Newbie questions

SummonKnight · posted: 2009-05-11 11:59

hi all! i've been trying antiX for the last five days, and i have to say i like it a lot. in my old computer with only 256MB it's working flawlessly. the interface is somewhat sparse and i have to find my way -- having used windows for the longest time -- but antiX just works!

i just have a few questions, hopefully the community could guide me on these:

* how do i auto-log in? in simplymepis it can be done by control center.

* how do i install wallpapers? i can"install" one but when i log off and then log in again, it's gone, reverting to the"original" list of wallpapers.

* how do i make the desktop display icons? i would like usb icons and other devices to show up in the desktop?

* finally, my screen resolution is limited to only 1024x768, but it can support 1440...

many thanks!

eriefisher · posted: 2009-05-11 12:17

SummonKnight wrote: * how do i auto-log in? in simplymepis it can be done by control center.

You need to edit as root /etc/slim.conf. Remove the"#" in front of #auto_login yes and #default_user demo. Change demo to your username.

* how do i install wallpapers? i can"install" one but when i log off and then log in again, it's gone, reverting to the"original" list of wallpapers.

Place any images you want for wallpaper in /home/you/Wallpaper then use the /control-center/change-wallpaper to select it. It should be there after a reboot.

* how do i make the desktop display icons? i would like usb icons and other devices to show up in the desktop?

Someone else will have to chime in on this one as I don't use desktop icons.

* finally, my screen resolution is limited to only 1024x768, but it can support 1440...

many thanks!

/menu/run and enter gksu leafpad /etc/X11/xorg.conf. You will be asked for your root password and the xorg.conf will open for you to edit. You will see several"Modes" lines, just add your resolution to those lines, save, close and then logout/login and it should work for you.

One thing to remember is to always make a back up of a file before you edit just in case you error.

OU812 · posted: 2009-05-11 12:58

There are several options for icons:

1. use idesk (included in antix). there are several threads in the forum regarding the use of idesk.
2. use rox pinboard (included in antix). this option should be in the menus. and there are several threads in the forums for the use of rox pinboard.
3. use pcmanfm (included in antix). choose edit>preferences>desktop.

If you want icons to appear for mountable devices:

1. you could use rox + ivman. there is at least one page on the web for this, but i have never gotten it to work.
2. you can use idesk to put device icons on the desktop, but it's not automatic. there is a thread in the forum on using idesk for this purpose.
3. you could install xfce which will have support for automatically placing device icons on the desktop.

john

SummonKnight · posted: 2009-05-11 23:18

eriefisher wrote:
SummonKnight wrote: * how do i auto-log in? in simplymepis it can be done by control center.
You need to edit as root /etc/slim.conf. Remove the"#" in front of #auto_login yes and #default_user demo. Change demo to your username.

* how do i install wallpapers? i can"install" one but when i log off and then log in again, it's gone, reverting to the"original" list of wallpapers.
Place any images you want for wallpaper in /home/you/Wallpaper then use the /control-center/change-wallpaper to select it. It should be there after a reboot.

* how do i make the desktop display icons? i would like usb icons and other devices to show up in the desktop?
Someone else will have to chime in on this one as I don't use desktop icons.

* finally, my screen resolution is limited to only 1024x768, but it can support 1440...

many thanks!
/menu/run and enter gksu leafpad /etc/X11/xorg.conf. You will be asked for your root password and the xorg.conf will open for you to edit. You will see several"Modes" lines, just add your resolution to those lines, save, close and then logout/login and it should work for you.

One thing to remember is to always make a back up of a file before you edit just in case you error.

many thanks eriefisher! all of your advice worked like a dream. i am especially happy that i now have a screen at full resolution. and although the major linux distros i've tried were all slower than windows xp, it's incredible that antiX manages to be the exception, without being too non-intuitive for long-time windows users.

i have tinkered as well with the menubar (the one at the position of the"start" button in windows. using the control center, most of the menu items can be configured, but there are no lines for editing the lower lines, such as the logout menu. where could it be found?

