FVWM on Ubuntu 21.04
FVWM on Ubuntu 21.04
FVWM(https://www.fvwm.org/) is an ICCCM-compliant multiple virtual desktop window manager for the X Window system. It is configured by editing text-based configuration files.
I’m tired of the endless bugs and updates of the Ubuntu’s default GNOME desktop. Therefore, I switched to FWVM and no longer use GNOME desktop.
I tried FVWM for a few days, and it works very well. I haven’t added some features yet, but it doesn’t matter. I will continue to improve my Fvwm when I have free time. Screenshot of my desktop:
Part I: Install fvwm and quick start
Setup 1. Install the FVWM3 package.
Setup 2. Build your ~/.xinitrc
file
The xinit program allows a user to manually start an Xorg display server. More details: https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Xinit
My file ~/.xinitrc
is here.
Setup 3. Test and Try basic fvwm configuration
I use the default configuration files in fvwm3/default-config/*
as my starting point. So, I copy those configuration files to ~/.fvwm
directory with the following command:
# copy fvwm3/default-config github directory to ~/.fvwm.
sudo cp -r /usr/local/share/fvwm3/default-config/* ~/.fvwm
sudo chown -R someuser ~/.fvwm
sudo rm -r /usr/local/share/fvwm3/default-config
If your are running Ubuntu with GNONE, you must logout current Ubuntu session, and Ctrl + Alt + F2
. Then:
# Disable gnome display manager.
sudo service gdm3 stop
# start X
startx
Part II: Build your own fvwm3 .config
You can modify the default .fvwm/config
as your first start. Or copy and use my config
file directly, then make your personalized twist and changes.
I use nemo as my file manager.
Recommended reading
- archlinux.org: FVWM
- Some discuss in ArchLabsLinux/fvwm3
- How to build a taskbar?
- FVWM Tips
- Youtube: Obscure Window Manager Project - FVWM
- https://zensites.net/fvwm/guide/index.html
Part III: Switch from Gnome to Fvwm permanently
Setup 1. Disable Gdm
sudo systemctl disable gdm3
Setup 2. Boot with command-line interface:
sudo gedit /etc/default/grub
comment: #GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quite splash"
and add “text”. This:
#GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quite splash"
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="text"
Then, sudo update-grub
.
Setup 3. Tell systemd to not load the desktop with:
sudo systemctl enable multi-user.target --force
sudo systemctl set-default multi-user.target
Setup 3. Auto-run startx
add entry to ~/.bash_profile
or ~/.zprofile
if [ -z "${DISPLAY}" ] && [ "${XDG_VTNR}" -eq 1 ]; then
exec startx
fi