Re: Gnome window sizes.
On 6 Feb 01 16:27:39 GMT, Hans <hansfong@zonnet.nl> wrote:
>Running (Helix)Gnome at 800x600 produces mostly horribly large windows,
>especially the terminal. I looked at the Gnome website and they basically
>say you have to live with that. Being stubborn: has anyone found a solution
>for this? --Hans
There are a few things you can do, mainly involving reducing font
sizes. First off, edit your /etc/X11/XF86Config[-4] to make sure that
75dpi fonts are searched *before* 100dpi fonts. The rationale for this
is that some apps (notably Netscape and the Gnome Control Center)
specify fonts in the UI in points instead of pixels. By definition a 10
point 100dpi font is larger (in pixels) than a 10 point 75dpi one. This
change should at least let you see the OK button in the Netscape
preferences dialog without hiding the panel.
In the Control Center Theme Selector, check Use Custom Font and reduce
the size of the default font. I find a 12 pixel font to be acceptable,
but you know your own eyesight best. While you are there, consider
changing the GTK theme to one that is a bit less bulky. I use XenoThin
from gtk-engines-xenophilia (only in unstable, but it builds from
source on a potato+helix machine with no complaints).
Try installing grdb. This will apply your GTK theme settings to non-GTK
apps and helps with ones that don't have easily configurable UIs.
Try reducing the panel height to 24 pixels. You could also configure it
to auto hide (I prefer not to, to keep the clock and other monitors
visible). Otherwise leave the hide buttons active but disable the
arrows so they take less space. If you have launchers on the panel try
putting them in one or more drawers. If you have a desk guide applet
think about whether you really need it, or if you can get by with fewer
workspaces. You can also change the geometry to use 2 rows of panes.
Configure the clock applet (if you use one) to use 24 hour time and
show the date in a tooltip. Expand the task list applet to fill any
space you create.
Gnome Terminal can be slimmed down considerably. Change the preferences
to hide the menu bar; if you ever need it you can bring it back with a
right click. While you are there reduce the font size and consider
hiding the scroll bar.
Window decorations a big space hog. Try different WM themes to see
which waste less space. If all the slim ones are too ugly you may want
to adapt an existing theme by reducing images and border sizes. This is
on my own todo list.
I regularly install potato + helix gnome on 800x600 laptops (did one
only yesterday) and I use all these tricks to make better use of the
screen real estate.
Frank
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