• Arch Linux + XFCE
    13 replies, posted
I'm getting a new computer soon, a Macbook Pro to be exact. Not really concerned with opinions of the computer, but I'm not a crazy "Mac or Die" fan, they just happen to be nice laptops in my opinion. What is important is the OS I'm going to run. I plan on dual-booting between an Arch Linux setup with XFCE and OS X. So, to make sure I could do this, though I am experienced with Linux and the like, I decided to use VirtualBox to test installation. So, I got it installed with ease and I went to install xfce. This is where I need some assistance. I've installed gnome but never xfce and when I did install gnome it was with a clean installation of Debian in which I set it up to be command line. The two problems are pretty simple. What display manager do I use and how can I make xfce look better? By better, I mean less like the terrible looking default setup and more like Xubuntu. I did get the panels properly set up but there's still just something that seems weird about it. The finalized questions are below as the tldr message. [b]tldr[/b] : How do I make xfce on Arch Linux look more like Xubuntu? What display manager should I use/Why doesn't xfce boot on start-up? What are some cool mods/setups for xfce? How do you get a translucent terminal that's blurred?
Why not just installing Xubuntu, since it sounds like you're not well versed with CLI or Arch in general.
XFCE is a display manager, while arch is a distribution. When you install arch, all you are given is a command line. With arch you install and configure whichever display manager you want.
[url]http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/MacBook[/url] That's a great link. I'm doing the same thing. [editline]12:33AM[/editline] [QUOTE=Mattz333;22153945]XFCE is a display manager, while arch is a distribution. When you install arch, all you are given is a command line. With arch you install and configure whichever display manager you want.[/QUOTE] When you install xfce4 it's a desktop enviroment. It comes with panels and all the programs you need.
[QUOTE=Van-man;22153572]Why not just installing Xubuntu, since it sounds like you're not well versed with CLI or Arch in general.[/QUOTE] Not Arch, but I'm fine with CLI. The idea was to practice in a VM before I screw anything up for real and have to reformat something. Also, I don't want to do Xubuntu because when I do install it I end up installing almost every program because I prefer something else over it. I also just want to try something different. [editline]10:16PM[/editline] [QUOTE=Mattz333;22153945]XFCE is a display manager, while arch is a distribution. [b]When you install arch, all you are given is a command line. With arch you install and configure whichever display manager you want.[/b][/QUOTE] Thanks... I totally didn't know that... [/sarcasm] [editline]10:17PM[/editline] [QUOTE=Maccabee;22153972][url]http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/MacBook[/url] That's a great link. I'm doing the same thing. [editline]12:33AM[/editline] When you install xfce4 it's a desktop enviroment. It comes with panels and all the programs you need.[/QUOTE] I've seen the link. In respects to xfce4 coming with everything you need, why doesn't mine boot on start up then? [editline]10:31PM[/editline] [QUOTE=Van-man;22153572]it sounds like you're not well versed with CLI or Arch in general.[/QUOTE] Let me make something clear about this, since I don't think you understood. I installed Arch just fine. My problem is weird things with xfce that I'm not used to because I only recently started using it. I could quite easily set up and install gnome since I'm well aware of how that works. [editline]10:39[/editline] [url]http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Xfce[/url] says I need a display manager. None of the ones on that page apply to xfce directly, should I use slim?
[QUOTE=<ToD> Aaron;22155831] I've seen the link. In respects to xfce4 coming with everything you need, why doesn't mine boot on start up then? [/QUOTE] What exactly do you mean? What is happening and at what stage is it happening? After you login through command line, and type startx to start X11, does it start? Have you installed xorg?
[QUOTE=<ToD> Aaron;22155831] I've seen the link. In respects to xfce4 coming with everything you need, why doesn't mine boot on start up then?[/QUOTE] Because you need to manually launch it, or configure a file to launch it automatically.
[QUOTE=<ToD> Aaron;22155831]I've seen the link. In respects to xfce4 coming with everything you need, why doesn't mine boot on start up then?[/QUOTE] you'll have to edit both .xinitrc and .bashrc (or .zshrc, or the rc file for whatever shell you use.)
wait, why don't you try the [url=http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Xfce]arch wiki[/url]?
[QUOTE=snuwoods;22160291]wait, why don't you try the [URL="http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Xfce"]arch wiki[/URL]?[/QUOTE] Was about to say, why don't check their wiki. I'd say try to find your problem there :).
[QUOTE=snuwoods;22160291]wait, why don't you try the [url=http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Xfce]arch wiki[/url]?[/QUOTE] If you bothered to read the article, you'd see it just says "You need a display manager" and none of those apply specifically to Xfce. That was part of my question. Should I use slim or is there something else I should use for Xfce?
well, if you cared to click the [url=http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Display_Manager]desk manager link[/url]...you'd find: [quote=arch wiki]Note: It is best practice, but not required, to choose the display manager that corresponds to your desktop environment. Typically SLiM is preferred [B]if there is not a corresponding desktop environment[/B].[/quote] if you can't be arsed to use a wiki, just go back to OSX. Steve Jobs will give you a warm embrace.
Jesus christ, I'm not some absurd Mac fanatic. And I read the damn link. I read that note too. Sorry that I was confused by the fact that Mattz333 said that Xfce IS a display manager. [editline]05:52PM[/editline] There, got it running in Slim in a few minutes. Now I just want to know if anybody knows some cool UI mods and the like for Xfce.
Fuck Xfce, go with Xorg + Openbox.
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