SfinxLite TWM configuration

Introduction to TWM

The window manager is the program that takes care of moving and resizing windows. It also adds the familiar title bar to a window, and takes action when a mouse button is pressed in the background (root window).

In order to perform these tasks, the window manager has a configuration file called .twmrc. When your account was created you (or the system manager) made a choice for one of the standard .twmrc files that are available under SfinxLite :

• SfinxLite system (with a Open Windows / Motif look)
• Old Sfinx
• [other configurations may be added when needed]

Advantages

• Mouse bindings, menus and buttons resemble an Open Windows / Motif mixture, so it is easier to learn for those who already know one of these interfaces.
  Actually, this setup is also somewhat similar to SunView and MS Windows.
• The use of mouse buttons is consistent :
  • left = select
  • middle = modify / deselect
  • right = menu
• All functions are available from one menu with submenus (some may find this a disadvantage), but the OldSfinx menu layout is also still supported.
• The configuration is easier to modify by the user.
• More functions are directly available from the window frame.
• Considerable increase in startup speed.

Disadvantages

• There is some work involved with the change for those who are used to the old Sfinx interface, but this has been greatly minimized.
• On average one needs more submenu choices before reaching a specific action (On the other hand, the most frequently used functions are available from the window itself).

Click here to get a tour of the menus.