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Updates to new users information.
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  First remove the testimonials page, and add a new why use fvwm
  page which combines the various reasons why people choose to use
  fvwm. This seems more useful and a better idea than having random
  testimonials from fvwm developers. I also finally add the BlankConfig
  page I have been meaning to for way to long, and moved and updated
  the WindowManager page. This also felt like a NewToFvwm type info
  (which did have a small blurb on the why fvwm slant which was extended
  here).
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somiaj authored and ThomasAdam committed Apr 1, 2024
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33 changes: 33 additions & 0 deletions Wiki/Config/BlankConfig/index.md
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---
layout: wiki
title: Minimal Initial Configuration
---

# Minimal Initial Configuration

Fvwm provides a very minimal set of internal defaults. As most things,
such as window decor, menus, key bindings, panels, all take memory and
resources. This way fvwm starts in a functional but very minimal state,
and allows your custom configuration to only add resources that you
actually want to use. To get an idea of what the minimal configuration
looks and feels like, you can either put a blank (empty) file in
`$HOME/.fvwm/config`, or you can run fvwm as follows:

```
fvwm -f /dev/null
```

Starting fvwm with a blank configuration file will give nothing
except a black screen and a mouse. If you click on the root window
a minimal menu is presented that can launch can basically launch
an xterm, or load the default config for you.

![Screen shot of fvwm running a blank config.](min_config_scrot.png){:.m-3 .d-block .mx-auto .img-fluid}

From this very minimal state, all aspects of fvwm can be configured using
the [fvwm configuration file]({{ "/Config/Fvwm2rc" | prepend: site.wikiurl }}).
As an example check out the [default configuration file](
{{ "/DefaultConfig" | prepend: site.wikiurl }}) which covers all the
common configuration options. In contrast this shows how minimal or
full of features fvwm can be, with the default-config still be fairly
modest compared to some more complicated fvwm configurations.
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84 changes: 84 additions & 0 deletions Wiki/NewToFvwm/WhyFvwm/index.md
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---
layout: wiki
title: Why Use Fvwm?
---

# Why should I use fvwm?

Fvwm users continue to use fvwm for many different reasons.
Fvwm is a very old project and at one time was a fairly
popular window manager, and is now a tiny project still used
by lots of core users. What is it about fvwm that users like?

+ Fvwm is light weight and fast. Fvwm is built on top of X11,
and doesn't use a lot of additional libraries or widget
sets, as such it has a very small foot print on top of
the already running X server, making it quite sleek.

+ Fvwm is very stable, and preforms its task as a window manager
very well. It is very rare fvwm crashes, and most instability
is the application itself.

+ Fvwm is extremely configurable, and you can customize almost
every possible aspect of your desktop. Though this does take
a lot of work to both learn how to configure fvwm and how
to put your dream configuration into practice.

+ Fvwm has the retro Motif look, similar to CDE. But fvwm doesn't
need to look retro, and can be configured to have modern sleek
looks, to fantasy looks. Did I mention fvwm is extremely
configurable?

+ Fvwm has a wide range of modules that can be used to improve
the experience. These include a pager which shows all the
virtual pages and desktops. And modules to build panels,
and even interactive forums. Even more configurability.

+ Fvwm's configuration file is a command syntax. Configuration
commands can be sent to the running instance of fvwm at any
time. This allows writing custom scripts that can interact
and control fvwm by sending it the appropriate command.

+ Due to its configurability, fvwm has been used as the basis
for multiple desktop environments throughout the years. Two
examples are NsCDE which gives a good retro CDE look and feel,
while using modern software, and fvwm-crystal, which gives a
nice sleek look.

Fvwm is quite versatile, but in order to get the most out of
fvwm, you need to be willing to take the time to learn its
command syntax (which is just the configuration file syntax).
As you learn how to tell fvwm how to handle your windows,
you can tweak fvwm into your own dream window manager. Okay,
there are limits as to what fvwm can do, but within its
structure, there is a lot of power.

# What are fvwm's weaknesses?

If fvwm was so great, why isn't everyone using it? And though I
agree with that, the reality is fvwm requires a lot of effort
to understand and use. Configuration files are rarely portable,
as they are tied to peoples' personal images, scripts, software
installed on their system, and so on.

These days there are some portable configuration files that can
be used as a starting point, such as the [DefaultConfig](
{{ "/DefaultConfig" | prepend: site.wikiurl }}). But making
changes to fvwm still requires reading through the config file and
understanding what to change. There are no GUI tools for this
(partly because an GUI tool couldn't reasonable hold all the
options fvwm has) and learning what to change can take a little
bit of trial and error.

Fvwm's isn't built using any modern widget set or frame work, and
though its modules can allow some building of interactive UI elements,
they are a bit primitive and don't contain a lot of modern features.
Though you can build tools using modern frame works that talk to
fvwm.

