Difference between revisions of "XFCE4"
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<noinclude>{{NavHeader|back=LXDE|forward=Awesome}}</noinclude> | <noinclude>{{NavHeader|back=LXDE|forward=Awesome}}</noinclude> | ||
| − | |||
| − | == | + | {{citelink|url=http://www.xfce.org/|txt=Xfce}} is a lightweight desktop environment that aims to be low on system resources and fast, while still being visually appealing and user friendly. |
| − | The first time you start XFCE4, you will see the message shown in Figure 6. | + | The first time you start XFCE4, you will see the message shown in Figure 6.4a: |
| − | '''Figure 6. | + | '''Figure 6.4a: Panel Welcome Message''' |
| − | [[File:welcomepanel.png | + | [[File:welcomepanel.png]] |
| − | In XFCE, a | + | In XFCE, a {{citelink|url=http://www.xfce.org/projects/xfce4-panel|txt=panel}} is a bar which can hold many items such as application launchers, window lists, a clock, a notification area, and application menus. Your initial panel setup options are: |
| − | * '''Migrate old config:''' select this option if you wish to have a single panel with an application launcher and other icons as shown in Figure 6. | + | * '''Migrate old config:''' select this option if you wish to have a single panel with an application launcher and other icons as shown in Figure 6.4b. The application launcher menu may be reached from the upper left, or by right-clicking on the desktop. |
| − | * '''Use default config:''' this option will install a large panel across the top and a small minimal panel centered on the bottom. The application launcher menu may be accessed by the fireball icon in the lower left, or by a right-click on the desktop. | + | * '''Use default config:''' this option will install a large panel across the top and a small, minimal panel centered on the bottom. The application launcher menu may be accessed by the fireball icon in the lower left, or by a right-click on the desktop. |
| − | * '''One empty panel:''' this option will install a panel with no icons. The application menu is available by right-clicking the desktop as shown in Figures 6. | + | * '''One empty panel:''' this option will install a panel with no icons. The application menu is available by right-clicking the desktop as shown in Figures 6.4b and 6.4c. |
| − | Figure 6. | + | Figure 6.4b shows a screenshot of XFCE4 running on a PC-BSD® 9.1 with the application menu open: |
| − | '''Figure 6. | + | '''Figure 6.4b: XFCE with Complete Panel Migrated From Old Config''' |
[[File:XFCE4-2.png]] | [[File:XFCE4-2.png]] | ||
| − | '''Figure 6. | + | '''Figure 6.4c: XFCE with Minimal Panel Using Default Config''' |
[[File:XFCE4.png]] | [[File:XFCE4.png]] | ||
| − | + | If you wish to change your configuration choice at a later time, reset the panel using ''Applications'' ➜ ''Settings'' ➜ ''Settings Editor'', as shown in Figure 6.4d, then exit to the login prompt without saving session info. The next login to XFCE will present the panel configuration choice again. | |
| + | |||
| + | '''Figure 6.4d: Using Settings Editor to Reset Panel | ||
| − | |||
[[File:settingsEd.png]] | [[File:settingsEd.png]] | ||
| − | In addition to PC- | + | In addition to the PC-BSD® utilities, XFCE provides the following utilities: |
| − | * ''' | + | * '''{{citelink|url=http://www.xfce.org/projects/xfdesktop|txt=Xfesktop}}:''' desktop manager found in ''Settings'' ➜ ''Destkop''. Sets the background image, provides a right-click menu to launch applications, and can show files (including application launchers) or iconified windows. |