SummonKnight · posted: 2009-05-11 23:23

OU812 wrote:There are several options for icons:

1. use idesk (included in antix). there are several threads in the forum regarding the use of idesk.
2. use rox pinboard (included in antix). this option should be in the menus. and there are several threads in the forums for the use of rox pinboard.
3. use pcmanfm (included in antix). choose edit>preferences>desktop.

If you want icons to appear for mountable devices:

1. you could use rox + ivman. there is at least one page on the web for this, but i have never gotten it to work.
2. you can use idesk to put device icons on the desktop, but it's not automatic. there is a thread in the forum on using idesk for this purpose.
3. you could install xfce which will have support for automatically placing device icons on the desktop.

hello john, many thanks for the advice. will try this after work as well. i am getting closer and closer to my perfect desktop... was never able to do this with windows!

i am interested in installing xfce. i liked it when i tried xubuntu, but the reason i abandoned it was it was still slow, especially when several processes were running; it was probably the core of ubuntu more than a problem with xfce?

so, anyway, the basic idea is to download xfce using the synaptic package manager, but will it show in the menubar upon logout?

john

secipolla · posted: 2009-05-11 23:47

Usually at the login screen, pressing F1 enables choosing sessions. Since you opted for auto-login maybe it'll log to the one you chose last, but I'm just guessing that.

dolphin_oracle · posted: 2009-05-12 00:17

I think the menu lines you are referring to are part of the icewm default menu. I'm not sure you can edit those.

plvera · posted: 2009-05-12 00:23

To change the menu, in either icewm or fluxbox, try:

control center>Edit icewm settings (or fluxbox if using fluxbox)>Documents>Menu

and follow the syntax.

I hope this helps.

Pedro

eriefisher · posted: 2009-05-12 00:32

secipolla wrote:Usually at the login screen, pressing F1 enables choosing sessions. Since you opted for auto-login maybe it'll log to the one you chose last, but I'm just guessing that.

You would be logged into the default session, The one stated at the end of your .xinitrc. Auto login will not let you choose a session.

secipolla · posted: 2009-05-12 01:00

eriefisher wrote: You would be logged into the default session, The one stated at the end of your .xinitrc. Auto login will not let you choose a session.

And to edit .xinitrc one should go to Control Center>Edit Login Options

SummonKnight · posted: 2009-05-12 01:15

many thanks to all of you. i am very happy that like in the mepis forum, i get very quick and very helpful responses. now i'm feeling to be really part of a community, and it's only with linux that this can happen.

learning linux has a steep curve to it; there are many things fundamentally different from windows. but the advice one gets from other users is overwhelming.

will try all the suggestions when i get home.

OU812 · posted: 2009-05-12 04:11

1. to edit the"lower" menu options, you will need to edit the"preferences" file, not the menu.

2. to install xfce, you may want to use the metapackage installer.

3. yes, antix + xfce is much faster than xubuntu.

john

anticapitalista · posted: 2009-05-12 08:09

Welcome to antiX, SummonKnight.

For xfce, I would use the meta-installer rather than synaptic. This will install a basic xfce and keep antiX much leaner than XUbubtu. You can always add other features of xfce afterwards if you like.

System->Tools->Meta-Installer -> Window Manager->Click xfce4base

SummonKnight · posted: 2009-05-12 09:52

thanks anticapitalista. i just told my wife that i got a message from the creator of the linux distro i've been using, and she said wow!

will try it out now.

SummonKnight · posted: 2009-05-12 10:43

anticapitalista wrote:Welcome to antiX, SummonKnight.

For xfce, I would use the meta-installer rather than synaptic. This will install a basic xfce and keep antiX much leaner than XUbubtu. You can always add other features of xfce afterwards if you like.

System->Tools->Meta-Installer -> Window Manager->Click xfce4base

thanks anticapitalista; i was able to download xfce using the method you described.

however, xfce does not appear in the windows manager menu of the menu bar. how do i invoke it?