Fvwm isn't for everyone, but if a quick, fast, low memory use, and
very customizable window manager sounds good to you, give it a try.
I would start by using the [DefaultConfig](
{{ "/DefaultConfig" | prepend: site.wikiurl }}),
and then you can either try to modify it to fit your desires, or go
check out all the other fvwm configurations you can find out there.
52 changes: 52 additions & 0 deletions Wiki/NewToFvwm/WindowManager/index.md
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---
layout: wiki
title: Window Mangers
---

# Window Managers

* TOC
{:toc}

## Introduction

Unlike other windowing systems the X Window System only provides access
to the graphics hardware, and other peripherals your computer uses. It
does not specify how window borders or title bars should be drawn, nor
does it explicitly handle window arrangement or key bindings. Such
implementations are left to special programs known as "Window Managers".
Their primary purpose is to do just that -- manage windows, both usually
in terms of placement, focus, decoration, etc.

Window managers can tell X11 what windows to see, where to position them,
and give you tools to organize all the running windows. Fvwm provides an
interface in which the user can tell X11 what to do with the running windows,
though both user input from the mouse and keyboard, to responding to
scripts and events.

In essence, the window manager manages all the running X11 window processes
and is a core tool for building a desktop on X11. A desktop is a window
manager along with configuration tools, panels, and additional software
all integrated and linked together. Fvwm on the other hand is just a window
manager, and the user needs to install and configure fvwm to interact
with the software they want to use.

## Why fvwm?

Fvwm provides a configuration/command syntax that can be used to configure
your own desktop, and for a more detailed response see [Why use Fvwm](
{{ "/NewToFvwm/WhyFvwm" | prepend: site.wikiurl }}).

Many people ask this question, and of course there is no answer, other
than a very personal and subjective one. For many, FVWM was their first
graphical environment that they used when first installing Linux. For many
years, RedHat used FVWM as their primary "desktop" GUI-frontend, and in 1996,
RedHat launched a competition -- the winner of which was called AnotherLevel.
For me, and others that used RedHat, this was their first taste of FVWM.
For many, it wasn't pleasant. :) Some people like to stick with what
they're used to, it seems.

But since then, and of late, I myself (ThomasAdam) have noticed a sudden
increase of FVWM users. I attribute this to some sort of 'born-again' effect;
people are waking up as to how they can configure this beast. :)

2 changes: 1 addition & 1 deletion Wiki/NewToFvwm/index.md
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Expand Up @@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ environment comes with a collection of preconfigured settings and
software (file managers, docks/panels, and so on) all integrated
together.

FVWM is a [WindowManager]({{ "/WindowManager" | prepend: site.wikiurl }})
FVWM is a [WindowManager]({{ "/NewToFvwm/WindowManager" | prepend: site.wikiurl }})
that gives the user the choice of expression. Details such as the
appearance of windows, which program will act as your file manager,
etc., are defined by the user. FVWM won't make that choice for you.
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16 changes: 0 additions & 16 deletions Wiki/Testimonials/index.md

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6 changes: 1 addition & 5 deletions Wiki/Todo/index.md
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Expand Up @@ -48,14 +48,10 @@ These are pages that are places holders.

Pages that need to be updated

+ [/NewToFvwm]({{ "/NewToFvwm" | prepend: site.wikiurl }})
-- Idea: include a description of the default config
and maybe point to some of the pages that would be useful to someone starting
with the default config and editing it.
+ [/WindowManager]({{ "/WindowManager" | prepend: site.wikiurl }})
+ [/Modules/\*]({{ "/Modules" | prepend: site.wikiurl }})
-- Most the modules don't have much more than a
description. These need to all be updated and include some examples of different
panels and things that can be done with modules.
+ Probably others I haven't listed.


24 changes: 0 additions & 24 deletions Wiki/WindowManager/index.md

This file was deleted.

11 changes: 6 additions & 5 deletions Wiki/index.md
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Expand Up @@ -7,12 +7,13 @@ title: FvwmWiki
This is the home of the __FvwmWiki__, a collection of user
pages, tips, etc., focusing on [Fvwm](https://www.fvwm.org).
Fvwm is a very flexible and configurable [window manager](
{{ "/WindowManager" | prepend: site.wikiurl }}).
Here are some [testimonials]({{ "/Testimonials" | prepend: site.wikiurl }})
from Fvwm users.
{{ "/NewToFvwm/WindowManager" | prepend: site.wikiurl }}).

If you are new to Fvwm,
[Read me]({{ "/NewToFvwm" | prepend: site.wikiurl }}) first.
If you are new, check out the
[New to Fvwm]({{ "/NewToFvwm" | prepend: site.wikiurl }})
page and the [Why use Fvwm](
{{ "/NewToFvwm/WhyFvwm" | prepend: site.wikiurl }})
pages.

## About the Wiki

Expand Down

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