| − | * ''' | + | * '''{{citelink|url=http://www.xfce.org/projects/xfwm4|txt=Xfwm4}}:''' window manager found in ''Settings'' ➜ ''Window Manager''. It provides window decorations, virtual desktops, multiscreen mode, transparency and a keyboard shortcuts editor. |
| − | * ''' | + | * '''{{citelink|url=http://goodies.xfce.org/projects/applications/ristretto|txt=Ristretto}}:''' fast and light-weight picture viewer found in ''Graphics'' ➜ ''Ristretto Photo Viewer''. |
| − | * ''' | + | * '''{{citelink|url=http://www.twotoasts.de/index.php?/pages/midori_summary.html|txt=Midori}}:''' light-weight graphical browser found in ''Internet'' ➜ ''Midori''. |
| − | * ''' | + | * '''{{citelink|url=http://www.xfce.org/projects/xfburn|txt=Xfburn}}:''' CD/DVD burning tool found in ''Multimedia'' ➜ ''Xfburn''. |
| − | * ''' | + | * '''{{citelink|url=http://www.xfce.org/projects/orage|txt=Orage}}:''' calendar and reminder daemon found in ''Office'' ➜ ''Orage Calendar''. |
| − | * ''' | + | * '''{{citelink|url=http://www.xfce.org/projects/thunar|txt=Thunar}}:''' file manager found in ''System'' ➜ ''Thunar File Manager''. |
| − | + | * '''{{citelink|url=http://goodies.xfce.org/projects/applications/xfce4-taskmanager|txt=Task Manager}}:''' graphical task manager found in ''System'' ➜ ''Task Manager''. | |
| − | + | A list of recommended applications for XFCE can be found on the {{citelink|url=http://wiki.xfce.org/recommendedapps|txt=XFCE Wiki}}. | |
| − | + | === Editing the Menu === | |
| − | + | XFCE no longer includes a graphical menu editor. The XFCE team recommends using alacarte which is included when you install XFCE4 on PC-BSD® and which can be started by typing '''alacarte''' within an xterm. | |
| − | + | Figure 6.4e shows a screenshot of alacarte running on PC-BSD®. | |
| − | + | '''Figure 6.4e: Using alacarte to Customize Applications Menu''' | |
| − | + | [[File:alacarte.png]] | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | + | Any entry with a checkbox will appear in your menu. To remove an item from the menu, simply uncheck its box. To create a new menu category, either highlight a top-level menu (e.g. KDE Menu or System) or an existing category and click the "New Menu" button. To add a new entry, highlight the category where you wish the entry to appear and click the "New Item" button. Input a name for the entry, browse to the path of the application and press "OK". | |
| − | + | === XFCE Plugins === | |
| − | === | + | XFCE supports many plugins which provide additional applications that are separate from the official XFCE distribution. You can browse for plugins and read descriptions for each at the XFCE {{citelink|url=http://goodies.xfce.org/projects/start|txt=goodies website}}. If you find a plugin that is not available within AppCafe®, this {{citelink|url=http://forums.pcbsd.org/showthread.php?t=13642|txt=README}} explains how to determine if a FreeBSD port is available, how to request a PBI if a port is available, and how to request a port if one does not already exist. |
| − | + | After installing a plugin, go to ''Settings'' ➜ ''Panel'' ➜ ''Items'' and click the ''+'' button to see the "Add New Items" screen shown in Figure 6.4f. | |
| − | + | '''Figure 6.4f: Adding a Plugin to the Panel''' | |
| − | + | [[File:addtopanel-2.png]] | |
| − | + | Simply select your new plugin from the list, and click the "+Add" button. It will immediately be added as an icon in the panel. | |
| − | + | <noinclude>{{refheading}}</noinclude> | |
<noinclude> | <noinclude> | ||
[[category:handbook]] | [[category:handbook]] | ||
Revision as of 08:12, 23 October 2012
| XFCE4 |
Xfce[1] is a lightweight desktop environment that aims to be low on system resources and fast, while still being visually appealing and user friendly.
