9wm

Section: User Commands (1)
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NAME

9wm - 8-1/2-like Window Manager for X

SYNOPSIS

9wm[-grey] [-version] [-fontfname] [-termtermprog] [exit|restart]

DESCRIPTION

9wmis a window manager for X which attempts to emulate the window managementpolicies of Plan 9's 8-1/2window manager.

The-greyoption makes the background light grey, as does 8-1/2.Use this option for maximum authenticity.-fontfnamesets the font in9wm'smenu tofname,overriding the default.-termtermprogspecifies an alternative program to run when theNewmenu item is selected.-versionprints the current version on standard error, then exits.

To make 9wmexit, you have to run9wm exiton the command line. There is no ``exit'' menu item.

9wmis click-to-type: it has a notion of the current window,which is usually on top, and always has its border darkened.Characters typed at the keyboard go to the current window,and mouse clicks outside the current window are swallowed upby9wm.To make another window the current one, click on it with button 1.Unlike other X window managers, 9wm implements `mouse focus': mouse eventsare sent only to the current window.

A menu of window operations is available by pressing button 3outside the current window.The first of these,New,attempts to spawn a9termprocess (orxtermif9termis not available).The new9termwill request that its outline be swept using button 3of the mouse, by changing the cursor.(xtermdefaults to a fixed size, and thus wants to be dragged; pressingbutton 3 places it.)

The next four menu items areReshape,Move,Delete,andHide.All of the operations change the cursor into a target, prompting the userto click button 3 on one of the windows to select it for the operation.At this stage, clicking button 1 or 2 will abort the operation.Otherwise, if the operation wasResize,the user is prompted to sweep out the new outline with button 3.If it wasMove,the user should keep the button held down after the initial click that selectedthe window, and drag the window to the right place before releasing.In either case, button 1 or 2 will abort the operation.

If theDeleteoperation is selected, the window will be deleted when the button is released.This typically kills the client that owns the window.TheHideoperation just makes the window invisible. While hidden, the window'sname appears on the bottom of the button 3 menu. Selecting that itembrings the window back (unhides it).This operation replaces the iconification feature provided by otherwindow managers.

BUGS

Is not completely compatible with 8-1/2.

There is a currently a compiled-in limit of 32 hidden windows.

This document was created byman2html,using the manual pages.

9wm

NAME

SYNOPSIS

DESCRIPTION

BUGS

SEE ALSO

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