Baslinux mailing list

[Sindi Keesan <keesan AT iamjlamb.com>]

> >
> > I thought you also needed to install xbin.tgz and xlib.tgz 
> > and xpm.tgz and xcfg.tgz and your bl2-x package, in BL2.  
> 
> Those packages are for a normal Xserver, not Xvesa.  xpm.tgz 
> is only there for icewm, X runs happily without it.  
> 
> > Is it really only Xvesa?
> 
> The Xvesa executable in BL3 needs nothing else.
> 
> > Where do I get rxvt, 
> 
> It's already in BL3.

But I am planning to use X with BL2 - do I need to install rxvt there 
somehow?  And don't I need rxvt in order to start Opera and if not can you 
please tell me how to use opera with Xvesa without rxvt?

> 
> > isn't that also needed with Xvesa?
> 
> Nope. rxvt gives you a local xterm.  If you don't need a 
> local xterm, you don't need rxvt.
> 
> > Are you sure it is only the Xvesa executable that I need?
> 
> I can't speak for all the other versions of Xvesa.  But I 
> assure you that the Xvesa in BL3 definitely needs nothing 
> else.
>  
> > Did I set /dev/mouse at some point when installing BL2?
> 
> IIRC that happens in BL2 when you installpkg bl2-x.tgz

So I DO need more than just Xvesa.  Is it enough to install bl2-x.tgz and 
then also xpm.tgz to use icewm (or at least the one library from there) 
and whatever dependencies Opera has, which might be xbin and xlib, and a 
few more fonts (how do I install just Verdana fonts?).  What happens if I 
install bl2-x.tgz without xvg16.tgz?

> 
> > In BL3 you have to specify your mouse so I presume the link 
> > needs to be made at some point in order to have /dev/mouse.
> 
> That happens in BL3 when you execute startx for the first time.
Yes but I am talking about BL2.

> > Can you provide instructions for installing it with BL2 instead 
> > of your other X installation?  
> 
> I'm working on BL3 now.

That sounds like a 'not now'.  I will continue to experiment on my own 
then.  

> 
> > It does help to have a window manager as well with it,
> 
> Of course, that is why almost everybody runs a wm.  However, it
> is not required.  For example, in BL3, startxt does not run a wm.
>  
> > I am putting together another computer this week and would 
> > appreciate help in installing Xvesa properly without 10-20M 
> > extra files.  
> 
> I suggest you have a look at how Xvesa runs in BL3.  I imagine
> you could transfer it all to BL2.

> > Does Xvesa also adjust monitor refresh rates automatically?  
> Doesn't the VESA bit do that?
If I knew I would not be asking you.

> 
> > Do I still need an .xinitrc 
> 
> Xvesa does not normally use .xinitrc.  I wrote the startx script 
> and pointed it at .xinitrc (because it would be familiar to 
> experienced X users).
> 
> > I think I need a mouse to remove an image once I display it, 
> > unless the focus is on that image, 
> 
> Doesn't ALT-TAB toggle the focus?

Without any window manager I don't think it did.  I had a pile of 6 error 
message (no network connection) on top of each other when I started Opera 
offline, and could not remove them without first getting them into focus 
by moving the mouse pointer to them.

> 
> > Most X programs seem to be designed around a mouse.  
> 
> Duh.

This is why I prefer not to use X programs.  Even if keyboard navigation 
is possible, it is roundabout and requires going through several menus 
instead of a single keystroke.  Opera is a lot better than most.

> 
> > I am tired of having to switch font sizes and geometry etc. to 
> > get rxvt readable, 
> 
> Are you using an up-to-date version?  That issue was fixed in BL 3.02.

I am using BL2 with X and trying to get the xterm readable.  I have to 
redefine it for each resolution.  I may not bother if I use X only for 
Opera, now that I can scroll with Shift-PgUp/PgDn in console mode, and get 
132 or 100 columns.

I will experiment with Xvesa on a new installation, and keep better notes 
about what is needed to just run one X program without window manager.
Opera requires several libraries, but I may not need to install the whole 
package.   How can I start Opera without rxvt using Xvesa?
Xvesa -screen 800x600x15 and then what?

All I managed to get working was:
Xvesa &rxvt -e icewm and then I would call up Opera via menu, or type it 
into an xterm (I could not use the rxvt I made to run anything - no 
prompt).

I also need some way to load a keymap with xmodmap and was using .xinitrc 
for that.  Can I still use .xinitrc or do I also need xinit installed?

First we need to run an experiment on upgrading/downgrading glibco and 
whether glibc/glibcso 2.2.5 will compile using the other compiler packages 
from SW71 (2.1.3).  We put together a few more computers yesterday.