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faq [2011/10/12 18:52] – paiiou | faq [2019/03/26 21:42] – [Frequently asked questions] blueberrybrownie | ||
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- | ====== Frequently | + | ====== Frequently |
This is a list of frequently asked questions about Xfce. Feel free to improve and/or extend this page, but keep it clean and easy to read for other users. | This is a list of frequently asked questions about Xfce. Feel free to improve and/or extend this page, but keep it clean and easy to read for other users. | ||
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Xfce is a desktop environment for Unix and other Unix-like platforms (such as Linux, Solaris or BSD). Xfce is " | Xfce is a desktop environment for Unix and other Unix-like platforms (such as Linux, Solaris or BSD). Xfce is " | ||
- | === How to pronounce Xfce and what it means === | + | === How to pronounce Xfce and what does it mean? === |
- | "Ecks Eff See Eee". The name Xfce originally stood for XForms Common Environment, | + | "Ecks Eff See Eee". The name Xfce originally stood for XForms Common Environment, |
+ | It's not pronounced “X-Face”. There is no “a” in it. | ||
=== What does the logo mean? === | === What does the logo mean? === | ||
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=== On which platforms does Xfce run currently? === | === On which platforms does Xfce run currently? === | ||
- | Xfce is developed to be versatile. It is currently supported on Linux, Solaris and BSD, but has been known to run in some shape or form on IRIX, MacOS X, and Windows. | + | Xfce is developed to be versatile. It is currently supported on Linux, Solaris and BSD, but has been known to run in some shape or form on IRIX, Mac OS X, and Windows. |
=== Under which license is Xfce distributed? | === Under which license is Xfce distributed? | ||
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====== Installation ====== | ====== Installation ====== | ||
- | ===== Installation Options ===== | ||
- | Xfce can be installed in at least three different ways: | + | Xfce can be installed in at least two different ways: |
- | * From source code - build the environment by yourself. | + | * From the package manager of your distro. It's preferred way, because |
- | * From the package manager of your distro | + | * [[http:// |
- | | + | * [[http:// |
- | | + | * [[http:// |
- | | + | * [[http:// |
- | | + | * [[http:// |
- | | + | * Mageia: Mageia Control Center (add the package task-xfce) or, as root, urpmi task-xfce (http:// |
- | | + | * MidnightBSD: |
- | | + | * Mythbuntu: sudo apt-get install mythbuntu-desktop |
- | | + | * [[http:// |
- | | + | |
- | * From the graphical installer provided by os-cillation - just follow the instructions on [[http:// | + | * [[http:// |
- | * From the Shaman GUI provided by The Chakra Project - just follow the information found at [[http:// | + | |
- | ===== Xfce Installer | + | ====== Starting |
- | === The installer reports I'm missing dependencies === | + | |
- | Some distributions have separate -devel packages for libraries. The Xfce installer needs those package for compiling the Xfce desktop environment. When, for example, the dependency for glib is missing, make sure you have both the glib and the glib-devel package installed. | + | |
- | === The graphical installer fails with "C++ preprocessor fails sanity check" === | + | ==== Is it possible to start Xfce when I login on the console? |
- | This error message tells you that the configure script was unable to verify that the C++ preprocessor is setup properly on your system. You can most probably fix this problem by installing the g++ package for your distribution. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | === The graphical installer fails with " | + | |
- | For some reason the installation wizard is not able to connect to an Xserver, which is required for the installer. This usually happens when you use su, and su in turn doesn' | + | |
- | + | ||
- | $ xhost +localhost | + | |
- | $ su --preserve-environment | + | |
- | # ./ | + | |
- | + | ||
- | or | + | |
- | + | ||
- | $ xhost +localhost | + | |
- | $ su | + | |
- | # env DISPLAY=:0 ./ | + | |
- | + | ||
- | Instead (replace :0 with your display name if required). | + | |
- | + | ||
- | ===== Starting Xfce ===== | + | |
- | + | ||
- | === Is it possible to start Xfce when I login on the console? === | + | |
There are three different ways to do this: | There are three different ways to do this: | ||
* You can just login with the command '' | * You can just login with the command '' | ||
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fi | fi | ||
- | === Is it possible to use Xfce with DMs? === | + | ==== Is it possible to use Xfce with DMs? ==== |
+ | Oh yes. And probably it is the default behavior of most distributions. | ||
+ | |||
+ | === Setting up LXDM === | ||
+ | LXDM is the display manager of LXDE. But it is universal. I (Paiiou) think that it is an excellent manager for Xfce: no dependencies on GNOME or KDE, nice interface, very complete. Most distributions have a package to install. Regarding the configuration, | ||
+ | |||
+ | [Desktop Entry] | ||
+ | Encoding=UTF-8 | ||
+ | Name=Xfce4 | ||
+ | Comment=Use this session to run Xfce4 as your desktop environment | ||
+ | TryExec=/ | ||
