xfce June 2012

xfce@lists.fedoraproject.org

26 participants
19 discussions

How can we improve the spin?
by Jayson Rowe 14 Jul '12

14 Jul '12

What's up everybody. I've debated this mail for a while - I'm the 'new kid' around these parts, but in a short time I've developed quite a passion around Fedora, and especially the Xfce spin. I've put some thought and research into this, so thanks for humoring me and reading. As great as our spin is, I know it can be better. In reality anything can be better - there should be a constant evolution of improvements. I know as Xfce users, we are a smaller niche group from what would use the default Desktop spin, or perhaps even the KDE spin. It is true, however that Xfce is experiencing a spike in popularity lately. Now, although I've only recently finally made the full switch back to Fedora (I used RHL and Fedora through Core2 before switching) I only regret not coming back sooner. Now to the point at hand, how can we make Fedora's Xfce spin first-class. I guess first, we have to define what *is* first class. I loaded up different distros with Xfce in VM's and poked around, just to see how they looked and felt, and my only real impressions were: a) many aspects of panel layout/themes are very much personal preference ---and--- b) sadly, every Xfce 'spin' I tried felt at least somewhat more polished than Fedora's out-of-the box presentation in one way or another... There are tons of screenshots on the web, but here are mine from my VMs (with my thoughts for each). Xubuntu: http://jaysonr.fedorapeople.org/pictures/xfce_screenshots/xubuntu_12_04.png So - looks nice. Greybird is my favorite theme. The wallpaper has been the same for at least 2, maybe 3 releases (I think, Charlie Kraviez can correct me on this I'm sure as he was one the Xubuntu Project Leader). I never liked the 'auto-hide' dock...in fact, I generally hate the 'extra' Xfce panel anyway. The Icons look nice, all of the icons in the system tray match, everything looks smooth, integrated and blends together. Sabayon 9: http://jaysonr.fedorapeople.org/pictures/xfce_screenshots/sabayon_9.png Although not really a 'mainstream' distro, I really only loaded it up out of curiosity to see what they had done w/ Xfce since most of the reviews and stuff online focus on the GNOME and KDE spins of this distro. I actually kinda like what they did. A 2 panel layout that could easily appeal to GNOME2 refugees, but still different from a GNOME2 layout. Again, nice icons, although everything doesn't match as nicely as in Xubuntu, still looks pretty polished. The default theme is nice (looks to be custom to the distro, perhaps) and the use the default Xfce window decorations. openSUSE 12.2 (Beta): In terms of competition for similar user-bases, I would think of openSUSE and Fedora to have the two most similar potential user bases. I like the single panel layout, although the icons seems stock Xfce, they look nicely integrated. The mixer applet on the panel (Gmixer) doesn't seem to be in our repos, but the icon for it looks nicer than the faded icon w/ the blue half-circles we have w/ the default Xfce mixer applet. They are using Adwaita for a GTK theme, and a custom window decoration (that seems closely based on the default Xfce decorations). Linux Mint Debian Edition: http://jaysonr.fedorapeople.org/pictures/xfce_screenshots/linux_mint_debian… I find the GTK theme a little too 'white' (along w/ the default wallpaper), but both the theme and window decorations seem to be modified versions of Greybird. Green (aka Mint) icons, but all of the icons match, look nicely integrated, and the system tray icons match, except for using the same mixer icon we use.\ And now, we all know the default Fedora 17 look: http://jaysonr.fedorapeople.org/pictures/xfce_screenshots/f17_default.png Here I will point out mainly what I don't like: First, I don't like the borders around the clock and notification area...just looks unfinished to me. I also wish the Applications Menu icon were the Fedora logo. I think the Adwaita theme works well (supports GTK3), but the Nodoka window decorations look dated. I hate the mixer icon, but like the rest of the 'Fedora' icon set. This next screenshot is how *I* would improve the look we have now, sticking with a same/similar layout: http://jaysonr.fedorapeople.org/pictures/xfce_screenshots/f17_alt_a.png Changes? The Fedora logo for the Applications Menu, no borders around the clock and notification area, and the default Xfce window decoration. Before I took this screenshot, I also ugraded to 4.10, and added the 'Action Buttons' plugin to the panel. Next, I simply eliminate a *personal* pet peeve - the second, bigger panel that doesn't take up the entire width of the screen. It seems wasteful to me (especially with maximized windows). I also reduced the top panel to 24px.: http://jaysonr.fedorapeople.org/pictures/xfce_screenshots/f17_alt_b.png The next layout would appeal to GNOME 2 refugees: http://jaysonr.fedorapeople.org/pictures/xfce_screenshots/f17_alt_c.png A second (24px) panel is added back, and a places applet displaying label only is added to the top panel. Reduced the text of the App menu button to just display 'Applications'. This layout looks very much like GNOME2 (to me anyway). Next, is a layout similar to what openSUSE had: http://jaysonr.fedorapeople.org/pictures/xfce_screenshots/f17_alt_d.png A single bottom panel, 24px. Finally, is basically what I'm using: http://jaysonr.fedorapeople.org/pictures/xfce_screenshots/f17_alt_e.png It's the same as the last layout, but using Greybird and the Elementary icon theme. For my personal use, I'm still a little torn between this and Adwaita, however I think the Elementary icon theme looks SO much nicer, even that ugly mixer icon is fixed ;-) It just looks more polished and integrated. I know everyone doesn't like the darker grey panel look/menus etc... So...now that I've said all of that what do you think? Like I said, I was torn about jumping in as a new guy with suggestions, but I figured why not...the worst y'all could do is say 'go away, your bothering me'...so I did it. Other thoughts I've had is, what other things do we do as a 'SIG'. I noticed an e-mail from Rex Dieter to fedora-devel speaking of a KDE SIG meeting - have we as a SIG ever had IRC meetings? Would there be any value? Would anyone attend? Since I'm just now jumping in, has there been other recent discussion I've missed about plans for F18? I know Kevin has spoken of moving to LightDM, and has included Greybird as being installed by default in the spin for F18. I'm not looking to ruffle feathers, just get discussion going and make Fedora 18's Xfce spin even more awesome. Thanks for reading! Jayson -- -jayson

