MAN page from Old RedHat 5.X dfm-0.9.2-2.i386.rpm

DFM

Section: Misc. Reference Manual Pages (1x)
Index

NAME

dfm - a filemanager for X

SYNOPSIS

dfm
dfmdirectory [-detail|-structure]
dfm-setdir directory
dfm-setfile file...

DESCRIPTION

DFM is a drag-and-drop file- and desktopmanager for X11. It should beused in conjunction with a X window manager such as twm, fvwm orafterstep.

USAGE

THERE IS NO WARRANTY.

You may distribute under the terms of the GNU General PublicLicense as specified in the COPYING file.

START

If you start DFM for the first time it will create a directory named"~/.dfmdesk" in the homedirectory. All files, directories or links inthis ~/.dfmdesk will hereafter be visible as icons on the root windowof your window manager. Icons that refer to links will have a tinyarrow attached to the lower right of the original icon.

After creation of this directory dfm will by default install a numberof links in this directory: ".linktohomedir", which points to yourhome directory and ".linktorootdir", which points to the rootdirectory of the filesystem. Then it creates some links to a number ofpopular programs, such as xedit and xv, if available on your system.

When dfm is started without parameters (typically in .Xclients or asimilar file) it displays the objects that are exist as links orfiles in the .dfmdesk-directory as icons. ".linktorootdir" is shown asthe icon of a folder with the title "/" and ".linktohomedir" is shownas a folder with the title "~/". If a directory window is opened bydouble-clicking the corresponding icon with the mouse, a new instanceof dfm is spawned that displays the information for the files in thatdirectory.

You can open new directory windows from the command line by invokingdfm with parameters. If you try to run dfm this way before havingstarted the main instance, it will wait 30 seconds to see if the maininstance will become active; if not it ends itself automatically.

COMMAND LINE OPTIONS

DFM does not accept any of the common X options. Don't use the-geometry or -display options. DFM will read the DISPLAYvariable of the shell instead. The geometry of a window will be setautomatically (see USING DFM).

-detail: Show the directory in detail mode.
-structure: Show the directory in tree mode.
directory-name: Show the directory in icon mode.
-setfile: If you have specified a single file, a fileoptions windowopens in single mode. Otherwise a fileoptions window opensin multiple mode.
-setdir: A windowoptions window opens.

CONCEPT

The concept of DFM is very easy: Every new window reports its positionand backgroundpixmap to the main instance of dfm. It also reports theinformation about its files to this instance. In this manner theposition, icon and shellcommand of every file is known. If you end DFMwithout saving you will loose the information, unless you use the"save positions" command.

USING DFM

files

Dfm keeps the information about saved windows in the file ".dfminfo" inthe home directory. This file cannot be edited by the user. If it getserased or corrupted you can generate a new .dfminfo file by the 'savepositions' command.

DFM also needs the ".dfmext" file. If this file cannot be found in thehomedirectory DFM will look for the file "dfmext" in the directory"/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/dfm/", where it also keeps the backgrounds andicons.

You can edit the ".dfmext" file using a normal text editor. It contains alist with the extensions of filenames, the names of the associatedicons and the action that has to be taken when activated by clickingor dropping. The format is "extension;icon;command&command&...". DFM will take the first line that fits the extension.

For example:

"*.gif;/usr/X11/lib/X11/dfm/picicon.xpm;xv !0!"

would describe the icon for files with the extension ".gif" and theaction to be taken when the file is double-clicked. The string !0! atthe end refers to the expanded filename and must be present.

Note: There is no difference between ';' and LF in the format.

The ".dfmdesk/" directory is already described in the START section.

Using the mouse

Manipulation of files and directories in dfm is done bydouble-clicking on icons with the lefthand mouse button or draggingthe icons over the desktop and dropping them on other icons thatrepresent either directories or executables.

No keys pressed. When dropping a file- or directory icon on adirectory icon or a directory window, this causes a move (mv)operation from the first location of the file to the directory it isdragged to.

