Linux update

It's been awhile since my last post. Since then, I have downloaded and tested about 100 linux distributions. My favorites are either based on Debian or Slackware. My all time favorite distribution has become Slackware, mainly because I love how I can so easily compile programs in it (includes most needed libraries) and that it keeps files where they should be (most unix like). Although I read that people think Slackware is hard to configure, i completely disagree. It is so easy to start/stop daemons (cd /etc/rc.d) (chmod -x rc.acpid), or tweak the inittab file to have it boot to a command prompt. It also comes with some great command line utilites that are more reliable than most gui utilities (pkgtool, netconfig, etc). Things just work with Slackware which I can't say for all the other distros. Debian is my second favorite with Ubuntu/Sidux third. Although I love mini distributions (Puppy, Zenwalk, Vector, Wolvix, NimbleX, DSL, etc) they don't work for me long-term because I like to install a lot of software and they are usually missing a lot of libraries and often make it difficult. For someone that doesn't install much, I would recommend Puppy Linux since it boots up and shuts down so fast and is light on memory.

As far as window managers go, Ive tried many from here: http://xwinman.org/ I prefer the light simple ones. Two of the latest I have tried are "Karmen" and "Awesome". I like both but for different reasons. Karmen is simple and doesn't have a config file or root menus so you need to use a launcher app with it. It does show running tasks by right clicking any titlebar or desktop. I like how it looks and its simplicity and stability. It manages windows in a very microsoft kind of way. In contrast, Awesome is a tiling window manager that has full keyboard support. It took me a couple hours of editing the .awesomerc file to get this one to my liking, but I eventually got the thing launching apps with mouse1,3 and Alt-mouse 1,2,3. Moving windows with Win-mouse1, sizing with Win-mouse3, and closing windows with Mouse2. You can really configure most anything with it. There are several other tiling window managers that are fun, such as Xmonad, Ion, and Wmii.

So I guess in summary I have wasted a lot of time loading and configuring software but its something I enjoy, and at times get tired of. I never use windows anymore and still believe Linux to be better due to its security, availability of free software, and configurability.

Window Managers

Now that I've settled on a Linux distribution, I needed to get it all setup how I like it. The first choice is what window manager to use. I have tried them all (or a majority of them) from Desktop Enviroments like KDE, Gnome, XFCE, to minimal window managers like TWM, CTWM, FVWM, IceWM, Pekwm, Aewm, Fluxbox, Openbox, etc. Which one is the best? well it just depends on what you like. I like resource friendly, fast, and completely configurable. That rules out the desktop enviroments. So which of the minimal ones fit that bill? Several do, but most have annoyances like how the windows are placed or some things can't be configured like mouse operations or titlebar buttons.

So the winner for me, is OpenBox. It gives me everything i need in a window manager. It has good configurability, doesnt force me to use its taskbar or uneeded items, and is resource friendly. Add "apwal" launcher and bind it to the right mouse button and you have a fast light easy to use system.

Linux update

I'm finally done with switching linux distributions. The one I settled with is Debian. Why you ask? For a couple reasons. 1. It just works. It boots fast and is solid and consistent. 2. Some other distributions I tried...including Fedora which I thought was excellent until I discovered that it and others had an issue when running Firefox where the whole OS would slow down. That is unacceptable to me and could be duplicated by visiting download.com. Debian doesn't have this issue.

Ubuntu is widely claimed as the "best distribution", but I disagree. Ubuntu is just Debian with a pretty face and some scars being hid under makeup. One of the main things about Ubuntu that made me wonder is it would ask for the user password when wanting root privileges. Hmmm, Debian asks for the root password. Whom do you trust for security? not to mention Ubuntu uses non-stable repositories, where Debian only uses stable ones unless you add others. There are some other differences, but to make this short Debian is clearly the winner. Ubuntu is only for beginners that don't know anything about Linux and once they learn they most likely will move on.

What makes Linux so great is that you don't have to settle for one distribution. Remember that "Linux" is just the kernal and that the rest of the OS is put together by the makers of the distribution. Sure there are similarities between all distributions but the subtleties are what makes the difference.

