Date: Thu, 24 Dec 1998 13:33:45 -0800 From: gummibear@we.mediaone.net To: newbies@FreeBSD.ORG Subject: Unix Desktop Message-ID: <3.0.1.32.19981224133345.006990d4@we.mediaone.net>
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I've been working with Unix for about a Year (or was it 2 years, I forget). Actually, it may have been longer than that but I really wasn't productive with Unix so I don't count that time. This posting/email is basically about all my gripes concerning the X Desktop. Christmas just puts me in a bad mood, I'm usually not a complainer. But... *shrug* Anyways, I still have alot to learn about the system and how it works. Mostly I think I should really get into C programming to fully understand how it functions internally. I mostly use my system as a Desktop alternative to Windows 95. Windows 95 may have alot of internal problems and stability problems, but the interface really isn't that bad. Everything seems to look and work well together, such as icons, menus, toolbars that dock along the side, etc. As far as appearance goes, it all seems to lookg good (although sometimes it doesn't work so great). On the other hand, on my X desktop I've used KDE and WindowMaker and both are pretty nice. Window Maker has the cool Next-like look and feel. It looks nice and keeps it's Unix attitude. It also doesn't take a whole lot of memory to run, which is really nice!! KDE makes the system usable to MS Windows users, and it all keeps a good level of interface standardization (ala KDE style) and it has alot of neat applications of it's own. It seems to look like OS/2, Windows 95, and MacOS all roled into one. Only problem, it's a resource hog. Lately, I have basically evaluating the X Windows system, and I just can't figure out why it hasn't been made any easier for average users. I can't figure out why antialiased fonts (such as true type fonts) haven't been made the standard. I can't figure out why there hasn't been a solution to the problem of not having a standardized Interface (or a few standardized interfaces to choose from when developing applications or whatever - choice isn't a bad thing). I can't figure out why the standard X libraries and widget set hasn't been given the 90's look and feel (ala qt libraries). I guess my biggest gripe is the font thing, because my girlffried keeps bitching about it. She does alot of work in photoshop using true type fonts. I know there are true type font servers for X windows, but she like the ability to easily install and delete fonts with a click of a mouse button and having the system do it's magic automatically. And that's what keeps me from getting Windows 95 once and for all. Well actually that's one reason I don't get rid of windows. She also likes AOL Instant Messager so she can keep in contact with her family. The tcl version seems to need some work. I don't know anything about the java version to evaluate it. I'm just wondering is there an alternative to X Windows? Has another Windowing system been developed for Unix? I was just curious. *I* can put up with X Windows and stuff, but what about those users that don't have the time to learn it all and/or have the patience to battle with it. I remember the days that I used to battle with .fvwmrc and .steprc. Everytime I downloaded and installed a new application I had to edit the file to add an icon or whatever. Then I get bored of my set up and rearrage the whole thing. heh heh But that's how I had my fun I guess. I've been trying to figure out how I can speed up my programming learning process to see if I can take AfterStep 1.0 and make it more modular with all sorts of little applicatios to change it's appearance and how it works. I guess a little project to get me into learning how to do it all, I guess. I have also been wondering if a java based window manager can be created for X Windows. That would be interesting I think, although I'll have to learn how to program in Java. heh Lot's to learn.!! Okay, I guess I'm done with all my whining. Like I said, I'm usually not like this...Christmas just puts me in a bad mood. :/ heh heh Maybe I should piss off my gf and totally remove Win95...how's that sound? ;) Well talk to you all later, Joey a.k.a. Scrooge a.k.a. The Grinch etc To Unsubscribe: send mail to majordomo@FreeBSD.org with "unsubscribe freebsd-newbies" in the body of the message
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