both work fine. For openbox, just edit ~/.config/openbox/rc.xml and add the following keybinding: <!-- Keybindings for running applications --> <snip..> <keybind key="A-F2"> <action name="Execute"> <startupnotify> <enabled>true</enabled> <name>FluxBoxRun</name> </startupnotify> <command>/usr/bin/fbrun</command> </action> </keybind> </keyboard> <!-- End of keyboard bindings --> With the panel and favorite apps auto-started and with the alt+f2 run command, any of your alternative desktops begin to make you feel right at home. Screenshot (180k): http://www.3111skyline.com/download/ss/openbox/tint2-panel-1024.jpg Give tint2 a shot. -- David C. Rankin, J.D.,P.E. Rankin Law Firm, PLLC 510 Ochiltree Street Nacogdoches, Texas 75961 Telephone: (936) 715-9333 Facsimile: (936) 715-9339 www.rankinlawfirm.com -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org
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David C. Rankin