Status of xfce 4

[BluPhoenyx]

> 
> so just add a single line in ~/.xinitrc that has 'xsm' in it?

This is probably the easiest part of xsm. A few pointers though. If the .xsession script only has the xsm command then you will start with a simple environment which confuses many new X users. IE, you will be running twm and there will be a small control window for xsm on the screen and a frame which is twm waiting for you to map the xterm window.

If you decide to use this method it is better to have the .xinitrc file as a symlink to the .xsession file instead of a script running a script. If using a display manager such as GDM the 'default' session is supposed to run the $HOME/.xsession script.

It is possible to issue other commands from the .xsession file before running the xsm command and here is a simple script I have used for this.

--------cut here--------
#!/bin/sh


# =--> clear the X hatchmark background
#
xsetroot -solid darkblue


# =--> setup the win keys
#
if [ -f $HOME/.Xmodmap ]; then
	xmodmap $HOME/.Xmodmap
fi


# =--> Set Xft DPI to match my X settings
#
echo "Xft.dpi: 84" | xrdb -merge -


# =--> Use nice Xcursor themes
#
echo "Xcursor.theme: redglass" | xrdb -merge -
echo "Xcursor.size: 20" | xrdb -merge -

xfce-mcs-manager
xfwm4 --daemon
exec xsm
--------to  here--------

> 
> > - execute whatever applications you want.
> 
> how?  from where?

As mentioned, the raw xsm session will run an xterm. This is your starting point for loading your preferred applications. From there you're on you own. I would start the panel and taskbar, deskmenu etc. Then set the xterm program to not startup and save the session (this will be explained further) once saved you could then restart X to verify this works as you want.

> > - save the session to a particular name.
> 
> how, where?

In xsm saved sessions are 'checkpoints' which you can save from the xsm control window either by option or when exiting. When it's time to quit X you will quit from the control window by clicking an exit button which pops up a simple menu. You can choose to save the session or quit now from there.

> > - select that session name on next start up. (xsm always crashed at
> > this point for me. YMMV).
> 
> can i just make it the default?

You can specify the saved name via command options in the .xsession script. If no cli options are used xsm will present a simple menu window to select from.

> > Try it and let us know how it works out.
> 
> once you give me a few more clues, i'll gladly be the guinea pig  :)

IMHO, you won't like the xsm system since it's not as sophisticated as other desktop session managers. However, with a little effort you may manage to make it somewhat functional. Be aware that some program aren't session aware in respect to size and location or screen so you may still wind up needing a way to deal with this.

Mike T.