5.10. Graphical Workspace Manager (GWM)

Same named graphical tool was historically present usually on Sun Solaris. Graphical Workspace Manager of NsCDE is FvwmPager and FvwmScript based version of GWM. It implements most of the functions of CDE GWM which are applicable in NsCDE and FVWM environment. It also implements some NsCDE and FVWM specific options.

Figure 40. Graphical Workspace Manager - GWM

Graphical Workspace Manager - GWM

This tool can be called from Root Menu, from Applications->NsCDE submenu of the Workspace Menu, Meta+Alt+Home keybindings, and by default from the 7th Subpanel of the Front Panel (Desktop Settings).

GWM enables user to see all of the NsCDE workspaces and pages, navigate pages and workspaces with mouse, select windows with middle mouse button, and taking actions on them with Window menu actions.

With actions on the Workspaces menu, it is possible to:

With actions on the Window menu, it is possible to:

Help menu contains information about GWM keybindings and GWM manual (this one).

Key Bindings:

5.10.1. Graphical Workspace Manager Options

GWM Options dialog can configure some aspects of the GWM itself and GWM pager behaviour. By configuring the later, a stripped down version "GlobalPager" is also configured.

The following controls can be configured:

  • Show Workspace Backdrops - if unselected, only a CDE palette colors associated to this workspace will be drawin in the workspace pager background. Default is selected.

  • Highlight Current Workspace Page - current workspace background will be colored in active window color. By default this option is off, it is however used by LocalPager.

  • Workspace Names Above Workspaces - workspace names are drawn as headers of the workspaces. Default.

  • Workspace Names Below Workspaces - workspace names are drawn as footers of the workspaces. Not default.

  • Number Of Visible Rows - when this number is smaller, workspaces are firstly drawn horizontally, then vertically. If this number is 1, workspaces are all in one row. Biggest number possible with current number of workspaces used will produce vertical GWM application with all workspaces in one column.

  • Desired Workspace Width (Ratio) - number between 10 and 20. By default a calculation is done to show bigger GWM on higher screen resolutions and more compact smaller on lower screen resolutions. If this number is too big, and in combination with one-row or one-column setup with 4 or more workspaces on lower resolutions can produce wider window that cannot fit on the screen. Experimenting is enocouraged however.

  • Show Window Names In Balloons - weather to show small marker balloons on mouse over windows action in the pager. Default is on.

  • Respect Window Skip List - do not draw in the pager windows which are part of the FVWM skiplist (like Front Panel, Gkrellm, transients etc ...)

  • Show Small Icons Inside Windows - if selected (the default) it will draw mini icons of applications present on the workspaces.

  • Show Names Inside Windows: icon names of the windows will be written in pager windows frames with very small font instead of mini icons. Not default.

Figure 41. Graphical Workspace Manager: Options

Graphical Workspace Manager: Options

Options Dialog Key Bindings:

  • Escape: Closes GWM Options dialog without taking any action

  • Tab: Cycles configurable item elements from top to bottom of the window

  • Return: Takes the action as if OK button was pressed.

  • Sun Help and F1: Displays this help text, like Help was pressed.