Linux X-Windows Help


Contents


Desktop Modifications

Each department linux machine has a file called /etc/X11/fvwm/system.fvwm2rc which controls the behavior of your desktop. To override this file, copy it to ~/.fvwm2rc and edit it as you see fit. You may customize focus behavior, key shortcuts, desktop background, menu selections and many other options. For full information, go to www.fvwm.org or at a shell prompt, type: man fvwm.

Useful Commands.'^' denotes the Ctrl key.

[^-Alt-p]open pine
[^-Alt-x]open xterm
[^-Alt-n]open netscape
[^-Alt-v]maximize window vertically
[^-Alt-M]maximize window vertically and horizontally
[Alt-leftmousebutton]move a window by clicking anywhere on the window
[^-Alt-(right,left,up,down)arrow]move workspace one screen right

Change the Window Focus Behavior. To get a 'click to focus' behavior, enter the following in your .fvwm2rc file: Style "*" ClickToFocus

Modify Your Menus. Mimic the syntax under the 'Menu' section in the .fvwm2rc file. If you have questions, refer to the webpage or type in an xterm man fvwm.

Remove the Buttons. Insert a '#' at the start of the two(!) lines which look like +"I" Module FvwmButtons in your .fvwm2rc file.

Put a Picture in Your Background. To put a picture in your background, place this line in your .fvwm2rc file:

# set a new background
AddToFunc "InitFunction"
+ "I" Exec xv -root -quit -viewonly /path/to/picture.jpg
AddToFunc "RestartFunction"
+ "I" Exec xv -root -quit -viewonly /path/to/picture.jpg
then type ^-Alt-r to set the new background.


Customize Your Xterm

To enlarge or shrink fonts on your xterm: [^-rightmouseclick] over the xterm window will open a menu which is self-explanatory.
Change the default background and fonts of your xterm in the following way: edit your '.Xresources' file. If you do not have one, create a file called '.Xresources'. A few lines from my personal .Xresources file:

!## Xterm defaults
xterm*font: -b&h-lucidatypewriter-medium-r-normal-*-*-100-*-*-m-*-iso8859-2
xterm*background: lightyellow
Type man xterm for information on valid options for xterm in the .Xresources file.


Replace 'caps lock' with the 'ctrl' Key


Xmodmap example: Exchanging 'caps lock' and 'ctrl' Keys put the following in your .Xmodmap file:

remove Lock = Caps_Lock
remove Control = Control_L
keysym
Control_L = Caps_Lock
keysym Caps_Lock = Control_L
add Lock = Caps_Lock
add Control = Control_L
To implement the changes, at a command prompt, type: xmodmap < .Xmodmap.