New DSL Desktops
Forum: DSL Ideas and Suggestions
Topic: New DSL Desktops
started by: la_buchanan
Posted by la_buchanan on Feb. 09 2005,19:11
Is there anyone here who could compile some desktops for Linux and include any dependencies with the archived file. I'm having some trouble compiling on my system and would like to find out what files I need to compile either Gnome, KDE or XFCE Desktop on my system.
Posted by SaidinUnleashed on Feb. 09 2005,20:23
XFCE will not run in DSL. I have spent several months trying to get it working, to no success.Way to many broken deps.
KDE is a pain to get working, but it is possible, but LONG hours of work in the belly of the OS.
Gnome is another matter. I'm not sure anyone has tried, but I know that there are TONS of broken deps for it as well.
But why do you want these? Fluxbox is fast, pretty, and small. Everything that DSL has to be.
If you want big, fat, heavy WMs, you might go for Knoppix, or something similar.
Posted by la_buchanan on Feb. 09 2005,21:03
I don't have internet at home. I use the library to download on a 60MB usb drive. I chose DSL because it fits on it and because Windows Sucks! and I don't really have any money right now to buy a distribution from stores.
Posted by ke4nt1 on Feb. 09 2005,21:33
Another V E R Y similar desktop to XP, that DOES run in DSL is the xpde desktop, but like the rest , it requires a LOT of work to make it functional as far as menus, icons, and links go.
73
ke4nt
Posted by SaidinUnleashed on Feb. 09 2005,22:38
Take the time to get to know fluxbox.I actually use it as the default WM on most things now, because it's so efficient, and easy to use.
^_^
-J.P.
Posted by cbagger01 on Feb. 10 2005,04:12
If you want XFCE, try using Liut Linux.It is based on an older version of DSL and it uses XFCE for the desktop environment.
Posted by uzi on Feb. 24 2005,19:23
i don't mind fluxbox, it seems pretty nice, but there just a few mods i'd like to make, how would i go about doing this (sorry, linux noobie here)
Posted by mikshaw on Feb. 24 2005,20:27
explain what you mean by "mods" and this fluxbox junkie will be happy to help if he can.
Posted by davide on Feb. 25 2005,21:59
just a line: icewm is there on the repository: it's fast, light and very windows-like; just use the Xp theme and a Xp background if you want the winblows feeling...I think it can handle icons too (but not by default)Xpde is very beatiful. I tried it last year on a mandrake, but it was very buggy. I hope they fixed it.
anyway, fluxbox was a real descover for me. it's very powerful and clean!
Posted by undertow on Aug. 23 2005,02:23
ive installed XFCE on dsl, wasn't too hard...? Ive yet to test it too much, but it boots up fine and i can load apps from the menu, etc. Everything seems ok.It was a 50mb install, apt-get style.
Add these to /etc/apt/sources.list:
deb < http://www.os-works.com/debian > testing main
deb-src < http://www.os-works.com/debian > testing main
and then do 'sudo apt-get update' and 'sudo apt-get install xfce4'
then you need to change your /home/dsl/.xinitrc. Comment out fluxbox and add the following:
/usr/bin/xfce-mcs-manager &
/usr/bin/xfwm4 --daemon &
/usr/bin/xftaskbar4 &
/usr/bin/xfdesktop &
/usr/bin/xfce4-panel 2>/dev/null
startx and everything should be great! i don't know how the dockapps will get along with it as i use gkrellm, that might be a problem.
-EDIT-
Did this on DSL 1.3.
Posted by Joat_Mone on Aug. 26 2005,23:48
A little off topic, but I just love Linux people. They say "It wasnt too hard" and then have a five page description on how to get something running. You talk with a Window$ person and when they say "It wasnt too hard" they talk about putting the CD in the drive and expecting it to automagically work.This isnt a slam on Linux people, I did tech support and totally appriciate the desire to dig into the inner workings and get it working. I just find it funny.
