Using the fvwm window manager under gnome

Last modified 14 Jul 2005

I use gnome, but I have never been happy with the metacity window manager, which is far less configurable than the venerable fvwm. However, you can't simply switch from metacity to fvwm because the gnome file manager nautilus covers up the entire root window, making it impossible to control the behavior of your desktop. But does nautilus offer enough useful functionality to be worth the trouble? I don't think so. fvwm is simple, it starts up instantaneously, and you can configure any keystrokes and mouse clicks you like. metacity and nautilus just get in the way. Let's get rid of them. Step by step:

1. Download the fvwm RPM file from the fvwm website and install it. (It needs the libstroke package too.)
2. Replace metacity with fvwm:

   > gnome-session-properties &
   second tab, select "metacity", change value from "restart" to "normal"
   click "apply"
   > killall metacity; sleep 1; fvwm &
   

3. Get Nautilus off the root window:

   > gconftool-2 --type bool --set /apps/nautilus/preferences/show_desktop false
   

   Restart the gnome session, selecting "save this session". Now you are back in control of your desktop again.

Copyright © Mark Alford (2005)

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