On 23 Aug 2002 22:01:27 -0500, Len Philpot wrote:
>
> Is there a concise, authoritative guide to the proper syntax,
> organization and such of .fvwm2rc contents somewhere? What I see in the
> fvwm man page often conflicts with what's in the sample system.fvwm2rc
> file and the few pointers I do find in the man pages are scattered and
> terse, to say the least.
The only authoritative guide to the proper syntax is man pages. You may
just start with an empty file and put any commands described in the man
page in any order according to your needs. Use functions for efficiency.
Usually you need at least:
# StartFunction to start modules, InitFunction to start apps
# mouse and key bindings
# color definitions, I suggest to use colorsets
# window decorations including border, buttons, title bar
# menu definitions
# module configurations
# global and window specific styles
If you want examples, I can suggest is to take a look at the themes of
fvwm-themes. For example, here is the content of the default theme:
background
+ bindings
+ buttons
+ colors
+ cursors
fonts
+ functions
+ functions-appbind
+ globalfeel
+ globallook
+ menus
+ menus-programs
+ menustyle
+ modules/
settings/
sound
startup
+ styles
+ windowlook
Most of these components are plain fvwmrc configs, but not all.
There are several special functions that make the whole thing
configurable and efficient that you may ignore when creating .fvwm2rc.
I marked by plus the components that you may just learn from.
If you like the concept of dividing the entire configuration into
replaceable components, you may customize fvwm-themes by creating your own
theme (directory) with several components (files), but read its FAQ first.
> Sorry if I sound frustrated, but I am...
>
> I've just spent 30 minutes or more with one MenuStyle line trying to get
> it to work (without success). Despite close to an hour's work, I've
> been unable to get FvwmTaskBar to appear at the bottom of the screen
> (despite following the examples from the man page). I can change the
> border widths and nothing ever happens. I've used the recommended
> geometry, but it always appears at the top of the screen. I'm light
> years away from doing anything useful with it, but at this rate I'll
> never get there. I'm having the do *EVERYTHIHG* by trial and error,
> since the man page is so vague (or maybe I'm just stupid...?).
Do the following. Open FvwmConsole (start it in StartFunction or bind to
a menu). Then type these commands in FvwmConsole:
*FvwmTaskBar: Geometry +0-0
FvwmTaskBar
Does it still appear on the top? Is it possible you change another
.fvwm2rc? You should edit ~/.fvwm/.fvwm2rc.
> I'm rapidly reaching my frustration threshold before moving on to
> something else.
>
> There has to be somewhere a definition of exactly what is and isn't
> allowed configuration-wise, where specific entries need to go,
> recommended order, syntax restrictions, case-sensitivity, etc., etc.
>
> If anyone can help, I'd appreciate it. I really like the speed and small
> size of fvwm, but the appalling lack of documentation is about to
> convince me to look elsewhere...
The man pages are complete, although may contain small glitches that are
constantly fixed. Please try to narrow your problems with documentation.
For each problem start a new thread here and specify what you did, what
you got and what you want/expect to get. Provide all relevent details.
Regards,
Mikhael.
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Received on Sat Aug 24 2002 - 05:23:28 BST