Beyond Linux From Scratch - Version 6.2.0

Chapter 27. Window Managers

XFce-4.2.3.2

Introduction to XFce

The XFce package contains a lightweight desktop environment.

Package Information

XFce Dependencies

Required

GTK+-2.8.20 and libxml2-2.6.26

Optional

GDM-2.14.10, librsvg-2.14.4 (xffm links to librsvg automatically if librsvg is installed), libgtkhtml-2.11.0, startup-notification-0.8, and a2ps-4.13b (required to build xfprint).

User Notes: http://wiki.linuxfromscratch.org/blfs/wiki/xfce

Installation of XFce

A bare minimum XFce setup requires installation of the following packages:

  • libxfce4util-4.2.3.2.2

  • dbh-1.0.24

  • libxfcegui4-4.2.3.2

  • libxfce4mcs-4.2.3.2

  • xfce-mcs-manager-4.2.3.2

  • xfwm4-4.2.3.2.2

  • xfce4-panel-4.2.3.2

  • xfdesktop-4.2.3.2

  • xfce-utils-4.2.3.2

Install the minimum applications by issuing the following commands: 

./configure --prefix=/usr --sysconfdir=/etc &&
make

If you use GDM-2.14.10 as your display manager and would like to be able to log into an XFce session from the login prompt, pass the --enable-gdm option to the xfce-utils-4.2.3.2 configure script (requires which-2.16 to be installed at run time).

Now, as the root user: 

make install

In addition, you may choose to install:

  • gtk-xfce-engine-2.2.8

  • xfcalendar-4.2.3.2

  • xfce-mcs-plugins-4.2.3.2

  • xfce4-appfinder-4.2.3.2

  • xfce4-icon-theme-4.2.3.2

  • xfce4-iconbox-4.2.3.2

  • xfce4-mixer-4.2.3.2

  • xfce4-session-4.2.3.2

  • xfce4-systray-4.2.3.2

  • xfce4-toys-4.2.3.2

  • xfce4-trigger-launcher-4.2.3.2

  • xffm-4.2.3.2

  • xfprint-4.2.3.2

  • xfwm4-themes-4.2.3.2

Install the remaining applications using the following commands: 

./configure --prefix=/usr --sysconfdir=/etc \
     --libexecdir=/usr/lib/xfce4 &&
make

Also, xfprint can be configured with --enable-cups if you have CUPS-1.2.7 installed.

And then as root: 

make install

As the root user, move the help documentation to the standard BLFS location and modify the help script to look for it there: 

mv -vf /usr/share/xfce4/doc /usr/share/doc/xfce4 &&
sed -i 's@xfce4/doc@doc/xfce4@' /usr/bin/xfhelp4

Command Explanations

--sysconfdir=/etc: libxfce4util, xfce4-panel, xfdesktop, xfce-utils and xfce4-session require this parameter because the path is built into the library or they install configuration files in /etc/xdg.

--libexecdir=/usr/lib/xfce4: xfce4-session requires this parameter to install some utility programs to the correct location.

Configuring XFce

Configuration Information

XFce will look for the theme index from hicolor-icon-theme-0.9 at run-time. Ensure you install the package before launching XFce.

Issue the command below to create an .xinitrc file which will automatically run the appropriate XFce programs when the X Window system is launched. Be sure to backup your existing .xinitrc file before proceeding. 

cat > ~/.xinitrc << "EOF"
xfce-mcs-manager
xfwm4 --daemon
xftaskbar4 &
xfdesktop &
exec xfce4-panel
EOF

Contents

Installed Programs: fgr, scramble, startxfce4, xfbook, xfbook4, xfcalendar, xfce-mcs-manager, xfce-setting-show, xfce4-about, xfce4-appfinder, xfce4-iconbox, xfce4-kiosk-query, xfce4-menueditor, xfce4-mixer, xfce4-panel, xfce4-session, xfce4-session-logout, xfce4-tips, xfdesktop, xfdiff4, xffm, xffrequent, xffrequent4, xffstab, xffstab4, xfglob4, xfhelp4, xflock4, xfmime-edit, xfmountdev4, xfrecent, xfrecent4, xfprint-manager, xfprint4, xfrun4, xfsamba4, xftaskbar4, xfterm4, xftrash4, xftree4, and xfwm4
Installed Libraries: libxfce4util.{a,so}, libdbh.{a,so}, libxfcegui4.{a,so}, libxfce4mcs.{a,so}, libxffm_actions.so, libxffm_basic.so, libxffm_calls.so, libxffm_cpy.so, libxffm_on_demand.so, libxffm_secondary.so, libxffm_tubo.so, libxfsm-4.2.{a,so}
Installed Directories: /usr/lib/xfce4, /usr/share/doc/xfce4, /usr/share/xfce4, /usr/share/xffm and /usr/share/xfwm4

Short Descriptions

fgr

is a file content search engine for xffm.

startxfce4

is a script which starts up the XFce Desktop Environment.

xfce-mcs-manager

is the settings manager for XFce.

xfce4-about

displays the about box.

xfce4-session

saves the state of your desktop and restores it when you next start XFce.

xfce-setting-show

displays the settings for XFce.

xfce4-panel

is the panel manager for XFce. It contains the launcher, clock, mail check, desktop switcher and separator programs.

xfdesktop

is the desktop manager for XFce.

xfhelp4

is script that launches a HTML browser to display online documentation. It requires which to run.

xflock4

is a script used to lock the current screen during drag and drop actions.

xfmountdev4

mounts a device on the specified mount point and launches xftree4, then unmounts the device when xftree4 finishes.

xfrun4

is the program launcher for XFce.

xfsamba4

is the Samba front end for XFce.

xftaskbar4

is the taskbar manager for XFce.

xfterm4

is a small terminal wrapper to be used as a drag and drop action for the XFce front panel. It requires which to run.

xftrash4

is a small binary to be used as a drag and drop action for the XFce front panel.

xffm

is the file manager for XFce.

xfwm4

is an X11 window manager for XFce.

Last updated on 2007-01-29 23:25:21 -0600