9 33

lightdm testing
by Kevin Fenzi 02 Jul '12

02 Jul '12

lightdm is built for f17 now too... could some folks give it some testing and see how well it's working? I tried it here, but it just gave me a blank screen, it seemed like it wasn't starting X right or something. Could well be a local config issue however. If it looks good to others in testing, we should switch the spin to it. kevin

8 20

lightdm 1.3.1 for F17?
by Sergio Cipolla 30 Jun '12

30 Jun '12

I intend to replace LXDM for LightDM to help with testing. Version 1.3.1 was built two days ago for F18. Can I use it in F17 (I don't even know if the system will accept to install it)? Should it be built for F17 too or it just doesn't make sense to test it in F17? Regards.

4 7

lightdm F17 - screenshot info only
by Frank Murphy 22 Jun '12

22 Jun '12

F17 Xfce-4.10 lightdm-fc18 + deps http://frankly3d.eu/lightdm.png -- Regards, Frank "Jack of all, fubars"

3 3

Rawhide Panel Action Buttons
by Frank Murphy 21 Jun '12

21 Jun '12

"Shutdown" is greyed-out. Logout is fine. -- Regards, Frank "Jack of all, fubars"

3 9

Non-flattering review of Fedora XFCE
by Jayson Rowe 20 Jun '12

20 Jun '12

Just saw this: http://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/fedora-17-xfce.html Now, it's not a great review - he recycled a home directory from Xubuntu, so not sure why he made it a point to show off the funkalicious configuration that occurred as a result, but when it comes to the part after "Live Session and Installation", I can't say I totally disagree with him on all points. There really isn't anything 'polished' looking about the default setup. I know I'm new here, and I have no clue how the default look of the spin came to be, but I can't help but wonder - has any thought ever been given to spiffing things up a little? Even if everyone involved with the spin *loves* the Nodoka+Adwaita combination, I think two small changes would make for a better first impression: * Using the Fedora branded xfce4_xicon1 by default on the Applications Menu * Setting the Clock and Notification Area to have 'no borders' Honestly, I could care less about anything else the review said - most of it seemed to be him rambling on about Fedora not having proprietary codecs and such, but I *can* see how a new user might find the default presentation a little un-polished. Any other thoughts? -- -jayson

5 9

usb stick problems
by SilvioTO 20 Jun '12

20 Jun '12

Since from first installation more months ago, my fedora 16 xfce have problems with files on usb sticks, especially with big files: often (90% of times), after I transfer files on it, won't umount (device is busy), and, once file are deleted (using shift + canc), space remain occupied; using delete as normal, a .Trash folder appear with file inside. For solve the situation I must use gparted, deleting and recreate the partition. Thanks for your help.

2 2

Reboot and Shutdown in menu
by Marcus Moeller 19 Jun '12

19 Jun '12

Hi all, does one of you know a way to display Reboot and Shutdown options directly in the Xfce Menu? Right now, only the Logout option is shown. Greets Marcus

3 2

xfce4-kbdleds-plugin and xfce4-embed-plugin
by Raphael Groner 19 Jun '12

19 Jun '12

> Date: Thu, 03 May 2012 22:59:13 +0100 > From: Johannes Lips <johannes.lips(a)googlemail.com> [...] > I hope we could use those specs as a starting point to package them > up and get them in the distro. > > I really like the kbdleds plugin and I think it's really useful, if > you don't have LEDs on your keyboard to show the status. Hi Johannes, these topics are in discussion already: http://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/xfce/2012-January/000996.html http://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/xfce/2012-January/000998.html I appreciate your work! Go for it! Thanks. - Raphael

3 4

Midori <--> Firefox bookmarks in sync?
by Frank Murphy 17 Jun '12

17 Jun '12

What would good method to keep both bookmarks in sync, cron? There doesn't seem to be an obvious way Current doing it manually: http://stillstup.blogspot.ie/2010/03/midori-howto-import-bookmarks-from.html -- Regards, Frank "Jack of all, fubars"

1 0

2026

2025

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

xfce June 2012