topic title: SUGGESTION: better menu
Posts: 75
jhsu
Joined: 02 Jan 2010
#1
In some ways, antiX is actually easier to use than Puppy Linux. For example, the installation process automatically adds the necessary commands to the menu.lst file (has to be added manually in Puppy Linux), and I didn't have to manually input the keyboard, language, etc. when I first boot up.

My gripe with antiX Linux is the confusing menu system, which takes some time to get used to. So many applications require going several layers deep (Applications -> Applications -> more layers) in the antiX menu. I think the antiX main menu should be more like that of Puppy Linux - no multiple layers, and everything is neatly arranged by category. There are categories for things like Wizards, System, Sound, Games, etc.
Posts: 903
plvera
Joined: 11 Oct 2008
#2
The good news about the Antix menu system is that it is fully customizable. So, I use the default as a base and build from there (using Control center>Fluxbox settings is an easy way. although you have to be familiar with the syntax).

Maybe a better explanation of how the menu sytem works and how it can be rearranged to suit any user's needs or wants, might make it easier to use.

regards,
Pedro
Posts: 1,228
secipolla
Joined: 15 Jun 2008
#3
The new antiX 8.5 (currently in beta) has a menu like you said. For you one suggestion is:
first backup you current menu:

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cd .icewm

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cp menu menubackup
then install MenuMaker:
I found a program that could be called the solution for auto-generated menus in IceWM. It's called MenuMaker:

========= SCRAPER REMOVED AN EMBEDDED LINK HERE ===========
url was:"http://sourceforge.net/projects/menumaker/"
linktext was:"http://sourceforge.net/projects/menumaker/"
====================================
" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false

========= SCRAPER REMOVED AN EMBEDDED LINK HERE ===========
url was:"http://menumaker.sourceforge.net/"
linktext was:"http://menumaker.sourceforge.net/"
====================================
" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false

It simply reads Debian's menu files, .desktop files and other legacy types and creates a very neat and comprehensive IceWM menu (works with other window managers too).

I've installed it but I think it can be run from the decompressed folder. The basic run command is

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mmaker icewm
Besides that it has some option like to set a default terminal emulator different than Xterm etc.

To update the menu

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mmaker icewm -f
so it overwrites the menu file.
it will generate a nice and categorized menu. Then if you miss something from the original menu (like the help links) you can add them in ~/.icewm/menu using the instructions I posted on the first part of
========= SCRAPER REMOVED AN EMBEDDED LINK HERE ===========
url was:"antix.freeforu ms.org/post14101.html#p14101"
linktext was:"antix.freeforu ms.org/post14101.html#p14101"
====================================
" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false
(better just copy/paste the part you want from ~/.icewm/menubackup to ~/.icewm/menu)

Every time you install anything new you have to run 'mmaker icewm -f' and then add back the custom part.