Posted by cbagger01 on Aug. 28 2005,03:19
Not to over generalize, but:linux person = actually LIKES to play with the computer and learn "how it works" or better yet "why it works that way"
windows person = likes to use the computer for play
It's kinda like how some people like to work on cars and drive a stick shift, while others enjoy the mere fact that the car can take them where they wish to travel.
Both perspectives have their appeal, and I think that both approaches are valid for the intended audience
Posted by RoGuE_StreaK on Aug. 28 2005,07:36
And the thing about a "stick shift" is that you can get it to respond exactly how you want it to! 
Posted by Joat_Mone on Aug. 28 2005,14:15
I have used the "stick shift/automatic" analogy to explain "Linux/Windows" to people. They both do the same thing, and can get you there, it is just different ways to do it. Most non technical people can relate to cars better. BTW I drive a stick, and am learning Linux...
Posted by yyyc514 on Aug. 28 2005,15:58
If anyone is intersted iin an actual XFCE 4.2.2 UCI or DSL please checkout:< http://damnsmalllinux.org/cgi-bin....hl=xfce >
And let me know...
Posted by undertow on Aug. 28 2005,16:07
a few folks have expressed a little interest in installing XFCE-4 so ill add the few bugs im encountering.When booting, startx fails with some errors, but simply running startx again works fine. As this is only a slight bother, i've yet to try and troubleshoot it. It'd be nice to figure it out and make a clean and tidy how-to for the wiki.
Leaving X / Stopping XFCE cannot be done from the menu, as the panel is the last to load from .xinitrc. Right-clicking the panel and selecting quit will work fine.
The changes made to the panel are not saved unless you choose 'Restart' from the Panel's menu _before_ you quit. It simply restarts the Panel, not all of XFCE, so it takes but a second. (which is the reason i didnt have the motivation to troubleshoot it either)
I believe both can be fixed just by rearranging the order in which the XFCE components are loaded in .xinitrc.
Posted by undertow on Aug. 28 2005,23:01
Thought i'd be vain and throw out a: < XFCE Screenshot >
Posted by yyyc514 on Aug. 30 2005,04:52
| Quote (undertow @ Aug. 28 2005,12:07) |
| When booting, startx fails with some errors, but simply running startx again works fine. As this is only a slight bother, i've yet to try and troubleshoot it. Leaving X / Stopping XFCE cannot be done from the menu, as the panel is the last to load from .xinitrc. Right-clicking the panel and selecting quit will work fine. The changes made to the panel are not saved unless you choose 'Restart' from the Panel's menu _before_ you quit. It simply restarts the Panel, not all of XFCE, so it takes but a second. (which is the reason i didnt have the motivation to troubleshoot it either) |
When I release my XFCE4.2.2 package I'll make sure all of these things work... look for test copies in the next week or so... my very first every .DSL (xterminal and mousepad - two xfce library based apps) worked flawlessly the first time...
Right now I have 2.3mb (compressed .DSL) for xterminal, mousepad and the libraries they need... and 10mb for the rest of XFCE (minus printing and sessions and toys)
It can also get smaller but I haven't focussed on trimming things down yet...
Xterminal in action: < http://os-cillation.de/fileadm....mal.png >
In anyone is used to gnome-terminal they'd be right at home with xterminal.
Posted by undertow on Sep. 02 2005,22:47
how bout a 1.9mb .dsl instead of 110mbs of apt? :)< http://damnsmalllinux.org/cgi-bin....29;st=0 >
Posted by yyyc514 on Sep. 03 2005,04:50
| Quote (undertow @ Sep. 02 2005,18:47) |
| how bout a 1.9mb .dsl instead of 110mbs of apt? |
Thanks for the link back to my post... I guess it's working for you? :-) Though 1.9mb is quite a bit smaller than the 10mb I originally mentioned. Amazing what's possible when you put your mind to it.