Guide to X11/Window Managers/aewm++
Type: stacking Language: C++ Licence:
The aewm++ window manager is minimalistic and is controlled entirely by the mouse. It contains no visible user interface components except window frames. It is based on aewm, but rewritten in C++.
Operation
[edit | edit source]Raising windows
[edit | edit source]A window can be raised by clicking on it.
Resizing windows
[edit | edit source]Resizing of windows is achieved by applying a middleclick event to the meta button.
Showing and hiding windows
[edit | edit source]Windows are hidden by applying a rightclick event to the titlebar button. Windows can be shaded by applying a middleclick event to the titlebar button.
There is no iconification of hidden windows, making it necessary to apply a rightclick context event to the desktop to restore the window via the tasklist.
Context events
[edit | edit source]The following context events are available from the desktop:
- Left Click - Launch menu
- Middle Click - Task List
- Right Click - Open a terminal
The following context events are available from the meta button:
- Left Click - Hide Window
- Middle Click - Resize Window
- Right Click - Hide Window
The following context events are available from the titlebar:
- Click and Drag - Provides window motion
- Middle Click - Shade and unshade window
- Right Click - Move to workspace (0 to 3)
- Double Click - Maximize, Restore or Unshade Window
Features
[edit | edit source]Features of the aewmpp window manager include:
- Stacking windows
- Written in C++
- Window decorations include borders and titlebars
- Useless borders
- Titlebar has a meta button
- Click to focus
- Program launch via a context event on the desktop
- Context operations on the desktop, titlebar and meta button
- Task listing via a desktop context operation
- No menubar
- Multiple desktop support
- No theme support
- No grouped windows
- No desktop icons
- Lightweight (rated as 2 on the hammer scale)
- Requires a 3 button mouse
Review
[edit | edit source]The aewm++ window manager is awkward to use because it is necessary for the desktop to be visible in order to launch programs and to show hidden tasks.
The aewm++ window manager is not accessibility friendly because it does not provide keyboard equivalents for its operations and is not touchscreen friendly because it requires a multibutton mouse.