SHIFT-key pressed. If the icon is dragged when the SHIFT-key ispressed, the file is not moved. A symbolic link is made instead.

CTRL-key pressed. If the icon is dragged while the CTRL-key ispressed, the file is not moved. Instead, a copy of the file is made,as if cp was used with the -rdp options (according to the syntaxof the GNU mv as used by Linux).

SHIFT and CTRL-keys presssed. If both CTRL and SHIFT arepressed, a copy like "cp -r" is executed (follows links).

Programs are launched by double-clicking the program icon.

If the icon of a (data-)file is double-clicked, the action describedin the shellcommand for the file is executed. Generally this wil causean executable to be launched with the file that is represented by theicon as parameter.

If an icon is dragged on the icon of an executable, the executable isstarted with the icon list as a parameter.

You can group icons, either by dragging a rectangle around them or byclicking each individual icon while pressing the CRTL key. Theobjects thus selected will be highlighted. If now you activite the contextmenu (see below) by clicking on one of the highlighted items, theactions that you select, e.g. 'delete', will be executed for allhighlighted items.

the context menu

Pressing the righthand mouse button while the pointer is on thedesktop, an icon or a filewindow, will cause a small menu (thecontext menu) to pop up. Also, an oval will appear on thedesktop or window, indicating which object exactly is referred to.The context menu contains the following options. If they are followedby an arrow, the option will contain a new pop-up menu with moreoptions. If an option at a certain point is not applicable, it isgreyed out.

DFM for X =>

Info

Shows info about DFM. (Version number, author etc.)

Help

Shows this manfile in a xterm.

XTerm

Launches a xterm window.

Add new programs

A new window opens where you can type the nameof a program. DFM will create a link to the program. This link will becreated in the "~/.dfmdesk/" directory and after a few moments willappear on the desktop as an icon. You may move or copy this link toany other directory (see 'launching' and 'save settings').

Save positions/info

All information will be saved in the ".dfminfo" file (see 'save settings')

Quit DFM

Sends a 'killall dfm'. All instances of dfm will be killed, includingthe icons on the desktop.

Quit X

Sends a 'killall X'.

Open =>

Program

This is the same as a double click on an icon. If after selecting thisoption you don't press the righthand mousebutton on an icon, dfm willignore this selection.

XTerm -e ...

DFM opens the program in a xterm. If you don'tpress the righthand mousebutton on an icon after this selection, dfmwill ignore this.

Without extension

DFM opens the program ignoring theshellcommand specified. If you don't press the righthand mousebuttonon an icon, dfm will ignore this.

Normal view

DFM opens a folder in normal mode (icons). Ifyou don't press the right mouse on an folder icon, dfm will ignorethis. The shellcomand is "dfm dirname"; an active dfm will use the current folder.

Structure view

DFM opens a folder in structure mode (tree). If you don't press theright mouse on an folder icon dfm will ignore this. The shellcomand is"dfm dirname -stucture"; an active dfm will use the current folder.

Detail view

DFM opens a folder in detail mode (more info). If you don't press theright mouse on an folder icon dfm will ignore this. The shellcomand is"dfm dirname -detail"; an active dfm will use the current folder.

Go up one folder

DFM opens the folder which is above this one in normal mode.

Options

An options menu is opened for the dfm-object that the mouse pointsto. This can be the desktopbackground, a directory window or anicon. Please refer below to Option Windows.

Create =>

Folder or File

Update

rereads the directory.

Re-recognize

deletes the Shellcommand(s) of the selected file(s) and reads the .dfmext file again, updating the shellcommands(s) in the process.

Select all

Select all objects in the window or on the desktop.

Delete

Delete the selected item or items.

Sort =>

With this option sort the icons or objects may be sorted on one of thefollowing keys: name, type, extension; date ascending or descending orsize ascending/descending.

