nanogui: Documentation
Subject:
Re: [nanogui] Documentation
From:
David Douthitt ####@####.####
Date:
29 Jun 2001 16:18:55 -0000
Message-Id: <3B3C9C5A.BF89B407@mailbag.com>
Thanks for the quick reply!
Alex Holden wrote:
> On Fri, 29 Jun 2001, David Douthitt wrote:
> > * Will rxvt (and other X programs) work with nano-X?
>
> No. Nano-X isn't compatible with X, only similar.
This is an important distinction.
> > * Do I need special programs to use nano-X?
>
> Define "special" in this context.
Programs specifically designed to run under nano-X - programs created
specifically for nano-X. A great benefit is lost when you can't use
off-the-shelf X applications under nano-X.
> > * Where are the applications? Where's the application archive?
>
> Quite a few of them are in the demos/ directory of the source
> distribution. Most FLTK applications can be ported using FLNX. There is a
> browser called ViewML and also a port of Mozilla. I think there is a JVM
> implementation somewhere.
I not at all familiar with X development; perhaps some of my questions
will almost sound like newbie questions, but... what's FLTK? I seem to
remember "F... L... Tool Kit" but I dunno. Also, what's FLNX?
> > * What are the steps for adding nano-X and applications to a
> > distribution?
>
> Er, copy the programs to the filesystem? Not sure if I fully understand
> your question there.
I think I know (partially) the answer:
1. Copy any dynamic libraries to /lib.
2. Run ldconfig
3. Copy nano-X (or whatever the X server widget is) to your path.
4. Copy nanowm (?) to your path.
5. Copy any applications to your path.
Another question (and answer?):
Q. How do I start nano-X?
A. With a shell script like the following:
#!/bin/sh
nano-X &
nanowm &
nanoxterm &
> > * What do I need to run a nano-X application?
>
> A computer running one of the supported operating systems (typically Linux
> in framebuffer graphics mode), with the Nano-X server (and probably the
> window manager too).
Since you mentioned it... what's the advantage of frame buffers over
SVGAlib?
From where I sit, the advantage of SVGAlib is that it can be removed if
someone doesn't want it - but then, can framebuffer support be used as a
module?
> > * How do I configure nano-X at run-time?
>
> Configure in what way? You can't add and remove features at run time.
Things like the following come to mind:
* using some window managers, you can specify what "Xterm" really runs -
is it xterm, rxvt, aterm, or eterm? This is often used to determine
which terminal program to use to open the initial terminal window.
* Applications: xterm, rxvt, etc. - specify things like colors, etc.
> > Some of these questions I might be able to answer myself now; however, I
> > can imagine new users asking these questions.
>
> Most of the users so far are also developers, and when we do start getting
> large numbers of users, I suspect most of them will be using them from the
> perspective of "a black box with a display" and couldn't care less what
> windowing system it runs.
I'm not a "end-user" which just wants to run things; I'm a
programmer/Linux distribution-maker who doesn't want to know about APIs
and function calls; I just want to package it up some users of my
distribution can use it without too much trouble, and add applications
and/or documentation as necessary. Here are the questions (as a
prospective user) which I would have (some have been answered):
Q. Can I use existing X applications?
A. No.
Q. What applications are available?
A. ?
Q. Can I use existing X window managers?
A. No (?)
Q. How do I use the Nano-X window manager?
A. ?
Q. Can I run Windows applications under Linux by using microwin?
A. No (?) ...I suspect there is a lot more to the story than just the
Windows API...
Q. How do I start nano-X?
A. ?
Q. Are there RPMs or other binary packages available?
A. No (?)
Q. What hardware does it run on?
A. ?
Q. Does it allow remote sessions?
A. No (?)
Q. What files do I need to install on my path to run nanoX?
A. ?
Q. What directories need to exist to run nanoX?
A. ?
> > If I missed the documentation that has these questions answered, let me
> > know.
>
> Did you try the mailing list archive search engine?
I'm afraid I'm guilty; I didn't. I do remember checking the list
briefly for compile problems under Red Hat or Mandrake, but I don't
remember a search engine.
Anyway, these questions seem so basic I thought there MUST be a doc
somewhere - but if there isn't there will be soon :-)