The first time you start XFCE4, you will see the message shown in Figure 6.4a:
Figure 6.4a: Panel Welcome Message
In XFCE, a panel[2] is a bar which can hold many items such as application launchers, window lists, a clock, a notification area, and application menus. Your initial panel setup options are:
- Migrate old config: select this option if you wish to have a single panel with an application launcher and other icons as shown in Figure 6.4b. The application launcher menu may be reached from the upper left, or by right-clicking on the desktop.
- Use default config: this option will install a large panel across the top and a small, minimal panel centered on the bottom. The application launcher menu may be accessed by the fireball icon in the lower left, or by a right-click on the desktop.
- One empty panel: this option will install a panel with no icons. The application menu is available by right-clicking the desktop as shown in Figures 6.4b and 6.4c.
Figure 6.4b shows a screenshot of XFCE4 running on a PC-BSD® 9.1 with the application menu open:
Figure 6.4b: XFCE with Complete Panel Migrated From Old Config
Figure 6.4c: XFCE with Minimal Panel Using Default Config
If you wish to change your configuration choice at a later time, reset the panel using Applications ➜ Settings ➜ Settings Editor, as shown in Figure 6.4d, then exit to the login prompt without saving session info. The next login to XFCE will present the panel configuration choice again.
Figure 6.4d: Using Settings Editor to Reset Panel
In addition to the PC-BSD® utilities, XFCE provides the following utilities:
- Xfesktop[3]: desktop manager found in Settings ➜ Destkop. Sets the background image, provides a right-click menu to launch applications, and can show files (including application launchers) or iconified windows.
- Xfwm4[4]: window manager found in Settings ➜ Window Manager. It provides window decorations, virtual desktops, multiscreen mode, transparency and a keyboard shortcuts editor.
- Task Manager[10]: graphical task manager found in System ➜ Task Manager.
A list of recommended applications for XFCE can be found on the XFCE Wiki[11].
Editing the Menu
XFCE no longer includes a graphical menu editor. The XFCE team recommends using alacarte which is included when you install XFCE4 on PC-BSD® and which can be started by typing alacarte within an xterm.
Figure 6.4e shows a screenshot of alacarte running on PC-BSD®.
Figure 6.4e: Using alacarte to Customize Applications Menu
Any entry with a checkbox will appear in your menu. To remove an item from the menu, simply uncheck its box. To create a new menu category, either highlight a top-level menu (e.g. KDE Menu or System) or an existing category and click the "New Menu" button. To add a new entry, highlight the category where you wish the entry to appear and click the "New Item" button. Input a name for the entry, browse to the path of the application and press "OK".
XFCE Plugins
XFCE supports many plugins which provide additional applications that are separate from the official XFCE distribution. You can browse for plugins and read descriptions for each at the XFCE goodies website[12]. If you find a plugin that is not available within AppCafe®, this README[13] explains how to determine if a FreeBSD port is available, how to request a PBI if a port is available, and how to request a port if one does not already exist.
After installing a plugin, go to Settings ➜ Panel ➜ Items and click the + button to see the "Add New Items" screen shown in Figure 6.4f.
Figure 6.4f: Adding a Plugin to the Panel
Simply select your new plugin from the list, and click the "+Add" button. It will immediately be added as an icon in the panel.
References
- ↑ http://www.xfce.org/
- ↑ http://www.xfce.org/projects/xfce4-panel
- ↑ http://www.xfce.org/projects/xfdesktop
- ↑ http://www.xfce.org/projects/xfwm4
- ↑ http://goodies.xfce.org/projects/applications/ristretto
- ↑ http://www.twotoasts.de/index.php?/pages/midori_summary.html
- ↑ http://www.xfce.org/projects/xfburn
- ↑ http://www.xfce.org/projects/orage
- ↑ http://www.xfce.org/projects/thunar
- ↑ http://goodies.xfce.org/projects/applications/xfce4-taskmanager
- ↑ http://wiki.xfce.org/recommendedapps
- ↑ http://goodies.xfce.org/projects/start
- ↑ http://forums.pcbsd.org/showthread.php?t=13642