+ | Exec=/ | ||
+ | Icon=/ | ||
+ | Type=Application | ||
+ | |||
+ | Lines TryExec and Exec may also differ between distributions. | ||
- | == Setting up SLiM == | + | === Setting up SLiM === |
If you want to avoid Gnome or KDE dependencies and a more attractive interface than XDM, you can give [[http:// | If you want to avoid Gnome or KDE dependencies and a more attractive interface than XDM, you can give [[http:// | ||
- | == Setting up GDM == | + | === Setting up GDM === |
If you installed Xfce system-wide and you want to use the GNOME Display Manager (gdm) to start your Xfce session, you will have to create a .desktop file to teach gdm how to start the Xfce session. This is a sample desktop file, Xfce.desktop: | If you installed Xfce system-wide and you want to use the GNOME Display Manager (gdm) to start your Xfce session, you will have to create a .desktop file to teach gdm how to start the Xfce session. This is a sample desktop file, Xfce.desktop: | ||
[Desktop Entry] | [Desktop Entry] | ||
Encoding=UTF-8 | Encoding=UTF-8 | ||
- | Name=Xfce 4.4 Session | + | Name=Xfce4 |
Comment=Use this session to run Xfce 4.4 as your desktop environment | Comment=Use this session to run Xfce 4.4 as your desktop environment | ||
Exec=/ | Exec=/ | ||
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It is usually enough to simply copy the example file to the Session directory used by gdm; this directory is usually located in / | It is usually enough to simply copy the example file to the Session directory used by gdm; this directory is usually located in / | ||
- | == Setting up KDM == | + | === Setting up KDM |
If you installed Xfce system-wide and you want to use the KDE Display Manager (kdm) to start your Xfce session, you will have to create a .desktop file to teach kdm how to start the Xfce session. | If you installed Xfce system-wide and you want to use the KDE Display Manager (kdm) to start your Xfce session, you will have to create a .desktop file to teach kdm how to start the Xfce session. | ||
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Exec=/ | Exec=/ | ||
TryExec=/ | TryExec=/ | ||
- | Name=Xfce 4.4 | + | Name=Xfce4 |
- | Comment=The | + | Comment=The |
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===== Keyboard ===== | ===== Keyboard ===== | ||
=== Is there some way to call the menu with the keyboard in the xfce? === | === Is there some way to call the menu with the keyboard in the xfce? === | ||
- | Assign a key with the Keyboard Settings -> Shortcuts to the command '' | + | Assign a key with the Keyboard Settings -> Shortcuts to the command '' |
=== Is it possible to focus the Verve plugin with a key? === | === Is it possible to focus the Verve plugin with a key? === | ||
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Note: Several problems with auto-loading of .Xmodmap files at xfce startup have been reported (also when issued as autostart command). Search the xfce bugzilla sites for current problems. As a workaround, run '' | Note: Several problems with auto-loading of .Xmodmap files at xfce startup have been reported (also when issued as autostart command). Search the xfce bugzilla sites for current problems. As a workaround, run '' | ||
editing the somewhat less straightforward xkb configuration files. | editing the somewhat less straightforward xkb configuration files. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===How to determine keycodes with '' | ||
+ | |||
+ | All keyboards are different, keycodes can differ(eg. my keyboard with few keycodes above, not working) and of course not everyone has time to search XKeysymDB file. You can acquire keycodes from your keyboard with xev. | ||
+ | In terminal type: | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | xev | grep -A2 --line-buffered ' | ||
+ | then press key of which keycode you need, eg. I press " | ||
+ | |||
===What should I do to change keyboard layout?=== | ===What should I do to change keyboard layout?=== | ||
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===Is it possible to change the default shortcut keys?=== | ===Is it possible to change the default shortcut keys?=== | ||
Yes, of course... Keyboard shortcuts are defined on two locations. The shortcuts to handle the window manager are defined in the Settings Manager > Window Manager Settings > Keyboard. The '' | Yes, of course... Keyboard shortcuts are defined on two locations. The shortcuts to handle the window manager are defined in the Settings Manager > Window Manager Settings > Keyboard. The '' | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===How can I see a list of all the shortcut keys?=== | ||
+ | Use the following command, which will produce a nicely formatted text list to standard output: | ||
+ | xfconf-query -c xfce4-keyboard-shortcuts -l -v | cut -d'/' | ||
+ | If you want to put this list into a file, add ''> | ||
===How do I make a shortcut that doesn' | ===How do I make a shortcut that doesn' | ||
You can't. | You can't. | ||
- | |||
- | ===Ok, why were the default shortcuts suddenly changed in 4.6?=== | ||
=== How do I enable menu accelerators? | === How do I enable menu accelerators? | ||
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Settings -> Appearance -> Settings tab | Settings -> Appearance -> Settings tab | ||
- | and select the ' | + | and select the ' |
