Openbox vs Fluxbox Salix

[bitvast]

I have an old netbook which I'd like to put Salix on, and was wondering which version to install. It seems there isn't much difference in terms of resource usage between fluxbox and openbox, but apart from that, are there any compelling reasons to choose one over the other? I've never used fluxbox.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[mimosa]

I'd say it's probably mostly a matter of personal taste. Also since installation takes no more than five or ten minutes, why not try fluxbox (which you don't know) and if you don't like it, change to Openbox? I'd say fluxbox has a more minimalist feel but the functionality is actually very similar once you get the hang of it.

[bitvast]

I'd forgotten how fast Salix installs, so I'll give them both a try, as you suggest. Thanks.

[bitvast]

I installed the fluxbox edition but when I try to open "Desktop Preferences" I get an error message - "Desktop manager is not active". I understand that fluxbox doesn't support desktop icons, so is this why I'm getting the error?

Thanks again for any help.

[rokytnji]

I understand that fluxbox doesn't support desktop icons, so is this why I'm getting the error?

No. Because you can run icons in Fluxbox using rox-desktop.


Fluxbox is just as configurable as Open Box. Just different is all. While you struggle with Fluxbox. I have issues when trying to wrap my hands around Open Box.
It's all relative.

I am not on my Salix netbook posting right now. But I will come back later and upload my ~/.fluxbox folder in case something is wrong with yours.
Sounds like maybe the startup file is pooched maybe.
I only added one style and changed the menu size in one of the styles I use mostly.
So mine is pretty much stock Salix 14.1 Fluxbox.

[rokytnji]

Here is my ~/.fluxbox folder
Since I said I'd upload it.
But.
I just checked mine Setting>Desktop Preferences
and received the same error message.
So I am not sure what is going on. Maybe some other member knows more than I.

http://www.filedropper.com/fluxboxzip

I do not think my folder will change anything forr you other than add another menu style to choose from.

Edit: doing some research. You have to install a Desktop Manager to handle that part of the menu I bet.
Something I am not willing to do to test.
I have my setup dialed in to my tastes/preferences. Sorry.

Example of one way to manage icons on Fluxbox. Spacefm desktop runs fine on my AntiX fluxbox window manager.
It comes preisntalled but I do not use that feature myself. Too cluttered.

http://ignorantguru.github.io/spacefm/s ... topmanager

Hint:

so, it looks like for pcmanfm you just add "pcmanfm -desktop" to the startup

[bitvast]

Hi rokytnji,

Thanks for the feedback. Well, some progress; I can get the desktop with the Salix icons when I run pcmanfm --desktop from a terminal, but pcmanfm --desktop-pref gives me the same error as above. With the desktop running, I can then open the Desktop Preferences window but can't change the wallpaper (everything else is ok).

I might try to install rox-desktop and see how that goes.

[jsfarinet]

Hi rokytnji,

Thanks for the feedback. Well, some progress; I can get the desktop with the Salix icons when I run pcmanfm --desktop from a terminal, but pcmanfm --desktop-pref gives me the same error as above. With the desktop running, I can then open the Desktop Preferences window but can't change the wallpaper (everything else is ok).

I might try to install rox-desktop and see how that goes.

I don't know if it exists here, but there is also idesk to have icons on the fluxbox desktop - if you want that ...