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web commit by reed: an introduction to the desktop environment

This page gives a brief overview of the light-desktop features. It is a quick getting started guide.

## Run it

* Currently the main packages are in pkgsrc-wip.

* Install the wip/light-desktop metapackage. On NetBSD, this will also install the netbsd-light-desktop-default-settings package.

* It uses dbus:  /etc/rc.d/dbus start

* Run it via your .xinitrc or .xsession:  start-netbsd-light-desktop

(One known issue depends on glib2 version. An unlock of already unlocked mutex. Reported upstream.)

## Introduction

* The pcmanfm file manager controls the desktop. Files in ~/Desktop are displayed as icons.
* .desktop files in the ~/Desktop are used as application launchers.
* The window manager is openbox; but right click menu is controlled by pcmanfm by default.
* Right-click on desktop can choose Desktop Preferences which can change wallpaper and more.
* The taskbar aka panel is on the bottom.
* Left button on taskbar is the menu.
* Right-clicking on a menu entry gives you the option to add to the desktop.
* .desktop files installed on system should be automatically used for menu entries.
* To add menu entry, just add foo.desktop file to ~/.local/share/applications/.
* To change menu entries (or categories), go to menu of applications, and right click on item and choose Properties. (This runs the
lxshortcut editor.)
* The Run command will change icon and do type-ahead if it recognizes beginning of command entered.
* Right click on the panel for "Panel Settings".
  * Panel settings allow you to resize and position the panel, change its appearance, added choices to the panel, and more.
  * You can have multiple Application Launch Bars on the panel which can be configured to add various applications for quick launch via button on panel.
* The panel also has launchers for file manager and browser; minimize all button, pager, taskbar, clock, and shutdown button.
* The Monitor Settings via Preferences on menu offers a xrandr-based GUI.

Running programs are:

* dbus-daemon
* dbus-launch
* openbox
* pcmanfm
* menu-cached
* lxsession
* lxpanel

Various keys are custom controlled by openbox. Not tested yet and has some controls not installed yet.

## Normal Desktop

 *This is not complete yet*

The reference implementation of the desktop also offers:

* nm-applet embedded in notification area; to show and configure wired and wireless connections and detected networks.
* xfce4-power-manager to show battery state in notification area.
* shutdown button runs logout gui: suspend, hibernate, logout, cancel

The reference implementation of the desktop also runs:

* xscreensaver
* policykit-1-gnome/polkit-gnome-authentication-agent-1
* /usr/lib/xfce4/xfconf/xfconfd
* gvfsd
* update-notifier
* notification-daemon
* gvfs-fuse-daemon
* gconfd
* gvfs-gdu-volume-monitor
* gvfs-afc-volume-monitor
* gvfs-gphoto2-volume-monitor