Alternatively you can run the command **xfce4-appearance-settings** from a terminal or from the Alt-F2 run command instead of using the menu to get to the appearance settings to enable accelerators. | Alternatively you can run the command **xfce4-appearance-settings** from a terminal or from the Alt-F2 run command instead of using the menu to get to the appearance settings to enable accelerators. | ||
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===== File Manager ===== | ===== File Manager ===== | ||
- | You can find more information about Thunar | + | You can find more information about Thunar |
=== Can I disable the trash? === | === Can I disable the trash? === | ||
- | No, you can not. But you can do for example: | + | No, you cannot. But you can do for example: |
- | - use 'SHIFT + del' to bypass the trash bin and immediately | + | - Use 'SHIFT + del' to bypass the trash bin and permanently |
- | - use cron to clean the trash every now and then. | + | - Use cron to clean the trash every now and then. |
+ | - Create a custom action for permanent deleting (like in GNOME) with action: '' | ||
=== I want to assign a keyboard shortcut in Thunar to " | === I want to assign a keyboard shortcut in Thunar to " | ||
- | Thunar allows you to edit menu accelerators by simply hovering over the chosen action and by clicking | + | Thunar allows you to edit menu accelerators by simply hovering over the chosen action and by pressing |
To activate the editable menu accelerators select the " | To activate the editable menu accelerators select the " | ||
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=== When will it support samba/ | === When will it support samba/ | ||
- | It already does! Just mount your shares and go to them with Thunar! Just kidding. | + | Thunar |
- | + | ||
- | You are obviously asking about Thunar being able to discover | + | |
- | + | ||
- | Thunar is designed to be a file manager, not a network file system manager. Once such a beast exists, Thunar | + | |
- | + | ||
- | Short answer: not any time soon unless you write it yourself. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | For Linux users, and especially Xubuntu users, the following thread can help: Xubuntu How to: Thunar | + | |
===== Desktop Manager ===== | ===== Desktop Manager ===== | ||
=== I want to disable the trash, home and filesystem icons on my desktop, is that possible? === | === I want to disable the trash, home and filesystem icons on my desktop, is that possible? === | ||
- | Yes, in Xfce 4.4 you can hide some of the desktop icons. You can read more about those hidden settings [[http:// | + | Yes. In Settings > Desktop > Icons > Appearance, select ' |
=== My Xfce Desktop doesn' | === My Xfce Desktop doesn' | ||
- | * **Xfce 4.2**: You will need a third party program to provide you the icons. Suggestions are: pcmanfm, rox, nautilus etc etc... Beware that those programs will kill xfdesktop and the ability to use the right click menu. | + | |
- | * **Xfce 4.4**: | + | You can adjust this via Settings > Desktop > Icons > Appearance. |
- | === I have more questions about xfdesktop === | ||
- | [[http:// | ||
===== Window Manager ===== | ===== Window Manager ===== | ||
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activate_action=bring|switch|none | activate_action=bring|switch|none | ||
- | For Xfce 4.6 you can go to //Xfce Menu > Settings > Window Manager Tweaks// and go to the tab Focus, or you need to use the // | + | For Xfce 4.6 and 4.8 you can go to //Xfce Menu > Settings > Window Manager Tweaks// and go to the tab Focus, or you need to use the // |
xfconf-query -c xfwm4 -p / | xfconf-query -c xfwm4 -p / | ||
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As the name suggests, the " | As the name suggests, the " | ||
workspace, the " | workspace, the " | ||
+ | |||
+ | The above command edits the file " | ||
+ | " | ||
=== Some of the windows are always centered, why? === | === Some of the windows are always centered, why? === | ||
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If display compositing is enabled, the Xfce Window Manager allows you to adjust the opacity of a window by hovering your mouse over the title bar, holding down the Alt key, and using the scroll wheel (down lowers the opacity, and up raises it). So use Alt+ScrollWheelUp to reset the transparency. | If display compositing is enabled, the Xfce Window Manager allows you to adjust the opacity of a window by hovering your mouse over the title bar, holding down the Alt key, and using the scroll wheel (down lowers the opacity, and up raises it). So use Alt+ScrollWheelUp to reset the transparency. | ||
+ | === I have only one desktop and can't move my windows anymore! HELP! === | ||
+ | If you have no window borders anymore and can't focus windows, xfwm4 probably closed itself. This happens sometimes and due to the random nature of this annoying bug it's hard to track. But there are workarounds available. | ||
+ | == Start xfwm4 again == | ||
+ | Sounds like the simpliest solution. You need a terminal and a command executioner (like xfrun4 (alt + f2)) with focus. In the terminal you enter following command: | ||
+ | < | ||
+ | And you're done, xfwm4 should be now in your session again. If this doesn' | ||
+ | == The easy solution for every xfce (not for people loving their sessions) == | ||
