Dual monitor settings suggestions [Solved]

[tascoast]

After some experimentation with using dual monitors, my main machine is set up as follows:
Lenovo - Samsung 21" [SyncMaster 2243BWX] 1680x1050 with ASUS [VW192t] 20" 1440x900 via AMD Caicos XT [Radeon HD 7470/8470 / R5 235/310 OEM]

I note a couple of strategies that I find helpful.
Using Antix and finding monitors reversed by hardware upon booting, I've physically swapped cables to default to my desired arrangement; largest monitor to the left, smaller to the right. The smaller monitor tends to 'snap' to top left by default.

As such I have settled on a panel just showing on my main (larger left) monitor, although I do prefer to align the smaller monitor to the bottom of the larger. This does allow the panel to be easily extended across both monitors (panel at bottom settings) if this is required.

From MX-19 ARandR becomes the primary display settings manager. Sometimes checking the Display settings to confirm that monitors are set as desired is helpful, prior to confirming that ARand R settings have been effective. If not, repeating the process and restarting the system usually corrects this. Antix requires additional steps, from experience.

Conky can behave erratically when aligned to the top-right of the right monitor. I either place Conky on the left (main) monitor or top-left of the right monitor, where adjusting alignment in individual Conky settings via Conky Manager is typically much simpler.

Some applications don't always stay on one monitor. Examples may include Synaptic or MX USB Unmounter, when pop up windows can be hidden by something like VLC Player running in full screen mode on the secondary monitor.

Drag the Desktop-Background selection window to the monitor you wish to change the background on. Browse Other... and navigate to the directory where you keep custom backgrounds if required. Auto-mount other partitions with Disk Manager so they are accessible, if located outside your home or root directories, if using another location (eg media/Data/Backgrounds)

I haven't noticed any other unusual or potentially confusing other than screensavers, which I am yet to explore.

Edit: One last thing, if I plug into the HDMI socket on the video card to the TV while using both monitors, the default is to display on the left/largest monitor and the TV via HDMI. The smaller/right monitor blanks while HDMI is connected. The TV extends the desktop to the right as a second monitor by default. I used the PC sound/speakers for simplicity while watching a movie, since sound via HDMI requires further investigation.