Puppy Linux Discussion Forum

mahaju · Posted: Mon 05 Mar 2012, 02:27 Post subject: What are JWM and openbox?

And what happens if I switch between the two?
I don't see much difference

bigpup · Joined: 11 Oct 2009 Posts: 12441 Location: S.C. USA

They are different window managers.
They both do the same basic thing.
Each has it's own specific features, but they are not that much different.
The best example is what settings can be changed.
JWM - use "JWM configuration"
Openbox - use "Openbox config" and "Fbpanel configuration"

Example screen shots:

Lobster · Posted: Mon 05 Mar 2012, 03:35 Post subject:

Gosh bigpup, our support level just reached a new high Smile

Perfect answer.

More technical info and choices here
http://puppylinux.org/wikka/WindowManagers

mahaju · Posted: Mon 05 Mar 2012, 03:48 Post subject:

Thank you for the useful information
I used to think it was just something like changing the theme (such as the default icons) until I noticed that there are different applications for doing things like those (changing the appearance of icons, changing background) so I was just wondering what it actually was
What confused me more was when I changed form the default Openbox to JWM I didn't didn't see much difference
I think it changed changed the screen resolution slightly and the start menu edges look a bit more sharp I think, but other than that there is no noticeable difference

darkcity · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 2549 Location: near here

@BigPup great answer. its the sort of stuff we need to fill the wiki with Cool

@mahaju

Openbox let you set the mouse and keyboard bindings, that has be ultra useful when using Inkscape Twisted Evil

sfeeley · Joined: 14 Feb 2010 Posts: 814

This is a decent explanation as to what windows environments are. Note that the ones discussed in the article aren't in puppy by default (although some can be installed)--but its still an intro to the concept.
http://lifehacker.com/5762081/wtf-desktop-environments-gnome-kde-and-more-explained

Also, openbox has themes that can be installed (I suppose there's some for JWM--I just don't see them)
http://box-look.org/index.php?xcontentmode=7402

In short, both are basically slightly different toolkits for tweaking appearances. If you're happy or don't care, pick one and ignore.

darkcity · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 2549 Location: near here

performance is another issue I believe JWM is slightly faster ; -)

amigo · Joined: 02 Apr 2007 Posts: 2647

They are called window managers. They draw the windows you see -with the title bar, the borders and sometimes re-size corners at the bottom. They also usually setup keyboard-shortcuts. A full desktop environment includes lots of other things. Purists even reject having a panel or taskbar as being part of the window manager.

ICPUG · Joined: 24 Jul 2005 Posts: 1305 Location: UK

For the sadists among you who may wish to explore further, here is my take on the Anatomy of a GUI back in 2009.

Warnings:
Lots of text.
Discusses things other than Puppy (Windows, MacOS, The Amiga, ...)

http://www.icpug.org.uk/national/features/091122fe.htm

Aitch · Joined: 04 Apr 2007 Posts: 6815 Location: Chatham, Kent, UK

Nice, ICPUG

I also explored the website - some interesting stuff!

Aitch Smile

Moose On The Loose · Joined: 24 Feb 2011 Posts: 778

Peterm321 · Joined: 29 Jan 2009 Posts: 404 Location: UK

I find Openbox is a small and fast window manager. In terms of speed, I dont see a difference with JWM. I like the option to undecorate a window (remove the titlebar for a small increment in screen space). Alt+Tab switching displays fairly large easy to read icons along with the program titles.

`f00

Pennys worth

Both jwm and openbox are fine window managers. It all depends on your style as to which may suit you better (having both is the best option, imo).

Jwm has more features natively included (trays especially) and runs a bit lighter because of that. Window focus can be click or sloppy but there is no autoraise option (as far as I'm aware of). Control options tend to be not as extensive for most users. Basically it's simpler in many ways but still offers a very useful feature set in a light wm.

Openbox is more compliant (EWMH and such) but may need add ons if you want a taskbar, pager, systray and so on. Natively it uses a client menu for iconified windows. The configuration gui is easy to use but themes are a bit more complex to create. It has autoraise with delay but no outline option for moving/resizing windows to point out a few other basic differences from jwm. A much more complete set of control binds in one place (~/.config/openbox/rc.xml) plus a default top, 'root' and bottom section for the main menu.

Either can be fast and lean or loaded up with other stuff. Both can look great.

Survey says:
openbox is Capped less often
Joe's Window Manager is rarely referenced as such

Not quite 2¢, but hth Smile

stu91 · Posted: Sat 11 Aug 2012, 13:14 Post subject:

A great feature of Openbox is the pipe-menu - these are menus that are generated on the fly by scripts.

Here is a good write up explaining openbox pipe-menus:
http://pclosmag.com/html/Issues/201110/page01.html
And here:
http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/opensource/four-great-pipe-menus-for-openbox/2720?tag=content;siu-container