+ | Because xfwm4 goes fishy most times at start up it isn't bad if you have to log out. You hadn't done anything important until than. So log out, remove ~/ | ||
+ | == The cool new xfce4.10 solution (again, not for people loving their sessions) == | ||
+ | If you already use xfce4.10 you have the possibility to use the GUI to delete the sessions cache (as you can see, the devs are annoyed, too). Open xfce4-sessions-settings → Session and click »Clear saved sessions«, than log out and in again. This should be all. | ||
===== Session Manager ===== | ===== Session Manager ===== | ||
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== Using sudo == | == Using sudo == | ||
- | You have to allow the user(s) to execute '' | + | You have to allow the user(s) to execute '' |
| | ||
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| | ||
+ | |||
+ | Add the user to the '' | ||
+ | |||
+ | | ||
When you logout and login again, the shutdown and restart buttons should be sensitive. For more information you can referrer to the xfce4-session and sudo documentation. | When you logout and login again, the shutdown and restart buttons should be sensitive. For more information you can referrer to the xfce4-session and sudo documentation. | ||
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===== Panels ===== | ===== Panels ===== | ||
+ | |||
=== How do I disable the taskbar in Xfce 4.2? === | === How do I disable the taskbar in Xfce 4.2? === | ||
+ | |||
Just don't run it at startup... | Just don't run it at startup... | ||
* If you use the session manager, kill the taskbar, save your session on logout, and the taskbar will be gone when you'll log back in. | * If you use the session manager, kill the taskbar, save your session on logout, and the taskbar will be gone when you'll log back in. | ||
* If you don't use the session manager, comment out the '' | * If you don't use the session manager, comment out the '' | ||
- | * If you use the session manager and want to remove the taskbar system-wide, | + | |
=== What is the "use startup notification" | === What is the "use startup notification" | ||
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====== Visual Appearance ====== | ====== Visual Appearance ====== | ||
===== Applications ===== | ===== Applications ===== | ||
- | === Help, my panel/task bar/ | + | === Help, my panel/taskbar/ |
- | As Xfce is modular by design all of those visual elements are actually separate processes. You can just start their process again to regain them. If you want to make sure that they are started again next time you login you should check the "Save session for future logins" | + | As Xfce is modular by design, all of those visual elements are actually separate processes. You can just start their process again to regain them. If you want to make sure that they are started again next time you login you should check the "Save session for future logins" |
| Panel | '' | | Panel | '' | ||
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2 possibilities: | 2 possibilities: | ||
* Give it time. Maybe the responsible developer is on vacation, maybe he didn't check the mailing list / bugzilla yet. Keep in mind that someone may be having a bad day and may not care to respond at all. Time can help. | * Give it time. Maybe the responsible developer is on vacation, maybe he didn't check the mailing list / bugzilla yet. Keep in mind that someone may be having a bad day and may not care to respond at all. Time can help. | ||
- | * Try givng more detailed information. | + | * Try giving |
- | * Maybe you have been disrespectful when asking your question / reporting a bug. While you are totally allowed to rate a product just as you please, you do have to realise that in the case of open source products you didn't pay for the product or the support on the product, and the developers may not value your feedback. So when you report something that affects you, you are actually asking a favor. When reporting such a problem you can improve your chances on goodwill of the developers by asking your question in a polite, respectfull way. Do realise that even if you do so the developer might not be interested in/lack time to implement the feature/fix the bug you reported. A patch that fixes the issue might still convince him to spend time on it. [[http:// | + | * Maybe you have been disrespectful when asking your question / reporting a bug. While you are totally allowed to rate a product just as you please, you do have to realise that in the case of open source products you didn't pay for the product or the support on the product, and the developers may not value your feedback. So when you report something that affects you, you are actually asking a favor. When reporting such a problem you can improve your chances on goodwill of the developers by asking your question in a polite, respectfull way. Do realise that even if you do so the developer might not be interested in/lack time to implement the feature/fix the bug you reported. A patch that fixes the issue might still convince him to spend time on it. |
* When you are reporting a legitimate issue, it is understood that you are taking your valuable time to offer feedback to the developers. | * When you are reporting a legitimate issue, it is understood that you are taking your valuable time to offer feedback to the developers. |