Wm2 Explained

wm2
Author:Chris Cannam
Operating System:Linux, Unix-like
Programming Language:C++
Genre:Window manager

wm2 is a minimalist reparenting window manager for the X Window System written by Chris Cannam.

History

wm2 was released around 1997 and was inspired by the window manager from the operating system Plan 9.[1]

Functions

wm2 was designed to have a simple set of features and be fast. It provides support for moving, resizing, and deleting windows, but does not support desktop icons, menus, toolbars, panels, or docks.[2] Instead of icons, wm2 allows temporary hiding of windows from the desktop environment. Hidden windows can be recovered via a menu from the root window. It does not support interactive configuration, or provide a virtual desktop, and other features of modern window managers such as configurable root menus, toolbars, etc. Configuration options require editing and recompiling a source file and few options are available.[3] [4] wm2 is intended to be configuration free.[5]

wmx

wmx is a version of wm2 modified to add experimental features otherwise not supported in wm2.[6] [7]

Reception

wm2 was noted as being "very spartan", "bare-bones", and minimalist, though opinions on it were positive as it is allows for easy access to X11 and window management without too much configuration.[8] [9] One author noted it used less memory than the other options he tried, getting it to run with only 0.7MB of memory.

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ayers . Larry . 1997-01-24 . A Profusion of Window-Managers . 2024-06-10 . Linux Gazette.
  2. Web site: 2013-04-09 . A Memory Comparison of Light Linux Desktops – Part 2 . enos.itcollege.ee.
  3. Web site: Ayers . Larry . 1997-01-21 . wm2 . 2024-06-09 . Linux Gazette.
  4. Book: Burk, Robin . UNIX Unleashed . 1998 . Sams Pub. . 978-0-672-31411-7 . 476 . en.
  5. Book: Stutz, Michael . The Linux Cookbook, 2nd Edition: Tips and Techniques for Everyday Use . 2004 . No Starch Press . 978-1-59327-031-5 . 428 . en.
  6. Web site: wmx . 2024-06-10 . www.all-day-breakfast.com.
  7. Web site: T2 package - trunk - wmx - A window manager for X based on wm2 . 2024-06-10 . t2sde.org.
  8. Book: Smith, Roderick W. . Degunking Linux . 2005 . Paraglyph Press . 978-1-933097-04-6 . 91 . en.
  9. Book: Stephens, Ryan K. . Sams' Teach Yourself Linux in 24 Hours . Ball . Bill . Smoogen . Stephen . 1998 . Sams Pub. . 978-0-672-31162-8 . 137 . en.