MX Linux Forum

This thread started as a feedback location for MX-Fluxbox 1.0. Now that later releases are available, I have moved it to Tips & Tricks and will be editing it.
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Installation involves two steps. The base installation is enabled through the MXPackage Installer > Popular Applications tab, Window Managers entry. Once that installation finishes, the user clicks an entry in the Menu “MX-flux” to initiate the second step: moving a few small files and folders to the user’s Home directory once permission has been given. The user then logs out, selects fluxbox from the session menu in the upper right corner of the login screen, and logs back in. Fluxbox is small, fast and a pleasure to behold. When the user logs in, the desktop is up in the blink of an eye. The default is nearly bare: a stunning wallpaper by antechdesigns, a toolbar on top, and a link to the detailed FAQs (F1) in the upper left corner (to remove Menu > Out of sight). There is no menu visible, but a right-click anywhere on the desktop will bring it up. Conkies and system monitors can be added as well as killed from the menu, and style and background can be quickly changed. Dedicated function keys provide quick access to critical needs such as MX Tools, Thunar and an "All apps" menu—all described in the FAQs.

Another nice feature that the user can do with the menu whatever he or she wants, since it is just a flat file (menu-mx) with very simple syntax. Add, remove, change, rearrange—all at your command. You can even do fun stuff such as have a single click to your local weather, Wikipedia or your favorite get-me-up-in-the-morning music or video.

But by far the best way to find out what it is and how it works is to log in and start poking around—and enjoy yourself!

Nice mention and explanation of significance in today's DistroWatch News:

MX Linux has turned into a very polished distribution over the last few years, mainly due to its user-friendliness and effective integration of the desktop with its configuration tools. But it has never meant to be used as a lightweight desktop - until now. Thanks to a freshly developed and fully integrated Fluxbox overlay for MX Linux, the distribution can be installed and used even on less powerful computers...

Now all we need is to entice you to explore hlwm (Herbstluftwm) & bspwm ~ a couple of wonderful tilers. @stevo has made almost all their essential software available. pywal is the only manual install required (by me because I like the 'glitz' it provides in dynamically changing desktop colors to match wallpaper changes, as they come & go.)

Keep up the nice 'ricing' work.

Is Fluxbox safe? It doesn't look like there has been any news or development for four or more years.

manyroads wrote: Mon Dec 16, 2019 1:28 pm Now all we need is to entice you to explore hlwm (Herbstluftwm) & bspwm ~ a couple of wonderful tilers. @stevo has made almost all their essential software available. ...

... Only bspwm, because Herbstluftwm is already for antiX ;-)

figueroa wrote: Mon Dec 16, 2019 1:43 pm Is Fluxbox safe? It doesn't look like there has been any news or development for four or more years.

I am not certain that I would equate development with being safe. Windows is actively developed... as for its safety; that's certainly worthy of discussion. Like Openbox, fluxbox is 'functionally stabilized'.

oops wrote: Mon Dec 16, 2019 1:46 pm

manyroads wrote: Mon Dec 16, 2019 1:28 pm Now all we need is to entice you to explore hlwm (Herbstluftwm) & bspwm ~ a couple of wonderful tilers. @stevo has made almost all their essential software available. ...

... Only bspwm, because Herbstluftwm is already for antiX ;-)

I have hlwm looking vastly different on MX from the native antiX version.

manyroads wrote: Mon Dec 16, 2019 2:00 pm ...
I have hlwm looking vastly different on MX from the native antiX version.

Me too, but for icewm.

If I may ask (and this is from inexperience).

...so FluxBox takes the place of other Desktop Environments, like XCFE, KDE and Gnome? (XCFE I believe is the default overlay for MX)
Or is this a replacement for Thunar File Manager?

Jerry mentioned quick startup but right now I log into MX and the desktop is literally "there", no waiting.

Do we lose the whisper menu?

Just trying to find out if there will be benefits other than lightweight.

Thanks

1) Fluxbox is a window manager, and replaces the window management part of Xfce or whatever you currently use. It is not provide a complete desktop environment, and Xfce (or whatever) will continue to carry out those functions
2) It has nothing to do with the file manager at all
3) Great that your system is so fast
4) Whisker menu itself is not there, but a variant is available (F6) that has the same categories and applications.