Linux Distributions

It's been awhile since I posted and I haven't spent much time with windows shells recently because I started using linux again. I originally started to use linux back in the redhat 4.1 days around '95. It was pretty basic back then and a lot of editing files had to be done. It has come a long way since then. I have tried several Linux distributions in the last few months. I started with Ubuntu since I heard it was the "best distribution" and then tried Absolute Linux, PClinuxOS, and Fedora linux. Out of this group I think Fedora wins hands down. It has the best installer of the group and best stability/security. All of the distributions have a lot of gui tools to help with administration tasks and pretty boot loaders, etc. I would rate these distributions in this order: 1. Fedora 2. Ubuntu 3. PClinuxOS 4. Absolute

My first criteria is stability, with the second being the ability to easily add applications, and third is looks. I think both Ubuntu and PClinuxOS were good looking distributions with fancy boot screens and backgrounds. However, they didn't quite live up to their looks when it came to performance and use.

I will probably try more distributions in the future and may change my mind :)

Spring Update

Been awhile since I last posted so here is an update. A couple new shells have popped up on the web.

The first one is called Desktop Lite, it uses few resources ~4 meg and contains most of the things you need in a shell, task switching, tray, quicklaunch, access to programs etc. The real beauty of this app is that it is only one .exe file with no configuration...it doesnt get easier than that. Find it here: http://www.nymtec.com/

The second shell and one I find interesting is called Ciliegia, it is a scriptable shell and also light on resources. A bit hard to get started since you have to edit a text file and the documentation is all in Japanese :) but there are some samples to get you there. Just replace the login.scm file with your custom file (tweak the one from the examples folder) and you have a shell running. I really like how the tray is implemented in a popup menu. Find it here: http://nicht.s8.xrea.com/2006/02/ciliegia/

Here's proof that old shells never die :} I have always loved minimal shells.. there was one I liked a long time ago called EVWM, used to use it back in the win95/98 days. I was thinking about it so decided to download it again...was hard to find, but found a site that still had it here:
http://www.skinnables.org/apps.php?section=shells
the thing is it still works fine on XP... sure there are some missing XP tray icons, and the popup menu is loaded statically and not dynamically, also some startup programs dont load..but these are easy things to get around and I found I still like this shell. It is also extremely light in resources ~2-3 meg and just feels light and fast.

There is a lot of concern that the new Windows Vista will kill off the remaining shells being worked on...It might have some impact but I think there are still people like me out there that like changing their desktop and making a more minimal faster experience... At least I hope so :)

Shell news

Just a little update on Shell news. Litestep 24.7 final has been released. That's great news for this shell that it isnt forgotton. There have been a few awesome themes released in the last two weeks as well.. go to www.litestep.net and check out Obsidion and Fractal ice. A new shell has hit the scene as well..its call Nex and uses XML for configuration. Looks promising. Check it out at http://codedump.org.

Merry Xmas everyone!

Litestep again..

It seems the more new shells I try the more I return back to Litestep. Litestep really has evolved to a powerful shell expecially with the xmodules. Its still the only shell that lets you change everything about your desktop..so many others only give certain options. I have been busy scripting my own themes and hacking away at others to make them to my liking. Go to Litestep.net and download LaserDesk and Stained Glass Windows themes...two of my favorites right now. If you don't have Litestep, I recommend downloading the installer from http://www.ls-universe.info/download.php

msstyles

I noticed that they released a new UXTheme patcher v.4.0 for windowsXP so I downloaded it and started checking out the new styles for XP. There are some really nice ones on Customize.org here: http://www.customize.org/list/stylexp Check out the ones with the highest ranking.

Go check them out it really makes using XP a little more sweet. Even alt shells look better with new window buttons and skins.

BBlean

So I noticed that bblean 1.16 has been released. I downloaded it installed it...works great. Then I noticed that Grischka released bbiconbox. hmmm new plugin, sounds interesting. It's way more than that. It can become a tray, taskbar, and launcher. I configured it and now it has become my default shell. I no longer need the bbleanbar or any other bar. This is an awesome plugin. All you need is bblean with this plugin and you have a complete shell! If you are using bblean or Blackbox for windows...get this plugin, its great!

Shell news

ok, so I'm a shell addict...yes I have tried every shell available to mankind. And its no secret the ones I prefer... Litestep, geoshell, emergedesktop, bluebox, bblean, Talisman, and Serenade. Yes there are differences between them, but each has a unique quality. I like litestep when I want to program and modify anything. I like emerge when I just want things to work. I prefer Talisman when I want eye candy. And I prefer bluebox when I want to multitask...just click the next button and the next window appears. But I must say that each are far better than the lame windows explorer shell. I can't remember the last time I was stuck using that POS. I can't believe the XP explorer shell still lets windows go under the taskbar when on top... geeez Anyway. I love alt shells about as much as my girlfriend...maybe a bit more :) And I made this page to help others to see the light. If you have a question or issue with any alt shell please let me know. Most likely I have ran into it before and can help you.