The fvwm window manager

This document describes the default fvwm configuration in DAMTP.

What is fvwm?

Fvwm is a window manager: a program which defines the look of the title-bar and other window decorations. It also provides ways to move, close and resize windows, and start new programs. Fvwm can be configured to look somewhat like certain other window managers. It offers a 3-D look to window frames and a virtual desktop, as well as menus.

Here is a screenshot (with link to a larger (800x600) version) of an example desktop:

medium fvwm desktop

Basic elements

Most windows have a title bar with several buttons, and a border.

xterm window

Here is a small example of such a window. The title-bar contains the name (xterm in this case), and 4 buttons. The leftmost control button brings up a menu of operations on this window. On the right of the title bar, the arrow down button iconises the window (reduces it to a small icon), the arrow up button maximises the height of the window, and the box button on the right maximises the window completely to fill the screen. The border can be used to resize the window: the corner pieces allow both vertical and horizontal resizing, while the sides and top permit resizing only in one direction.

A number of actions are defined for mouse clicks on parts of the window. Note: in the following Left-mouse means click the left-hand mouse button. Meta means hold down the key marked Meta, Alt, Extend char, or marked with a small diamond while clicking (if you don't know which key is Meta on a particular keyboard places ask us).

  • Left-mouse in the title allows the window to be moved, and brought to the front.
  • Middle-mouse in the title or borders brings up the same menu as the leftmost title button.
  • Right-mouse in the title or borders brings the window to the front, or pushes it to the back if it is already at the front.
  • Meta-Left-mouse or Meta-Right-mouse inside the window allows the window to be moved.
  • Meta-Middle-mouse inside the window iconises the window.

In addition to using the mouse on parts of windows, the Left-mouse, Middle-mouse and Right-mouse can be used on the background (root window). These bring up various menus.

Virtual desktop

In the bottom right hand corner of the screen you will find four buttons and a view of the virtual desktop.

virtual desktop view

The top of the pager has four of buttons, which start up a particular application or have local effects.

  • Help starts up a web browser pointing at local computing information.
  • Mail starts up the pine mailer in an xterm.
  • Edit starts up the Emacs editor.
  • Page toggles what happens when the pointer moves off the edge of the current desktop (off by default).

The bottom area shows a reduced view of 9 screens worth of windows. The default window is in the top left and will be the only one to show any windows by default. You can move to a different area by clicking the mouse in another part of the pager, or by moving the pointer off the screen in the direction you want to scroll (if allowed by the Page button above). There are also keyboard shortcuts for moving around for those who prefer to not use the mouse - see the fvwm man page for more details.

Menus and things

fvwm menu

The Main Menu menu allows a selection of applications which can be started by selecting the appropriate entry.

  • Web browser starts up a web browser
  • Help starts up a web browser pointing at local computing information.
  • Mail (Pine) starts up the pine mailer in an xterm.
  • Emacs editor starts up the Emacs editor.
  • xterm starts up the an xterm.

The other items all bring up further menus. To select one of them move the mouse towards the right of the appropriate menu item.

  • The Tools menu lists common applications which you may often want.
  • The Hosts menu lists all the public machines in DAMTP, and has sub-menus for each group listing their machines.
  • The Window Ops menu provides window specific and screen related operations such as Destroy and Refresh Screen.
  • The Logout menu lets you log out, or start a different window manager instead.

Further information

For further information about fvwm see the on-line manual pages. The default configuration file can be read as

/usr/damtp/defaults/.fvwmrc

If you want to alter the menus etc, then take a copy and edit it. Note that if you do this you won't get to see changes made to the default setup.

There is also a description of the rest of the default X setup.

If you need more detailed information, please contact the departmental computing helpdesk