Arrange This option arranges the icons on the desktop or in the

window in a grid as specified in the Desktop Option Window(below). Icons that have 'Prevent moving' checked, will stay wherethey are.

Option Windows

There are four types of option windows: the File-Options window, that appears when an icon is clicked on with the righthand button; the Multiple-File-Options window, that appears if you select more than one icon; the Window-Options window, that appears when a dfm-window is clicked and the Maindesktop-Options window, when the background (desktop) is clicked.

Window-Options

There are two placeholders for filenames; one for the directory nameof the folder and one for the the backgroundpixmap or color. Justselect the "pixmap" button or the "Color" button. The file window alsohas two checkbuttons: "Windowinfo will be saved" and "Iconinfo will besaved". Windows in the "~/.dfmdesk/" Path always have activatedbuttons. The desktopbackground doesn't have these buttons, but theyare activated, too. DFM automatically select "Windowinfo will besaved" on the new window if you launch a link from the "~/.dfmdesk/"Path and the current window is in icon mode.

If "Windowinfo will be saved" is activated DFM will save the windowposition and the name of the backgroundpixmap. DFM will do it if youselect 'Save positions/info'.
If "Iconinfo`ll be saved" is activated DFM will save all info aboutthe icons in the associated window. This info includes icon, positionand command. This also is the action taken by DFM when you select 'Savepositions/info'. Note: If you don't select this DFM won't savethe iconinfo if you change an iconposition or the shellcommand! If youselect this DFM will ignore the ".dfmext" file the second time DFM isstarted (see 'files').

Maindesktop-Options

The setting of the color and background are the same as in the 'fileoptions window'. The four round buttons describe how icons will bearranged ('Sort'). The four inputfields below the round buttonsdescribe the boundingbox in which icons will be arranged. The 'Gridtight' describes how icons will be placed on the desktop if they aremoved. The last two checkbuttons show where the contextmenu of thewindowmanager is available.

File-Options

At the first two lines you see the full pathname of the file and anoptional 'rename'-field. The icon Pixmap to be displayed for thisdirectory can be entered in the next line. You can also change theicon by pressing on the pixmap and entering a separate menu window. Acheckbutton below that level gives the opportunity to prevent movingthe icon after a re-arrangement of the desktop. Below this line thereare info on Size, 'Link to' and Time of the file. You also can changethe shellcommand that is executed by doubleclicking the icon. '!0!' isthe parameter for the filename, it must be there. (see launching) Thelast are the rights. You can change the rights only if you have thepermission. (You can't change the modeline of a link)

Multiple-File-Options

Here you can set options for more than one file, with a single step.

BUGS/LIMITATIONS

Any bug reports or comments will be appreciated!

DFM has run on the following combinations of operating systems, windowmanagers and X implementations:

Linux 2.0.22 , 2.0.30; MkLinux (PPC); IRIX 6.2 , 6.3; SunOS 5.5.1

X11R6 1,4,8,16,32 Bit color. Accelerated X.

fvwm95, fvwm2, fvwm, olvwm, olwm, twm, mlvwm (apple-mac look andfeel), AfterStep, bowman, WindowMaker, mwm, 4Dwm, wm2, wmx (butwithout multiple desks) Enlightenment DR_0.9 (wm) (DFM runs only ifthe wm already have been started: add "dfm" in the "system_config/exec" file).

xearth, xfishtank (with the -d option), xmountains, xv (in the rootwindow), xsnow (but makes my computer slow;IRIX works in normal speed)

DFM doesn't currently run with:
amiwm (amiga windowmanager)

AUTHOR

Copyleft Achim Kaiser...

Thanks to: for (and more)
-----------------------------------
Anuj Dev Sun Testing
Henning Ehlermann tar copy idea
Scott Sams picture icons
html-netscape icon
George R. Welch the extension manager
Hans Paijmans man-page

(random order)

This document was created byman2html,using the manual pages.